By Guest Blogger Becky Robinson
Note from Jennifer: Today’s post is by my friend Becky Robinson, whom I’ve enjoyed getting to know over the past four years. I’m featuring this guest post because I’m fascinated by the topic of a “growth mindset”. Plus, the book that inspired this post (see below) is a great read.
My favorite way to measure my growth is to talk with people who have journeyed with me a while, because often people who watch us from a distance can more clearly see the growth in our lives than the people who interact with us day to day.
People who see us day to day may become blinded to the slight, incremental changes in our skills, abilities and accomplishments, while people farther removed are able to see our progress over time and give greater encouragement about our growth.
Do you ever feel stuck and unable to see your growth?
If so, consider these tips for looking at your own life from a growth perspective.
Take a step back. Instead of looking at your current situation and struggles, set aside some time to reflect about your journey from a long term perspective. Think about your life ten years ago, five years ago, one year ago. Make a list of specific accomplishments, personally and professionally during that time. What struggles have you successfully overcome? What connections have you made? How are you different today than you were in the past?
Read your own writing. If you have kept a blog or journal, read some of your writing. Your past words will be a clue to your journey, and you may be able to get a glimpse of the growth you’ve experienced in your thoughts, attitudes, perspectives, and behavior.
Ask someone else to share their perspective. Spend time with a trusted friend or advisor, someone who has watched your journey. If this person has watched from a distance, they may be even more effective in helping you see your growth. Be specific about the feedback you are looking for from this trusted friend.
Consider goals. If you, after trying the tips above, are still having difficulty seeing the ways you’ve grown, perhaps you are missing metric against which to track your growth. If you create measurable goals for the future, your growth will be more clear to you.
photo credit: Fotolia
Steven Snyder’s book Leadership and the Art of Struggle inspired this guest blog post by Becky Robinson. This week is the official launch of the book. You can buy it on Amazon or read a free preview and learn more at snyderleadership.com.
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