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Next week, John Maxwell’s new book, The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth will be released. John has spoken about personal growth for many years. He has shared his story about how he became aware of the importance of a growth plan from a very early age. John has benefited from his life long journey to grow, and this book contains insight that we can all learn from.

Law one is “The Law of Intentionality, Growth Doesn’t Just Happen”. I have not yet seen the book, but when I get it in my hands next week, I am sure I will recognize this law as the true foundation to growth.

In most of my jobs, I have met people that seem to wait for things to happen to them. They are waiting for assignments. They are waiting to be taught. They are waiting for someone else to go first. They are waiting, because they don’t know how to start.

Here is the one thing I know about growth. Not many people care about your growth as a person, and that your growth should be the most important to you. Only you are responsible for your plan for your growth. Only you can take the actions you need to grow.

Most people underestimate the importance of taking action today, and taking action every day on growing. A little growth every day adds up to a lot of growth over time.

Barbara Sher said, “Imaginary obstacles are insurmountable. Real ones aren’t. But you can’t tell the difference when you have no real information. Fear can create even more imaginary obstacles than ignorance can. That’s why the smallest step away from speculation and into reality can be an amazing relief. The Reality Solution means: Do it before you’re ready.”

There are some people that always seems to start new projects or new activities with a negative spin. I know people that you can put in any situation, with any challenge, and they will always be the first to tell you why something can’t be done. Yet there are other people that always walk into new situations with a smile and a positive attitude.

Why is it so easy to predict which group somebody will be in? Humans being creatures of habit allow their attitude to be controlled by habit. Creating a habit of having a good positive attitude is simply a matter of deciding to do it.

Challenge yourself to stopping thinking of imaginary obstacles. Find the real obstacles to success and put a positive attitude forward in addressing the real obstacles. You will find that each day will be easier.

Very seldom in life are you in a neutral position. You are either moving forward or slipping backward. You are either climbing up or falling down. The same with the support you provide for your team. Either you are an obstacle or you are removing obstacles.

I remember a community service Saturday where I joined a group of people that were cleaning up and planting the landscape at a public school. One person stood on the sidelines, watching, waiting not really helping. After a bit, I brought the person a shovel, directed him on how he could help, and he jumped in and started working.

Before he started working, even though he was not in the way, he changed the dynamic of the group. Once he started working, the team functioned together better, as a group.

I am sure no one viewed either of us an obstacle that day. But in reality, he had an obstacle that prevented him from getting started. If I had not helped remove it, eventually it would have been apparent as an obstacle. In this situation, if I had been the leader, maybe I also would have been viewed as an obstacle in the path of success.

You can decide today to work on eliminating obstacles. Take an inventory of your projects, and your team. You will find some actions that will help you move forward.

 

There are four common reasons why people fail, and all are the fault of leadership. According to Coaching for Improved Work Performance by F.F. Fournies, people fail because:

1. They do not know what they are supposed to do
2. They don’t know how to do it
3. They do not know why they should do it
4. They have obstacles that are beyond their control.

If your team is not living up to its potential, then here are four area you can check. As a leader you should be helping them.

1. Teach them what they need to do
2. Train them how to do it
3.  Explain why it is important
4. Remove obstacles in their path

At first glance, it does not seem very difficult. However, most of us get involved with aspects of our job other than serving those that work for us. Stay in touch and be the servant leader that they need you to be.