“Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.”—Benjamin Franklin
One of the great challenges with having a growth mindset is to not fall into practices that put one into cruise-control. It is quite easy to make a habit of a morning routine, but not be progressing. Remember the “overload” principle from exercise science—“in order for a body system to adapt, it has to be stressed to a level greater than that to which it is accustomed.” In other words, if we truly adopt a growth mindset (kaizen), we must be constantly raising the bar.
This is easy to see at the gym—you know, the person who trains regularly doing the same exercises at the same weights week after week. We can fall into the same trap of repetition across the dimensions of “well-centered” fitness (Spiritual, Physical, Intellectual, Emotional, and Social). It is easy to do what we know to do without giving it much thought after it becomes a regular habit or routine. It is easy to write the same goals day after day, journal without reflection or introspection, and allow other growth habits, like reading and exercise, to become mundane.
Consider your goals. Are they progressing with regularity? Once a certain habit is formed, are you moving on to the next? Are you continually challenging yourself?
Are your habits becoming too habitual? In other words, are your good intentions losing their luster and effectiveness? If so, charge ‘em up. Doing the same ol’ same ol’ for date night? Do something different. (For me, I just need to get better at scheduling date nights—i.e., being the one to initiate date night.) My wife and I have been very good about keeping up with our nightly “15-minute Check-In”, but we have to be careful that the conversation goes deeper than merely reporting on “How was your day?” I am sure I can go on and create a lengthy list of personal growth activities that are vulnerable to becoming monotonous. We have to keep an eye on these and keep progressive in our growth.
At the start of a new year, we are often in “resolution” mode. Perhaps, we have set some substantial goals for the new year and have an implementation plan in place. If so, awesome! Be proactive, though, and have a progression plan in place. Habits form over time—somewhere between a few weeks to a few months. Form the habit first, then implement a progression. Be intentional. If you notice that you are becoming repetitive, make a small, but significant, change. In due time, change again.
The whole point of having a growth mindset is to grow. Be your best today; be better tomorrow is a never-ending proposition.
It may seem impossible to keep growing, but “baby steps”. The progress may seem small, but, long-term, the change will amaze you. Everyday we come closer to that asymptote of “well-centeredness”. Let’s keep at it as we race through yet another year.
Carpe momento!