1. PREPARATION

* MAKE TIME FOR DEVELOPING YOURSELF

Commit to daily learning and be open to the perspective of others.  I ask myself regularly what and who can I learn from today?

* PRACTICE WHAT WE LEARN

Living out what we learn can help us create healthy habits in our lives.

* READ BOOKS, LISTEN TO AUDIO BOOKS AND PODCASTS

Set at least 15-30 minutes aside during your day to read.  Highlight, take notes, post tweets and blog about what you read.  While listening to audio books and podcasts, audibly repeat the narrator, pause and take notes, rewind and replay.

* SET ACHIEVABLE GOALS

Dream BIG, be a VISIONARY, but think STEPS.  Setting small goals helps us achieve real progress.  This also helps us build MOMENTUM and keeps us MOTIVATED and FOCUSED.

* LEARN FROM OTHERS

I recall asking God for a MENTOR in my life not realizing to STOP, LOOK and LISTEN; they are all around me.

 

2. PERSISTENCE

* DEVELOP A CLEAR VISION

Starting with a clear end in mind it can help us charter the course and stay on track when unexpected things occur.

* VIEW OBSTACLES AS CHALLENGES

Simply changing the mental perspective on how we view things can make all the difference.  Rather than an obstacle being a road block for us, viewing it as a challenge can drive us to finding a solution.

* MAKE THE BEST OF TODAY

Progress is not always seen immediately, stay the course.  Part of the PROCESS of PERSONAL GROWTH is sowing seeds that will one day bear fruit.  Just keep sowing, watering, weeding and MAKE THE BEST OF TODAY.

* LEARN FROM YOUR MISTAKES

We all make mistakes and some can lead us to giving up.  Learning from them helps us to move forward, and keeps us trying new things.

* CELEBRATE VICTORIES

They can be used as great reminders of our PROGRESS and also help us PERSIST when things are tough.

 

3. PATIENCE

* PRAY FOR IT

God, often allows trials to come our way so that we can develop PATIENCE.

* USE IT

Use everyday situations such as traffic, commercials,  slow computer problems, long lines in stores to practice PATIENCE.

* BITE YOUR TONGUE

A passage in James 1:19 says “My dear friends, you should be quick to listen and slow to speak or to get angry.”  So often we instantly react to situations or interrupt people speaking because we lack PATIENCE.

* APPLY PRINCIPLES IN PROVERBS

Proverbs 11:19 “It’s wise to be patient and show what you are like by forgiving others.”  Proverbs 16:31 “Patience is better than strength. Controlling your temper is better than capturing a city.”

* CHANGE THE FOCUS

Impatience is self-centered and roots from pride and a mentality that says us we deserve everything immediately.  When we put others first, we become humble. Humility says “it’s not about me so I can wait”.

My prayer is that we understand that PERSONAL GROWTH is a process that comes through PREPARATION, PERSISTENCE and PATIENCE.

From The Heart, Dan Chavez