Monday Distinction #11
Growth vs. Development (it’s all about support and systems)
This week is all about personal development, starting with today’s Monday distinction. Personal development is a critically important and an often overlooked ingredient for accelerated success in your professional life. Why? Because … you cannot properly focus on your professional goals if your personal foundation is not strong. Personal baggage will always weigh you down and cause you to lose laser focus and great momentum. It is our goal to spend this week providing you with information that will facilitate your personal development - and not merely your personal growth. What’s the difference you ask? Let’s delve into today’s Monday Distinction to find out.
Growth
Growth is all about advancement, maturity and upward movement -but does not encompass a structure to support sustainable upward movement. Without a supportive structure, growth may not lead to lasting success. For example, many businesses that have experienced a great growth spurt without proper operational systems in place have failed miserably. There are a number of businesses that got great publicity from being one of Oprah’s Favorites, but were unable to handle the surge of new customers. They can tell you firsthand how growth, without proper supportive systems, is most often not a good thing.
On the same accord, a person can experience great growth from being exposed to new ideas - but, will likely revert to previous bad/unproductive behavior if he does not have in place a system/structure to support his continued growth. This is evident from observing the actions of those fighting addictions without a supportive base.
Development
Development is simply growth accompanied by a supporting structure. Development is sustainable and thus measureable over an extended period of time. Coaching is just one way to support your personal and professional growth thus enabling you to develop a stronger personal foundation and professional life.
Today’s Tip For Upward Action
Let’s always plan for personal development (through proper support systems) and not merely growth.
Until next time … Take GREAT Care!
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
This was a really interesting perspective. Overall I think it *may* simply be a question of semantics, but nevertheless it is an interesting way to describe to similar but differing concepts.
I agree - without being satisfied in your personal life, how can you be satisfied in your professional career.
Do you think that sometimes professional ‘drive’ and ambition comes from personal factors though?
Hi OneStepAheadCV - Absolutely! Our core personal values and insecurities influence all other aspects of our lives - from professionals goals to relationships with others.
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