Living our best lives first begins with a commitment to personal growth. God didn’t create us for a mediocre life. He created us for an extraordinary and abundant life. I’ve come to the conclusion that the more fully alive we are and the more we live into our full potential, the more God is glorified in our lives and the happier and more fulfilled we are.
I’m determined to become the best version of myself as an expression of gratitude and worship to God. It is an honor to have a heartbeat and breath in our lungs. God did not have to create us, but He loved us into existence. We honor God when we commit ourselves to a lifetime of personal growth. Ridding our lives of things, relationships, habits, mindsets, and distractions, such as the overuse of social media, is essential to personal growth.
This year, I invested in the John Maxwell Speaker Certification program and am reading a collection of his books to teach me how to become the best woman I can and experience personal growth. I’ve learned so much about leadership, speaking, and personal growth.
Maxwell is adamant about creating a growth plan. Here are eight steps to making your own.
Step 1: Create an Inspiring Vision for Your Life
Living an extraordinary life requires a compelling vision for the lives we want to have, especially who we want to become. Defining your vision for your life gives you a blueprint for building a meaningful and fulfilling life. Maxwell recommends writing a personal vision and mission statement.
Step 2: Commit Yourself to a Lifetime of Learning
Read the Bible, create a library of life-changing books, invest in resources, and learn from wise people. Without a commitment to life-long learning, we won’t experience breakthrough.
Step 3: Develop Daily Habits and a Routine for Growth
James Clear, author of “Atomic Habits,” said, “Every action you take is a vote for the person you want to become.” Our habits create our days, and days create our life. Maxwell recommends starting your day with an “hour of power,” which includes 20 minutes of prayer, 20 minutes of exercise, and 20 minutes of learning or studying.
Step 4: Surround Yourself with Wise People Who Bring out the Best in You
I’m sure you’ve heard it said that you become the people you surround yourself with. Be intentional about the people you allow into your inner circle. Rid your life relationships with toxic people or those who do not bring out the best in you.
Step 5: Cultivate Emotional and Relational Intelligence
To live a successful life, we must learn how to become emotionally intelligent, which drives healthy relationships. I suggest reading the book, “Emotional Intelligence.”
Step 6: Embrace Failure as a Teacher to Help You Grow
We must learn to view our “failures” as learning opportunities that will help us make better decisions in the future. Learn to change the way you view failures and see them as a stepping stone to become a better you.
Step 7: Serve and Add Value to Others
At the end of our life, the only thing that matters is our legacy: our impact on the people around us and the mark we leave on the world. Serving and bringing value into people’s lives is essential for a purposeful and joyful life.
Step 8: Evaluate Your Growth and Make Adjustments
Make space to revisit your personal growth plan and consider what you must do to stay on course. Regularly set aside times of prayer and reflection with God to stay the course so you can become the woman you’ve been destined to be.
Visit the personal growth page on John Maxwell’s website and grab some of his books to support you on your journey.
Here are some of his books I recommend:
The Fifteen Invaluable Laws of Growth
Becoming a Person of Influence
The Power of Potential
I hope this post was an inspiration to you. Remember, you’ve been made for an extraordinary life!
