11 Likely Reasons Why Growth Isn't Happening For You
- Jun 7, 2023
- 5 min read
No tangible progress in your life lately? These 11 reasons could explain why. You might be least aware of number 8.
The one thing that helps us live a life more than the mundane is growth. Growth is mostly translated into progress which also brings a sense of direction and maybe even fulfillment. However, as one of the leadership experts of our time put it;
"Change is Inevitable. Growth is optional." - John Maxwell
Growth doesn't just happen. If it does not seem to be reachable for you at this time, here are some of the reasons that could explain why.
#1 - You don't care enough about your growth
Before we are taken aback by this statement, let's take time to actually think about it. It's one thing for growth to be a good idea and a whole other thing for growth to be something that we go full out on. The difference between people who are constantly growing and those who don't is intentions.
While one group actually draws its growth plan and starts looking for resources and ways of making it happen, the other waits for chance. Who do you think will be fulfilled in the end?
#2 - The lack of a strong why
It's very exciting to start on a new journey. However, most journeys do not last because those taking it were not clear about why. The same thing applies to growth.
You may want to learn a lot, and maybe even you'll come around to tracking down the courses and scheduling times to take your classes. However, to stay motivated and maximize consistency, you need a strong why. This is where passion and purpose beat mere ideas.
"People don't buy what you do; they buy why you do it." – Simon Sinek (Author of Start with Why)
#3 - Something else matters more at this time
To some extent, timing is also important. When someone is focused on surviving, it is had to draw their attention to a different conversation, such as what will they be doing in 5 years. They just want to get through today. It beats logic trying to save for a future that is unclear.
It is important to check if something seems to be more important at this time. Maybe your health or proper rest is taking more of your time right now, and that is okay. Only draw your attention to it, make peace, and then check when else you could think about growth and re-schedule appropriately.
#4 - Your environment doesn't help much either
"When your room is clean and uncluttered, you have no choice but to examine your inner state. You can see issues you have been avoiding and are forced to deal with them. From the moment you start tidying, you will be compelled to reset your life. As a result, your life will start to change." - Marie Kondo (Author of The Japanese Art of Decluttering and Organizing)
#5 - Have you checked your company lately?
Another part of your environment is the people around you. Yes, your family and friends and also now, the people you follow and listen to online. You have heard it said often that you are a combination of the 5 people you hang out with. If you are not progressing, you might have no reason to because the people around you are just as comfortable as you are.
#6 - Unuseful and unsupporting beliefs
I will never get tired of challenging people to check and analyze their beliefs. Why do you believe what you believe? When you think about progress, what's your excuse and where did you first hear that excuse? Is it still useful?
Manson's law of avoidance;
"The more something threatens your identity, the more you will avoid it." - Mark Manson (Author of The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck)
Mark goes on to explain that you will not only avoid negative things, but you will also avoid positive things such as success, love, and happiness if in some way they threaten your identity. Your identity mostly comes from what you believe about yourself.
#7 - Too little to no information
If you are thinking, 'I don't know how to do it.' I'd say, then find out how. Find someone who is already doing the same thing or similar. Then steal like an artist. The small but very informative book, Steal Like an Artist by Austin Kleon might be a good resource to pick up.
Also, learn to ask better questions. A question like, 'Why I'm I not growing?' keeps you focused on the past. On the other hand, asking 'What can I do to start growing?' opens you out to solutions and possibilities.
#8 - Mental health
For about 2 or so years between 2020 and early 2022, I barely had much progress. I simply did the minimum to put food on my table. I wasn't as intentional with my life and some of you might have noticed I had also fallen off the grid when it came to social media.
Mental health is a crucial topic. What many don't tell you is that sometimes you are struggling to wake up or even doing the normal daily tasks because your mental space is just not okay. Personally, I needed the time to re-center and re-define who I wanted to be moving forward. Most importantly, I had a lot of healing to do. I still do, but at least now I'm able to manage my mental space more productively.
When your mental health is not okay, you may not be able to actively show up as your full self.
#9 - A low self-esteem
I've done a review of the book The 6 Pillars of Self-esteem on my podcast. Listen here.
According to Dr. Nathaniel, the author, self-esteem narrows down to self-respect and self-efficacy. The latter refers to one's belief in their capacity to execute what needs to be done.
How you see yourself shows in how you make your decisions and choices. If your capacity is lacking, start building it. Just because you are bad at it now, does not mean you cannot start learning how to do it better.
#10 - Uncomfortable work is a no-go for you
If there's one thing I appreciate the likes of Alex Hormozi and Tom Bilyeu, both amazing YouTubers, is their honor for hard work. I wasn't the hard-working type in the traditional sense until I heard what these two had to say.
Hard work can be bearable when you have a worthy why. Some of us hate the idea of hard work because it was used to submit us to an authority we didn't exactly agree with. However, when you look at it from a place of using it to mean that you are ready to bet on yourself, then you ease your resistance to it.
#11 - Moving past a previous win isn't easy
One win is not all we live for. Some people do, but after you get it, you realize you still have the rest of your life. So, what's next?
Generally speaking
We think we are stuck, but we are not. Being stuck can be a good excuse, but if we are serious about our growth, we need to be intentional. Simply start where you are. One step at a time is all it takes.
Let me know which one of these highlights speaks most to you in the comments section below.
Comments