3 Surprising Secrets to Finding Your Next Level
Powerful impact requires self-development.
Those who make a difference trust their talent, expand their skill, and develop their strength.
Lack of self-development is lost potential.
Self-development isn’t selfish when you’re dedicated to serving others.
3 surprising sources of self-development:
Start:
The most important step toward development is starting stuff.
You never finish what you don’t start. Connect the courage to start with commitment to develop yourself. Start because you believe in developing your talent.
Start and grow as you go.
It’s too late if you feel ready.
Tip: Move toward discomfort. Turning from discomfort is turning from the next level.
Irritating people:
Find the next level by expanding your ability to connect with diverse, even irritating people.
There’s coming a day when success will include working with someone you don’t like. You limit your impact by limiting the types of people you get along with.
Irritants develop humility.
It takes humility to work well with someone who irritates you.
Humility extends capacity.
Tip: Focus on the strengths, not the weaknesses, of people who rub you the wrong way.
Delay:
Delay develops creativity. Frustration in response to delay invites you to press harder, but closes your mind to new ideas. An angry brain doesn’t have new ideas.
Delay develops grit when you open your mind to creative ideas.
Tip: Relax while pressing through delay. Ask if there’s another way.
Find your next level by:
- Starting before you feel fully adequate.
- Learning to connect with people who irritate you.
- Opening your mind when you encounter delay.
What enhances self-development?
What prevents people from developing themselves?
In my observations, the biggest obstacle to self development is when someone says, “I know that already”.
That simple thought or belief shuts down any opportunity for receiving input with open mind.
– Ashok Thareja
Thanks Ashok. You nailed that one. Thanks for sharing your insights.
Good evening Dan;
Thanks Dan this one made me think of my Dad. Dad was a master electrician. He could rewire, or rebuild anything from a toaster, to a ‘Blast Furnace’. #1 Starting before you feel fully adequate. Each of us have the capacity to learn, and do, so much more. ‘Fear’ often sidelines us before we ever get started. Fear of the unknown, fear of failure, fear of losing face. Many things hold many people back from reaching their full potential. I remember Dad telling me when I was young, “Steve, if you just stand back looking at the forest, you’ll never see past the tree’s.” I know, it does sound kinda ‘corny’. As I grew older, Dad’s wisdom became more clear as I inherited his drive and determination to never allow intimidation of the unknown to keep me from me ‘frozen in fear’. What a powerful life lesson. I could go on & on with this one. I can say with the utmost certainty, this life lesson taught me there is nothing I cannot learn, or, learn to do, as long as I’m willing to put forth the effort and try. Imagine the opportunities if leaders subscribe to this attitude, this way of thinking. As the saying goes, “the possibilities are endless!”
Cheers my friend & good night
SGT Steve
Thanks SGT. Your comment inspires me. You remind me of my dad who had the confidence to tackle just about anything. Courageous leader enjoy opportunities for growth. Instilling in young leaders the courage to try new things is one of today’s great opportunities. Cheers
Dan, Great post providing keys to growth. The leader that stops growing themselves will eventually have a team that stops growing. When the team stops growing, the organization begins to die.
Thanks Jay. The ripple effect of not growing is dangerous. Thanks for connecting personal growth with organizational vitality.
I believe that stimulation and quality time for yourself enhances self-development. What prevents self-development according to me is past experiences, not living within the present moment and non-honesty with yourself. Thanks Dan.
Thanks Dennis. When I think about lack of growth, I realize I was often blaming others. OR as you gently put it, I was being non-honest. Powerful reminder.
Dan,
Amazing how much we get form our mentors as the SGT Steve references his Dad, amazing how similar our dad’s were may they RIP! They seem to find a way to get their point across and it’s so simple sometimes “The frozen fear” as SGT references seems like we all encounter this fear in life.
Thanks Tim. It looks like Steve’s comment brought back memories. I’m thankful, as you are, for those who modeled the way.
Wow – Steve’s comment is powerful – I think too we can fall into a trap of letting others define us, and that can be dangerous if the influence is negative.
Thanks Bill. At the heart of my journey is learning to define myself rather than being defined by others. Kapow!
Hi Dan,
I read your post while traveling now..a journey about 5 hrs and this reminds me to write you if i’m not extrovert person i would have missed many things which i learnt today from my next co passenger.
Learning never ends in fact its a way road which has no end..i learn leadership is all about serving & being humble..this works well for me all times, i could make him close friend in minute just by a good heart & unlocking myself for him.
i keep reading your posts which inspires me lot and learn about leadership..this helps me to expand my knowledge.
Goals are your destinations in life, objectives are the stops along the way..
Cheers!
Dan thanks for your inspiring articles on leadership. I’m always fascinated by your approach on leadership. Self- development is key to personal growth and contribution. It may not be interesting in the beginning but on the long term it’s worth it.
Inspiring advice!
Overall, a great article. I agree that if you wait until you feel adequate, you have waited too long. I also think that working with people who irritate you, is smart advice. Some personalities may not mesh well, but creative, reliable staff are hard to come by.