There are basically two ways that personal growth happens: gradually or suddenly. I've been in a few debates over the years about whether it's really just one or the other (ironically, on both sides). Do you evolve so slowly you don't notice the changes, or does growth come as a "Eureka!" moment and all of a sudden you're a new person? Here's a life lesson I've learned, though. If someone gives you an either/or choice, it's most likely a little of both. So the real trick to consistent growth? Use both gradual and sudden change. Growth Comes in Many Flavors I've written about the power of gradual, incremental change before. … [Read more...]
Give Yourself Room to Grow
Between the ages of 12 and 18, I delivered the Milwaukee Sentinel. Every week, from Monday through Saturday (the Milwaukee Journal did morning deliveries on Sunday), I woke up at 4:00 am. I'd grab the bundles of newspapers on my porch, insert the ads and the comic strip section, and then make the rounds. It would take me about 2 hours. Then I'd go back to sleep for an hour, get up, and go to school. It was an amazing opportunity, and I'm saddened that it's one that most cities don't have any more. Where else would a 13-year-old get that kind of opportunity? I was trusted to get up on my own every day, perform a valuable service (if … [Read more...]
5 Secrets for Creating Lasting Personal Growth
updated December 2020 I want to learn to speak Spanish fluently. And after 3 years of almost daily Duolingo lessons, I'm getting there. I'd had it on my list of New Year’s Resolutions for almost a decade. Have you realized that New Year’s Resolution is a short-hand way of saying this part of my life that I’ve been trying to change for the last ten years? But when I think about it, I realize that my Spanish, while not fluent, is actually not horrible. I can read esta bien, but my conversational skills need some work still. That’s not great, but considering I took 4 years of Latin in high school, it isn’t bad either. So maybe I … [Read more...]
If I Were 22 I Wouldn’t Try to Change the World
Me giving advice to a 22-year-old is a lesson in irony; because I know that the 22-year-old me wasn't good at listening to other people's advice. I'd like to think that I've gotten a little better over the years, but I'm a work in progress. Feel free to take or leave what I have to say. So I guess that's my first piece of advice: decide on your own who and what to listen to. But after that, I guess my second thought would be: Don't try to change the world - Try to change yourself The earth has been here for over 4 billion years and countless humans have walked its surface. It takes a lot of hubris to think that it needs you to save … [Read more...]