THE TIME FOR TRANSFORMATION

For many people, summer is the time to relax, get away, and
generally take it easy. I think of the old song that
celebrates the "lazy, hazy, crazy days of summer."
These are all wonderful connections to summer. Everyone
loves the warmth of summer, but it also makes me think about
when and how (or if!) we schedule time for personal growth.
We know that achievement and success are not related to
intelligence or education. We know achievement is not tied
to income or to age--you are never too young or too old to
achieve excellence. So what makes the difference for highly
successful people?
I believe there are several key strategies that high
achievers have in common, and one of them is a commitment to
personal development. They simply refuse to "settle."
Mediocrity is not an option for them and they constantly
look for opportunities to learn and grow.
Highly effective people put themselves in situations that
test their abilities and give them new tools. They volunteer
for assignments that stretch their skills and teach them new
things. They hang out with experts, and they ask questions.
Highly effective people don't settle for situations that
allow them to grow; they eagerly seek out situations that
require them to grow!
Human beings have always wanted to go further, do more, and
achieve. We have explored the oceans, the skies, and space
itself. We have looked at the smallest cells and the largest
galaxies. This is part of our heritage, part of what makes
us fully human.
And so it is shocking that the average American reads less
than one book per year, and many never read another serious
book after they leave school. It is amazing how few people
attend seminars unless they are required for Continuing
Education credit. I once heard Anthony Robbins say that
fewer than 10% of Americans ever buy an audio program, and
of those who do buy, most never listen to the full set!
I find that astonishing!
One of the easiest, most convenient and most powerful
"secrets" of high achievers is that they work on personal
development. Whether you focus on your work skills, your
parenting skills, investment skills, your health or fitness,
keep growing! For all of our society's fascination with sex
and youth and romance, most of us never even read a book on
intimacy, and think of the potential THAT might hold!
This summer, commit to a program of personal growth. Buy or
borrow three books on a topic you want to study. Get some
recordings that will make you better at your job, or make
you a better spouse, or a happier, healthier person. Then,
READ the books and LISTEN to the audios! Attend a Conference
or schedule a personal retreat. Make this your summer of
self-development. By September, be better than you are right
now! I guarantee, your life will never be the same!
Just one warning – once you get the bug, personal
development can be habit-forming and unstoppable, and
wouldn't THAT be a fine state of affairs?