Maybe you are familiar with that post-January 1st feeling. Your resolution is made, and you are ready to grow into that new, active lifestyle, complete with a gym membership and new athletic clothes. Your energy is high, and you pop into the gym for your first session to get to work. The weights are heavy, but you’re still dedicated! You finish your workout, tired yet confident. One, two, three days go by, and holy smokes. Your legs are so sore you can’t even get up the stairs. What is it going to take to see this through?
Of course, you know it will take consistency and a willingness to challenge yourself. Professional development toward leadership is much the same. It doesn’t happen quickly, and you must be intentional to grow your skill and craft. Uncovering your potential is a long game, but it is achievable with the right mindset.
Consistency is Key
To succeed in growing your professional acumen, you need to start with a clear plan. Choose a time every day that you can commit to growth. Maybe you set to work with your morning coffee and read or listen to instructional material. Find a small patch of time in your day that feels like the best fit, and stick with it.
Long-Reaching Benefits
Consider who benefits when you put the effort toward growing as a leader or professional. You gain new insight, become a stronger version of yourself, and find new ways to support your community. Now consider how your community members might also benefit. They have someone to look up to for guidance as an example of how they too can grow. Customers and fellow team members recognize that you are dedicated, and they are more willing to trust your guidance. Your hard work ripples out to strengthen everyone around you.
Age Does Not Equal Growth
There’s a common misconception that aging automatically equals growth. You can blow out another cake full of candles, but if you haven’t set and fulfilled goals since the last time, you haven’t truly grown anything except older. True progress requires effort and intentionality. Set actionable goals with clear, achievable steps, and follow through.
Growth Is Not Finite
Another dangerous trap is the belief that you’ve achieved enough growth and no longer need to push. Achievement is not static, and if you get too comfortable, that growth can slip. It’s important to make your growth process manageable and steady so it is sustainable, but you shouldn’t enter into it with an end date in mind. There is always work to be done and endless ways to achieve continuous growth.
Growth Opportunities
So what are some options for regular growth? The good news is that today’s technology-heavy landscape offers a wide variety of solutions. If working from the comfort of your office is ideal, you could listen to podcasts, watch videos, or read professional journals. If you want to branch out, you could attend leadership conferences or partner with a mentor or certified leadership coach. There are so many people out there who want to see you meet success. Make those connections, and it will be exponentially easier to continue growing.
The end of 2024 is close, and while you may be ramping up to get back in the gym, consider adding professional growth to your New Year’s resolutions. The process will be challenging and long, but your growth as a leader in your community will make it well worth the effort.
