Be Specific in your Personal Growth

Feb01
2013 41 Comments Written by danonleadership

To master a skill or become an expert in your industry requires being specific in your personal growth. Leaders see the best return on their personal growth when they focus their time and effort in specific areas. It excels a leader toward their personal potential. I would like to share with you my specific growth areas for this year:

  • Spiritual- Being a person of faith my desire is to be growing and nurturing my spiritual life (This is an ongoing, year to year growth area). If you’re a person of faith I encourage you to make spiritual growth your primary growth area.
  • Family- I know to lead my family successfully requires an investment in becoming a better husband and father. To learn how to better connect with my wife, raise my child, and lead my house well. We have to remember our home life will greatly impact other areas of influence.
  • Leadership- This is one of my personal strengths so I want to maximize my influence by growing and developing in the area of leadership. I believe anyone (whether it’s a strength or not) would benefit from developing in leadership skills. I know Everyone Can Influence Someone Today.
  • Communication- Effective leadership requires the ability to communicate and connect with others. I plan to become a better communicator by learning how to become a better speaker and actively engaging in public speaking. I have experience in public speaking but want to increase my communication skills (If you’re looking for someone to speak at your next conference or training please contact me so I can send you my speaking proposal).
  • Platform- I have a strategic plan to increase my online platform this year. I know growing and learning in the areas of social media, blogging, and marketing will prepare me for the next level. To increase your online influence requires learning how to better build your platform.

Those are my specific growth areas. I recommend you identify and concentrate on 3-5 growth areas at one time. They should be relevant to your strengths, work competence, and areas that will allow you to be moving toward your dreams and potential.

After you have found your growth areas develop a system to grow and learn every day. In The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth, John Maxwell said “The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.” Great leaders know the importance and value of daily growth. Your growth should include: reading, listening to audio, mentorship, attending conferences, and gaining experience. Remember the more specific you are in your growth areas the better you will develop yourself.

Questions: What are some of your specific personal growth areas? What is your personal growth plan for this year?

Posted in Personal Growth & Development
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  • http://deuceology.wordpress.com Larry Carter

    I’m focused on spiritual growth this year.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Larry, that’s an important area. Thank you for sharing.

  • http://sukofamily.org/ Caleb

    Dan, I like how you included a number of areas because I also believe that our growth is connected to many different things. That’s why you can’t really be a good leader at the work place and a bad leader at home, at least not for too long. I am focusing on growing my skills in writing this year. I am working on two books, hopefully I’ll be able to publish one this year.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Writing is a great growth area. Under platform growth I’ll probably read a couple books on writing. I’m looking forward to reading your books! Thank you for reading and commenting.

  • http://theregoi.com/ floyd

    I love the passion, Dan. And I don’t think anyone ever gets too not appreciate a good reminder. I’ve already planned my business strategy for this year, but need to work on my personal one more. I have planned to a couple really big things with my girls along with spending more time with my wife and them. Thanks for the reminder, brother.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Business strategy is essential. I’m sure you family is going to really enjoy those big events with you. I sometimes write about the basic/common sense stuff just because we all need a reminder of it. Thank you for reading and sharing.

  • http://billgrandi.com/ Bill (cycleguy)

    As a pastor I have to be constantly aware of the communication side of things. Found out I failed recently (when I thought I had informed) so need to work on that. We have also just hired a new youth pastor so it really becomes more important.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      A lot of a pastors time has to do with communication, so I see why your continuing to become a better communicator. At least your seeing what you need to work on after the failure. Some people keep making the same mistake over and over. Thank you for reading and commenting.

    • http://sukofamily.org/ Caleb

      Bill, I’m interested in what resources you might know of for communicating effectively in a church/employee setting.

  • http://twitter.com/LeadingEveryday Juan Cruz Jr

    Dan, all great areas to be specific in growth and be intentional. Spiritual and family are at the top of my list. But also, I have challenged myself to learn Java programming over the next year. It’s an area that’s been of interest for a little while. Awesome post.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      We have the same top two growth areas:) I believe those are the most valuable areas. Good luck with learning Java programming this year. Thank you for sharing.

  • http://www.beyondthesinnersprayer.wordpress.com/ Barb

    This is such an encouraging post, Dan – it makes me want to get out there and grow! This year I’m focusing on growth in the areas of time management and overcoming perfectionism and worrying about what people think. Loving God and others is my first priority – at least I want it to be even when it’s not! – and I know it sounds strange, but these three things seem to be the biggest things getting in the way of that these days.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Those are great growth areas. I know how you feel, making God and family first is challenging at times but it’s so essential. Your on the right track, keep focusing on those areas:) Thank you for sharing.

  • http://www.trailreflections.com/ Chris Peek

    Dan, I’m pursuing personal growth in the areas of following Christ, writing, building my platform, helping my wife build her platform/speaking career/publish her 2nd cookbook, and developing relationships. I’m meeting bi-monthly with my accountability group, as we write down our monthly goals and hold each other accountable in pursuit of our goals.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Chris,

      I think it’s really cool how your helping your wife with her dreams/passions. Whenever I see a post/Facebook comment about you doing so it gives me joy. We need more couples like the two of you. Having an accountability group is a great plan, accountability allows us to do more. Thank you for adding to the topic.

      • http://www.trailreflections.com/ Chris Peek

        Thanks so much Dan! I agree. My wife and I have grown so much closer through working on a shared goal together.

        • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

          Your welcome:) That’s very cool!

  • http://intentionaltoday.com/ Ngina Otiende

    Dan, I love that you’ve put (and emphasized) spiritual growth as the # 1 area. I truly believe that real progress, real life springs from our spiritual connectedness and growth. Without it we are empty and unfulfilled (even if we find ‘success’ in other areas).

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      I totally agree, spiritual growth is essential. It’s an area I need to refocus and make top priority again (which I have). Just last month my wife and myself joined a church small group. Thanks for reading and sharing.

  • http://www.lifeofasteward.com Loren Pinilis

    I want to physically improve (not really GROW, haha – but rather to lose some weight). I want to continue to grow intellectually. I also want to grow as a father and husband.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      HA, I hear you. That’s an area I’m working on as well, not growing but losing a little weight and getting into shape:) Thanks for reading and the laugh.

  • http://www.facebook.com/micky.diaz7 Micky Diaz

    Spiritual growth is definitely TOP PRIORITY! The other 3 areas would be as follows: 1)Platform, 2)Communication, and 3)Leadership. I have noticed in the short period that I have been blogging at Christian Living that my communications and leadership has steadily increased because I have been able to influence so many people from around the world. I also look forward to engaging in public speaking as well someday.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Those are great areas Micky. I know your influence and impact is going to be huge this year. Let me know if you need any help with growing your platform. You should consider attending Toastmasters, I recently joined and it’s been very beneficial. Thank you for adding to the conversation.

      • http://www.facebook.com/micky.diaz7 Micky Diaz

        Thanks for mentioning Toastmasters Dan! We have a local chapter right here in Vineland,NJ. That is something worth considering for sure.

        • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

          Nice, you can always check it out and see how you like it.

  • Bernard Haynes

    My top growth areas are growing closer to christ, spending quality time with my family, becoming financially free, building my business/ministry platform, developing my writing and enhancing my leadership ability.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Great areas Bernard. I also want to move closer to becoming debt free (dang school loans). Your on your way and can’t wait to see you move closer to your dreams this year. Stay growth driven!

  • http://www.lincolnparks.com/ Lincoln Parks

    Wow, my growth plan for this year is not really for me. Its for others to find God and for me to introduce them to him. Then my second goal is to make sure more people are aware of the Network Marketing Profession and take it seriously to know that it can be a viable career option and not just some part time gig.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Great mindset man. At the end of the day our growth helps us but is should benefit and add value to others. The law of sowing and reaping plays into it. I think your on the right track with educating people about MLM, those negative myths need to be broken. Thank you for reading and adding to the topic.

  • http://kimanziconstable.com/ kimanzi constable

    The main part of my growth plan is to start of movement of people that follow their passion and true calling. I’m working towards that everyday!

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      That’s a great result of personal growth bro! I know your going to do big things this year. My goal is to speak at the same conference you are speaking at:) We would blow it up!

  • http://www.mattmcwilliams.com/ Matt McWilliams

    Personal:

    To be discipled for the first time

    To learn to fight fair in our marriage

    To truly learn forgiveness

    Professional:

    To grow my income by 60% from 2012

    To grow blog daily readership by 150% and average comments by 150%
    To hire a VA and get back 5 hours per week while increasing productivity

    5 of those are reflected in my daily routine. The latter being the exception right now.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Those are great growth areas Matt. I’m looking forward to seeing you reach them. Thanks for reading and commenting.

  • http://mattmcmorris.com/ Matt McMorris

    My major goal this year is to do more to bring others to Christ. There is nothing more important in this world than pointing people to Christ. Which means, of course, that in the other areas of my life I need growth goals, because God uses my life and ministry to help point other people to Him.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Amen! Great perspective Matt. Spiritual growth allows us to better advance the Kingdom of God. Thank you for sharing:)

  • http://www.mondayisgood.com/ Tom Dixon

    I am working to grow my platform this year as well as some goals around my personal health. The former is more fun, the latter not so much! Thanks for the transparency you show here, Dan.

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      I hear you. I like the results from working out and not always the discipline. Platform building is always fun. I’m looking forward to watching your platform move forward this year. Thank you for reading and commenting.

  • http://www.borntwolead.com/ TJ Trent

    Dan,

    Thanks for the great article on growth. I cannot stress the importance of growth enough. My personal growth plan this year includes:

    1. Spiritual Growth
    2. Family
    3. Leadership
    4. Communication
    5. Professional Development (Starting my Masters, completing an industry IT Certification, becoming a better Noncommissioned Officer, and applying for the Warrant Officer program)

    • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

      Superbgrowth areas TJ Trent. It looks like we have similar growth areas. It’s great to find other people with the same desire to grow. Keep it up!

      • http://www.borntwolead.com/ TJ Trent

        Dan,

        Thanks again for being a great Battle Buddy!

        • http://danblackonleadership.com/ Dan Black

          It’s good to be on the journey with you.