Becky S. Corbett, MSW, ACSW & Emily Tevault, MBA
Develop the right attitude, learn more about your strengths, tap into your passion, become more in touch with your purposes, and develop your skills…so you can be all you can be. — John C. Maxwell, Leadership Author
and Speaker
Intentional Growth
Grow with purpose and own your intentional growth. Writing down your goals, identifying the steps necessary to achieve it, and developing a plan will increase your rate of success. Think about a personal or professional goal you want to achieve, implement these tips and techniques and keep growing.
Grow with Intention
Growth needs to be deliberate and purposeful. Making the decision to establish and reach your goals is the first step in your journey. Success requires planning and practice. Be intentional about your growth by identifying where you want to improve, what actions you need to take, and how you will measure your progress.
Identify Where You Are
To know where you want to go, you must first know where you are. Take the time to evaluate and reflect on all your experiences. Identify your values, strengths, passions, priorities, and opportunities that are presenting themselves. Acknowledge where you are, who can support you, and create a roadmap to your destination. This will help you to seize opportunities as they arise.
Prioritize Your Growth
There are only 24 hours in a day. You cannot change the number of hours, only how you use them. Focus on what you can do today to achieve your goals. Schedule at least 15 minutes a day to enhance your development. Every action counts.
Gain Self-Awareness
Each of us has personal preferences regarding how we obtain our energy, communicate, make decisions, lead, and work in a team. We approach conflict, stress, and change differently. The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator® (MBTI), DISC®, and Gallup StrengthsFinder can help you understand your strengths and weaknesses. Knowing your preferences allows you to better understand yourself and how you work best with others, as well as identify growth opportunities.
Get Started
In the
internet age, there is so much information available to us that it makes identifying
the best resources for growth overwhelming. Three steps to get started are: (1)
Determine your potential area of growth, such as increasing your leadership
skills. (2) Identify the leading experts in that area and their resources. (3)
Read books and blogs, listen to podcasts, and follow the professionals on
social media.
Identify Your Goals and Establish a Plan
Setting goals, writing them down, and being accountable to others will support you to move yourself forward. However, achieving goals does not mean you will automatically grow. Goals need to be realistic, challenging, and attainable, while furthering your priorities and values. After each success and challenge, identify what you did well and how you can continue to improve. Create your growth plan by focusing your goals around your priorities.
Increase Your Inner Circle
Surround yourself with supportive and diverse individuals who will contribute to your growth. Ask yourself, “Where can I meet people who are experienced in the area I want to grow?” and “Where can I meet people to push me in new directions?” This includes friends, family, and colleagues. Seek the professional advice and expertise of a mentor and consider participating in a mastermind group with like-minded individuals.
Participate in Learning Opportunities
Most people have opportunities during their career to attend training events or conferences. Before and after each event, ask yourself, “Am I fully taking advantage of the opportunity to learn?” Establish 1-3 ideas that you can move to action after the event, such as presenting an executive summary at an all staff meeting, writing an article for your organization’s newsletter about what you learned, or incorporating a new skill and technique into your daily practice.
Work with a Leadership Coach
Coaching is about sustainable change, and change is necessary for organizational, professional, and personal growth. A coach asks thought-provoking questions that bring awareness and clarity of your opportunities, goals, and commitments. Coaching helps you get where you want to be faster than if you do it on your own. Use your coach to connect your potential with your performance and move your ideas to action.
Grow with purpose by making a commitment, taking action, and being accountable. After reflecting on the tips & techniques, what are you going to move to action?
Prioritize your intentional growth, grow with purpose, and be the leader of your personal and professional development. — Emily Tevault, MBA
For more information about our leadership development and Strengths-Based Coaching services, reach out to us at Info@bscorbettconsulting.com, follow us on Twitter, and read our Move to Action blogs.