What Does "Growth" Mean? (And How to Have a Growth Spurt)

Progress. Evolution. Change.

No matter what you call it, it’s something we all struggle with.

Why is that?

We acknowledge that being stagnant prevents us from getting anywhere, yet we refuse to take the steps (consciously or unconsciously) to do anything about it. We can blame our fear of discomfort, our fear of being our true selves, or simply the failure to take personal responsibility, but it’s more than that.

We know that if we repeat the same actions, we get the same results. But our problem isn’t in our actions, it’s in our approach. We focus on what we’re giving up rather than what we’re getting.

So what do you do?

Stop focusing on the behavior you’re avoiding! For example, if you’re trying to abstain from alcohol, biting your nails, or yelling at your spouse, the solution is the same: focus on what you’re adding in, not what you’re taking out.

What are the self-care activities that connect you with your best self? Instead of counting days off something you don’t want, count days that you maintain behaviors that promote health, happiness, and love. It’s much easier to replace an unhealthy behavior with a healthy one, rather than leaving a void with nothing to fill it.

Some of the positive behaviors I’ve used to crowd things that don’t serve me include:

• Meditating daily
• Exercising (at least 5x per week)
• Engaging in one small act of self-care each day (making a cup of tea & lighting a candle, going for a walk, reading a book, etc.)
• Reaching out to a friend everyday
• Cuddling with my dog

Growth isn’t about changing who you are, it’s about embracing who you were meant to be by shedding the layers that held you back and embracing the behaviors that propel you forward.

What does growth mean to you? Share your story in the Comments section below!