As you lead others in your organization, you pull them along your growth trajectory. That means you need to be growing as well.
I love what poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow said:
The purpose of that apple tree is to grow a little new wood each year. That is what I plan to do.
He saw the purpose of the tree as to grow every year. I see the purpose of a leader as to grow a little every day (along with the myriad of other purposes and needs of a leader).
Your growth matters. You need to take it seriously. It will not only help you but those you lead.
So…
How do you grow a little every day? I’ve got five ways you can do this.
5 Ways To Grow A Little Each Day
1. Read something new:
I’ve found reading to be a great way to grow. And you don’t even have to do a lot of reading to benefit from it. In fact, sometimes, it is better to read a little, process it, and apply what you’ve learned than to consume massive amounts of books every year.
Think about reading 10 minutes or 10 pages every day. Meditate on what you’ve read, apply it, and see the growth it brings!
2. Talk to someone new:
I know not everyone is an extrovert like me, but talking to new people is so beneficial. Everyone has different life experiences. Everyone has had trials, tribulations, and successes.
What if you talked to one new person every day? The talk doesn’t have to be long, involved, or even profound. Yet, if you take the time to talk to someone new, you can get their take on the experiences you’re going through, see life through new eyes, and be challenged to grow.
3. Try something new:
When was the last time you tried something new? For some of you, it may be a long time ago. For others, reading this post may be something new.
Whatever your new is, try it.
You might decide to try running one mile today. You might try reading those 10 pages I just wrote about. You might choose to go on a social media fast for the rest of the day.
Trying something new changes the way you think. It pushes you out of your comfort zone. It makes you grow.
4. Go somewhere new:
We often take the same route to the office, grocery store, and church. These routes are engrained in our minds.
What if you decided to take a different route to one of the places you regularly go?
Research shows taking a different route or finding a new route increases our creativity and confidence. You discover the power to find your own way and see new things.
Maybe it’s not just taking a different route. What if you went to an entirely new place? If you’ve never been to a beach, go to the beach. Soak in the sun, bathe in the water, enjoy the view. Or you might decide you want to go to the local movie theater because you haven’t been in one since childhood. Go there, see what’s changed, and figure out why.
Our growth depends on change.
5. Practice a known skill:
Almost everything mentioned previously has been about trying or going somewhere new. The last thing I want you to do is to practice a known skill.
You may:
- Take 30 minutes to practice the guitar
- Role-play difficult situations from the office
- Run a 5K
By practicing a known skill, you strengthen the skill. You grow the skill.
Don’t be afraid to go out there and practice. The more you practice, the more you grow.
