Today’s Growth Gives Me Potential

Do you have a plan for your personal growth?

Several years ago, I had the opportunity to attend a conference in San Francisco. During my afternoon off, I visited Muir Woods – Ancient Redwood Forest. Located about an hour outside of San Francisco, Muir Woods offers visitors a chance to walk amongst the oldest and tallest trees in the country.

[callout]This post is part of a series based on the book Today Matters: 12 daily practices to guarantee success by Dr. John C. Maxwell.[/callout]

The forest has a rich history, which dates back to serving as the home to the Coast Milwok people. During the late 19th century, Muir Woods became a popular site for hiking clubs. In 1908, the forest was named a national park by President Theodore Roosevelt.

Muir Woods is breathtaking! The trees in the forest range in age from 800 – 1500 years old. One tree is 252 feet tall, and another is 14 feet wide. In addition to the amazing redwoods, the forest is filled with a diverse group of trees and plants.

In addition to the numerous walking and hiking trails, Muir Woods has several educational displays. One of my favorites was a display explaining how arborists determine the age of trees. The rings of a tree serve as a record of the age of the tree. The display also explained the trees would continue to grow as long as the environment provided what the trees needed.

As I rode the bus back to San Francisco, I wondered about the growth and age of the trees. I wondered what conditions were needed to support the growth of the trees. Trees naturally grow, however as leaders, our growth is not automatic. To achieve success, we must continue to enhance our skills.

Jim Rohn said, “In order to do more, I’ve got to be more.”

Are you ready to commit to growing as a leader? In his book, Today Matters, John Maxwell offers the following nine steps to help you grow every day:

1. Identify your potential
2. Make a commitment to change
3. Set growth goals
4. Learn to enjoy the journey
5. Put yourself in a growth environment
6. Commit to grow in some way every day
7. Create a time and plan to grow
8. File what you learn
9. Apply what you learn

To be what we are, and to become what we are capable of becoming, is the only end of life.”

Robert Louis Stevenson

We can not give what we don’t have. To be an effective leader, we must be intentional about growing and enhancing our skill set.

Do you have a plan for your personal growth?

Your leadership guide,
Kim

Dr. Kim Moore | Your Leadership Guide | kimdmoore.com