Ways to Recognize Personal Growth and Value

For the better part of 15 years, I chased the roles and success that I thought I should be pursuing. I measured myself against external standards, trying to climb the proverbial ladder that everyone else seemed to be on. It wasn’t until I stepped into coaching that I truly began to invest in my own journey—one that was aligned with my values, not someone else’s. Letting go of the idea of a single “right” path has been transformative. Here’s what I’ve learned along the way—and how you can shift your perspective to embrace your own journey: 1️⃣ Redefine success on your terms Success isn’t one-size-fits-all. Take time to reflect on what truly matters to you—whether it’s meaningful relationships, personal growth, or making an impact. Define success based on your values, not external expectations. 2️⃣ Appreciate your unique path Your journey is yours alone, with its own twists and lessons. Focus on your personal growth and the experiences that have shaped you, instead of comparing yourself to others. 3️⃣ Practice reflection and self-awareness Regularly check in with yourself: Are you aligned with your values? Are your goals truly yours? Self-reflection will help you stay on course. 4️⃣ Cultivate gratitude Appreciate where you are and what you’ve achieved so far. Gratitude is key to finding contentment and celebrating your progress along the way. 5️⃣ Set personal metrics for success Establish benchmarks that are meaningful to you—whether it’s personal growth, alignment with your values, or overall well-being. By shifting your focus to your own unique journey, you’ll find deeper fulfillment in both your leadership and personal life. There’s no “right” path—only your path.

I was sitting at a dinner in Italy on top of a mountain overlooking the city of Rome yet all I could think to myself was, "is this it?" I remember so vividly. Is this why I worked so hard? Is this why I spent some weeks working a hundred hours? Not to say that it wasn't great. I enjoyed my time and I'm glad that I did that. But I also realized this external recognition was all I was going after. It hit me like a ton of bricks. I had chased success relentlessly. I believed that once I reached the pinnacle, I’d find fulfillment. But there I was, in one of the most beautiful places on Earth, feeling empty. Here’s what I learned about personal growth from that moment: 1. Success isn’t just about achieving external milestones. Align your life with your values and passions. → What drives you beyond material wealth? → What fulfills you on a deeper level? 2. Working hard is important, but working smart is crucial. Balance your hard work with your hobbies. → What hobbies or passions do you neglect because of work? → How can you integrate more of what you love into your daily routine? 3. Chasing external recognition can be a never-ending cycle. Find validation within yourself. → What accomplishments make you feel proud, regardless of others’ opinions? → How can you celebrate your progress in a meaningful way? 4. Personal growth is about enjoying the process. Strive to learn along the way. → What lessons have you learned from your experiences? → How can you apply these lessons to grow further? 5. Your health and happiness should be the priority. Without them, success loses its luster. → Are you taking care of your physical and mental health? → What steps can you take to ensure your well-being is a priority? Sitting on that mountaintop in Rome, I realized that the journey to personal growth is ongoing. It NEVER ends. So, ask yourself: → Are you living a life true to your values? → Are you growing in ways that truly matter to you? Because in the end, it’s not about where you are. It is about who you are becoming. Don’t wait for a mountaintop moment to reflect. Start your journey today. A great place to start? Listen to the Try Life On podcast with Maurice Philogene and me that dropped Friday Here's the link: https://lnkd.in/eb8Su238

It's easy to remember all of the things I've done wrong as a leader, all the learnings and missteps and still today I know I have a lot of growth a head of me. But then I get messages like this. Someone I recruited and hired, managed and promoted and someone I've watched over the years grow and blossom reaches out to remind me of the impact I've had on them personally and professionally. It's so easy for me to focus on the things I've done wrong, and the areas of development that still need developing, but today I will remind myself that despite all of that I am a good leader. So here are my top 5 areas of personal/professional growth over the years: 1) Be Authentic: I no longer pretend to be someone I'm not. I openly share stories and experiences, I own my mistakes and my successes, I can admit when I don't know something and more importantly I ensure my team sees me as one of them to build a relationship built on trust and respect. 2) Be Adaptable: I'm no longer ridged in way of working, I'm flexible and agile. I understand that in ever changing environments I will need to adjust to do what's best in that moment. My way is not the only way ... and is sometimes, not the right way. 3) Be Resilient: Gone are the days of defining myself by my mistakes or failures, I've learned to take lesson from these opportunities and forge forward. I've learned how to cope and lead through trying times and more importantly how to compartmentalize. 4) Be Empathetic: I've learned how to actively listen and internalize while putting my personal agenda aside. I've been more vulnerable, opening myself up to folks to build a strong foundation for relationship development. And I am able to be more compassionate expressing deep care for those around me. 5) Be Self-Aware: I spend more time now then I ever have thinking about how my decisions and actions might impact others. I've learned to slow down before saying or doing things to anticipate the ramifications. I also know my limitations and weaknesses and no longer view those as shortcomings but areas of potential growth. While I am still a work in progress, I know that I've had an impact on people, teams, businesses and customers. Happy Friday!