Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go. T.S. Eliot.

We all need to grow. The evolutionary process of personal growth is part of humankind’s DNA. We are hard-wired to be curious, always hungry for more.

But it isn’t our aspirations or goals that count. It’s the action of striving to reach them that lies at the heart of the process of growing.

That’s where the excitement lies… it’s what makes you want to get out of bed every morning. That’s because the action of striving is a creative, albeit challenging activity.

It’s all about agency. When you are growing, you’re full of energy. One effort flows effortlessly, seamlessly into another. The ensuing sense of accomplishment propels you ever farther ahead, from one achievement to the next. Nothing seems out of reach.

On the other hand, if you stop growing, inevitably your life begins to diminish. When you stop growing, you become stale and dull. Your sense of agency stalls. Worst of all, your courage gets thinner. You start to doubt your own abilities and personal worth, sometimes without even being aware of it. Joy soon gives way to enervating doubt and your horizons start to narrow.

It’s not a happy time. I know because I’ve been there. Have you?

Have you stopped growing?

Ask yourself these five questions:

1. Am I being honest with myself about the direction of my life?
2. Am I proud of myself?
3. What value am I bringing – to my relationships, my work, and any other areas where I need to show up and contribute?
4. Am I living up to my full potential or resting on my laurels?
5. Is what I’m doing right now moving me a way from or towards my highest aspirations?

These are tough questions. It takes a brave heart not just to address them but to refuse to stop searching for the solution(s). It’s not an uncommon experience, especially challenging in today’s crazy, super-stressing, demanding times. Keeping your spirits up and keeping your wits about you is challenging at the best of times.

Good news, though. The fact that you are still reading this suggests that you, too, may well be in the midst of what I call a growth spurt, looking for some fresh ideas and insight and new ways of understanding our ever-changing world and the best way forward on your own path.

But here’s the thing. The process of growing always involves change…. and it isn’t easy, but it’s doable. It takes time, considerable thought, introspection and ultimately finding the courage to do what you know is right for you at this stage. More about all this next week.

NOTICE: Talking about how to deal with and manage change; With this entry I am altering the format of my posts… choosing to divide each entry into shorter, bite-sized segments.

In keeping with our Instagram era, the style will reflect the shorter, bite-size style of my insightful new book, Dare to Be You. Five bold steps to power up your life. The book is on the press as we speak.

Watch this space for news about the location and date of my up-coming book launch – and how you can own your personalized by the author copy.

So…. the adventure continues.

Thanks for reading me all these years. I look forward to seeing you again next week.