Gail Sheehy, an American author, journalist, and lecturer said, “If we don’t change, we won’t grow, and if we don’t grow, we’re not really living.”

Even though you stop growing in height at a particular age, your spiritual, mental, and emotional growth is still in progress. You cannot afford to slack on your personal development and growth.

You need to stay fresh, current, and on top of your game at work and home.

The fact that you are a mother, and busy raising your children is no excuse to stop your own personal development and growth. Let your children know you can be mum, and still be relevant. Even if you are a stay-at-home mum, you can still grow if you choose to.

When you are committed to your personal development and growth, you would not settle for ignorance, because the day you stop growing is the day you stop living.

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Growth isn’t easy; it involves hard work. It stretches you, and pushes you out of your comfort zone. It means leaving behind old habits, and adopting new ones that will propel you forward. Growth will cost you something, be it your time, money, or even friends.

Once you have committed to your own personal development and growth, be aware that some people will try to stop you from growing. People generally enjoy playing safe. They feel uncomfortable around those who want to raise the bar. You can’t blame them because they are probably trapped in a stagnant life, and don’t know any better.

Your desire to change and grow above average would force those close to you to acknowledge their own habits, or how safe they are living their lives. Some would most likely see you as trying to be too good for the rest of the crew because you want to improve yourself.

When you decide to skip watching that television show to do something meaningful, expect some sneers from friends and family.

When you decline the invitation to that party because you want to read a book, or work on a course that will help you progress in your career, expect whispers and discomfort.

When you tell someone you can’t talk right now, and will call them later, expect some discomfort and awkwardness.

Expect some resistance, but don’t let that stop you. Don’t settle for less, and don’t let people who refuse to grow stop you from growing. This is your life after all.

If the people around you are not pushing themselves or are indifferent to the bad habits in their lives, then hang out with those who also desire to grow. Help one another grow.

Will you remain stagnant or will you find ways to grow? Your growth is YOUR responsibility, and no one else’s.

What steps are you going to take today to keep growing?