Developing Personal Growth for #1stresponders

By Safe Call Now®'s Steve Gutzler

"Personal growth is the greatest separator of those first responders who succeed long-term from those who do not."

One thing I've noticed about leaders in the top 10% in their fields of medicine, business, sales, technology, and education is that they are 100% committed to personal growth. They are "all in" and have "skin in the game."  Do first responders?

As time goes by, the gap that separates those who grow intentionally and those who don't widens. The personal leaders who lack investment in their growth begin to stagnate and witness a decline. Leaders committed to personal growth begin to accelerate and see excess that grows by multiplication. If a leader thinks they are too busy to grow, they will witness a lack of achieving their goals.

Warren Bennis put it this way, "it is the capacity to develop and improve their skills that distinguish leaders from followers." So the game changing lesson is simple and powerful: if you want to lead the field and super charge your career, stop waiting… and start growing. 

What got you where you are today will not get you where you want to go tomorrow.

I love the way Chuck Swindoll expresses the idea of personal growth: "Light won't automatically shine upon you nor will truth silently seed into your head by means of Rocking chair osmosis. It's up to you. It's your move."

A personal leader's growth plan requires:

1.       Determine an area of focus - your area of growth

2.       Set aside time to grow - put it in your calendar

3.       Find the best resources available - books, blogs, audio, on-line resources

4.       Commit a small portion daily - don't overcommit, but get consistent

As I've committed to my personal growth through daily reading and audio listening that my focus, energy, and productivity have increased substantially.

Make this the season of personal growth. It's up to you. It's your move!