Episode #168 - Be Intentional with Personal Growth - REBOOT #136

Episode Notes: 

🔥 Feeling overwhelmed and stuck in a cycle of uncertainty? Tune in to our latest podcast episode to discover how to break free from self-doubt and unleash your full potential! 

💡 Uncover the secrets to intentional self-development and personal growth in our latest podcast episode! Learn the 12 key factors of personal growth and embrace challenges to create the life you deserve. 🌟

🌱 Discover the power of stepping out of your comfort zone on your journey of personal growth! Embrace new challenges and witness the amazing transformation as you become the best version of yourself. 🚀

🎯 Ready to take control of your life and achieve your dreams? This episode provides valuable insights into personal responsibility, surrounding yourself with positivity, and the importance of celebrating progress! 🏆

Embark on a transformative journey with us as we tackle the true essence of personal growth, steering clear of the quick-fix illusions that so often lead us astray. Inspired by the wisdom in Dan Sullivan's "The Gap and the Gain" we delve into the art of measuring progress by our past triumphs, not by the distant horizons we're yet to reach.

In this week’s podcast, we’re going back to an episode I shared last summer, where we dove deep into the challenges and struggles we face in our fast-paced, high-tech world, where we often feel overwhelmed and stuck in the cycle of mediocrity. But deep down, we yearn for personal growth and improvement, hoping to break free from self-doubt and fear. Join us as we explore why personal growth is essential and how to become intentional in your journey towards a better version of yourself.

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Transcript

Rick: 0:00

You know you can't go to a gym for a week and expect to be fit for life, right? You can't curb your late-night snacking for just a couple days and expect your half-keg gut to transform into a six-pack. Nor can you listen to one podcast episode and expect your whole life to change overnight. Could we agree on this? We want to be better humans. We really do, but we fail at being intentional about it.

Rick: 0:22

We fail at being intentional about it. Welcome to the MindWrench podcast with your host, rick Sellover, where minor adjustments produce major improvements in mindset, personal growth and success. This is the place to be every Monday, where we make small improvements and take positive actions in our business and personal lives that will make a major impact in our success, next-level growth and quality of life.

Rick: 0:57

Hey, what's up everybody. Welcome to the MindWrench Podcast. I'm your host, rick Silover. Thanks so much for stopping in. If you're a returning listener and haven't done so already, please take a minute and click the follow or subscribe button and then rate and review the show. When you rate and review the show, the algorithms for Apple, spotify, google Podcasts, iheartradio, amazon Music and all the other platforms will see that it's valuable and show it to more people that have never seen it before, and hopefully it can help them too. I would really, really really appreciate your help, sharing this word with your friends and family as well, and if you're a brand new listener, welcome. I hope you find something of value here that helps you in your personal or professional life as well. Please make sure to click the subscribe or follow button so you never miss another episode.

Rick: 1:41

I recently finished a great book called the Gap and the Gain by Dan Sullivan that I would highly recommend reading or, even easier, listening to an audiobook. So the last couple weeks have really been reflecting on my life where I was a year ago, five years ago, ten years ago compared to where I am today physically, financially, emotionally, professionally all aspects of my life. You see the main message within this book was how to stop measuring ourselves against what we have not yet done or become, or some idealistic version of ourselves which we may never achieve, and feeling bad about our lack of progress otherwise known as the gap to, instead measuring backwards, looking at where we are versus where we were last week, last month, last year, and celebrating the progress, the gains. What I came to realize was when, looking backwards, it's been very clear that all the gains I've experienced in my life in all areas have come from my own journey in self-development, my own intentional personal growth. Own journey in self-development, my own intentional personal growth. It started with one book several years ago and now consists of books and podcasts and YouTube videos and keynote speeches and making intentional changes in my habits, lifestyle and routines that have produced better results than I could have ever imagined. It seems everyone I've met that enjoys their life has been successful in what they do, achieved next levels of health, wealth and fulfillment. All have one thing in common they have all intentionally worked on their self-development and personal growth. They have stretched and strengthened their bodies and minds over weeks, months, years, and that type of growth is available to all of us this week.

Rick: 3:23

I thought it'd be a good time to reshare an earlier episode where I shared some great information on this subject, a practical guide to help you start your own journey to personal growth. So let's go back to last summer and episode 136, be Intentional with Personal Growth. It seems most days, a vast majority of us feel extremely stressed out, overwhelmed with the pace of today's high-tech multitask too much to do on my to-do list and not enough hours in the day world that we exist in. Right, we're a nation of mostly good-intended, hard-working people that walk through our days in a haze of uncertainty, self-doubt that we're not good enough, capable enough, smart enough, attractive enough or even, dare I say, worthy enough of the success or freedom we dream about, that we feel we deserve. You know, like the successful people we see on TV or social media, what they seem to be blessed with. How are they so lucky anyways?

Rick: 4:25

Meanwhile, we all seem to be overweight, out of shape, de-energized, halfway through our days, unmotivated to take on anything new and just wanting nothing more than to sit down at the end of the day in front of our 65-inch TV, veg out on Netflix before starting this whole shit show of a life cycle again tomorrow, but in the back of our minds, in a place that we're too afraid to share out loud, is that nagging feeling, sometimes very slight, sometimes raging on the inside and dying to burst out, the feeling that we want to be no, that we should be more than we are, that we should be growing, improving, developing into a better version of ourselves. And we all know it's possible, right? I mean we've seen our friends, some relatives or co-workers make those transitions, right? I mean we've seen our friends, some relatives or coworkers make those transitions. We know it can be done. Maybe somebody dropped 40 pounds or they quit smoking or they left that horrible relationship. We all know that we could make a few lifestyle changes, lose a couple pounds, gain a little muscle or upgrade our circle of friends. But many times we dabble at it, not really committed, not really sustained over time, and then we don't see the results we're looking for right away, because you know we live in an instant gratification world and we finally give up and go back to our old ways. Sound familiar, you know you can't go to a gym for a week and expect to be fit for life, right? You can't curb your late night snacking for just a couple days and expect your half-keg gut to transform into a six-pack. Nor can you listen to one podcast episode and expect your whole life to change overnight. Could we agree on this? We want to be better humans we really do, but we fail at being intentional about it.

Rick: 6:08

It's no wonder the self-development industry is in over a $47 billion market, with a 5.5% annual growth rate to boot. As a matter of fact, there's a few interesting things about personal growth, or more commonly referred to as self-development, that's worth noting. In North America, over 97 million Americans have a major goal of losing weight, and that's probably thanks to the over-sugared, high-processed and carb-heavy selections of fast food, snacks and convenience foods that we're drawn to. The average weight in the US has skyrocketed over the past 30 years. The health gym and fitness club market is an estimated $37 billion. Us consumers spent $32 million on self-care mobile apps like Calm 10%, happier, headspace and a few others. The main consumers of self-development products are millennials, being able to spend $300 per month on average for them. Also, about 75 million millennials worldwide use self-help services, and women in their 40s seem to make up the largest sector of that group.

Rick: 7:14

The two most common mental health issues worldwide are anxiety disorders and depression. In 2019, around 4% of the global population had anxiety disorders, while 3.6% suffered from depression. Now the rates of depression are higher among females than males, with like about a 4.3 percent of females suffering, compared to 2.9 percent of men, and those rates have absolutely escalated during the pandemic. Needless to say, we have many very compelling reasons to explore personal growth, but not only because of these external factors, but that strong internal drive to be better, to improve, to stretch, grow and reach for a better version of ourselves.

Rick: 7:59

So two questions Number one, why does it seem so hard to make these improvements? And number two, how do we become intentional with self-development? Intentional with self-development? The answer to our first question goes right to the part of our brain that's been designed a couple million years ago to protect us and keep us safe from being eaten by large predators like saber-toothed tigers. A little section of the center of our brain called the amygdala that creates the fight-or-flight response to danger. Our natural response to any kind of change can trigger this very quickly. It's like when you have to make a quick decision to turn right or left at the end of an unfamiliar road at night, or to decide on a quick this or that choice where both choices have unknown consequences, we tend to freeze up right. It's hard to make that decision because our brains are wired to go to the negative and we think, well, what if blank happens? If you're looking for a competitive edge for your business or a more effective jumpstart to your personal development in 2024, I'll make your first step super simple.

Rick: 8:58

It is a fact that an incredible number of the most successful business owners, nearly half of the Fortune 500 companies, top-earning professional athletes, entertainers and industry leaders like Microsoft's Bill Gates, former President Bill Clinton, richard Branson, amazon's Jeff Bezos and Salesforce's Mark Benioff all have one thing in common they all have at least one coach and some have several that they work with on a consistent basis, someone that helps, guide, mentor and support them, challenge them, help them set and achieve goals that move them forward and then hold them accountable to follow through driving personal and professional growth. Working with a coach has many substantial benefits. Just for an example, 80% of coaching clients report improved self-esteem or self-confidence thanks to coaching, 99% of individuals and companies that hire a coach report being very satisfied and 96% would do it again. If, deep down, you know it's time to make those improvements in your business or your personal life that you've kicked down the road year after year. If you're tired of knowing there's a better version of you waiting to shine, but unsure of how to bring that version to light. If you're tired of wanting to enjoy a more successful business but not sure how to start. And if you don't want to go another 12 months without better results, but you don't want to go it alone, then take the first step. It's super simple. Sometimes talking to the right person can make all the difference. Go to wwwrixelovercom contact and I'll set you up with a free consultation. Call with me to see if one-on-one coaching is right for you.

Rick: 10:30

We know that when we are weighing out our decision to make a change in our lifestyle or habits or our health, we know what the positive outcome could look like, but the amygdala will take over and highlight every possible thing that could go wrong or how. Leaving our comfort zone is too risky, and that's where we tend to stop. Fear will easily talk ourselves right out of what we intended to do to improve ourselves Crazy right. No worries, though. Your brain is doing exactly of what we intended to do to improve ourselves. Crazy right. No worries, though, your brain is doing exactly what it was wired to do.

Rick: 11:00

But once you gain an understanding of what it's doing to sabotage your efforts before they even start and, more importantly, why that is, then it's much easier to push past that unsubstantiated fear of the unknown. Start with learning and education, one of the main components of personal growth educating yourself a little bit on what's involved with the change you're looking to make, highlighting the positive gains and minimizing the risks, studying how others have accomplished exactly what you wish to experience and it no longer becomes an unknown to your subconscious. Write down a few notes, if needed. Make it look like a planned route where you want to end up. Go ahead and map it out. You'll find that any change is easier when you can take these few steps first, and stepping out of your comfort zone won't feel so uncertain. Keep in mind the short-term pain of change now will be minor in comparison to the long-term pain of regret for not making the improvements necessary to move you forward in your life. The road to any self-improvement is going to be a journey, not a pit stop. It'll take some work, but nothing that's out of your grasp.

Rick: 12:05

I've been on a long journey of personal growth for many years and I remember it was hard to start an exercise routine, but it's been worth every drop of sweat to have a body that's actually healthy and strong, with plenty of energy, at an age where most men are drastically out of shape. It was hard to change eating habits, but so worth it to feel better, be a little lighter, with less stress on my senior joints, and know that I won't succumb to the diabetes that affected many others in my family. It wasn't easy to start reading self-development books, as I always hated reading, but it changed my life massively for the better. With what I've learned and with today's technology things like e-books or Audible or Blinkist and others I can just listen to a complete book even easier. The answers to our second question is very straightforward to understand but really takes commitment and some self-accountability. But, once again, nothing that's beyond your ability if you just adjust your mindset a tad. I want to share the basic concepts 12 of the factors of personal growth or self-development that all play a part in your success as you start down your journey to building a better you. Or maybe you're pretty happy with everything in life, but this one small thing you'd like to change. Either way, all these factors could be involved.

Rick: 13:19

Number one continuous process. Personal growth is an ongoing process that continues throughout a person's life. It involves a commitment to self-improvement, learning and self-awareness. Number two self-awareness. Understanding oneself, including strengths, weaknesses, beliefs and emotions, is a fundamental aspect of personal growth. It enables individuals to identify areas for improvement and set meaningful goals. Three learning and education. Personal growth often involves seeking knowledge through various means, such as reading, attending workshops, taking courses or seeking guidance from mentors or coaches.

Rick: 13:56

Number four stepping out of comfort zones. This one's really important. Personal growth requires individuals to step out of their comfort zones and embrace new challenges. It involves taking calculated risks to grow and expand one's abilities. This is probably one of the most challenging pieces of self-development is allowing yourself to get out of that comfort zone, to know you're not going to die, you're going to be okay, it's just going to be what it says. It is uncomfortable. All growth comes from being outside your comfort zone. Number five mindset shifts. A growth mindset, as opposed to a fixed mindset, is essential for personal growth. As opposed to a fixed mindset is essential for personal growth. Embracing challenges, seeing failures as opportunities to learn and believing in the ability to improve are characteristic of a growth mindset.

Rick: 14:42

6. Goal setting Setting clear and achievable goals is critical to personal growth. Goals provide direction and motivation, helping individuals measure their progress and stay focused and stay on track. 7. Resil, resilience and adaptability. Personal growth often involves facing setbacks and obstacles. Resilience and adaptability are important traits that help individuals bounce back from challenges and continue their growth journey.

Rick: 15:10

Number eight physical health and well-being. Personal growth isn't limited to mental and emotional aspects. It also includes taking care of one's physical health through exercise, proper nutrition and adequate rest. 9. Personal responsibility this is a big one too. Personal growth involves taking responsibility for one's actions and choices. It's about being accountable for the results and learning from your mistakes and keep pushing forward. Number 10, surround yourself with positivity. Positive influences, supportive relationships and a healthy social circle contribute to personal growth. Being around people who inspire and uplift you can foster personal development, just the same as being around negative people. They will stop you in your tracks, they won't support you and they'll prevent you from moving forward in your life. Number 11, gratitude and mindfulness. Practicing gratitude and mindfulness can lead to greater self-awareness, contentment and a more positive outlook on life, contributing to personal growth. And number 12, celebrating progress. Acknowledging and celebrating small wins and achievements along the personal growth journey helps maintain motivation and enthusiasm helps maintain motivation and enthusiasm.

Rick: 16:27

Making those needed or desired changes or improvements in certain areas of your life absolutely takes intention. It takes commitment. It doesn't happen by chance. You can't accidentally achieve some personal growth. It happens when you make the decision to move towards growth, gain the needed knowledge to start moving forward and commit to seeing it through until your goals are reached. But keep in mind you are the only one 100% responsible for making it a reality. Nobody else can do it for you and you are the only one that benefits from that personal growth. But you can get help along the way, working with a mentor or, better yet, a coach can be highly beneficial, and a good coach can hold you accountable and prevent you from quitting on yourself before you reach your goals. I've helped many others as a personal development or life coach and if you'd like my help, just reach out to me anytime or feel free to look for one of the other many coaches out there. It really does make a difference when you have someone on your side working with you.

Rick: 17:21

There's a great analogy I heard from one of my mentors, dean Graziosi, and he poses this question and it really puts this all into perspective. And he says what if you got to the end of your life and you meet your maker, whoever that is for you, it'd be God, the universe, the way these days are looking maybe it's an alien, I don't know and he or she pulls out their iPhone bazillion and shows you a video of the man or the woman you could have been if he'd only made those changes or self-improvements that you bailed on or were too scared to take the chances you wanted to, and that person was totally unrecognizable to you. Wouldn't that suck? Wouldn't you instantly wish you could get a do-over or a second chance? So why take that risk?

Rick: 18:07

Start your own journey down the path of self-development or personal growth now. You don't have to change something major. Start with a small improvement in some area of your life, but follow it through to completion. Do it with some intention, build some confidence with a small win, celebrate the win and then go after something that makes a larger positive impact on your life. I promise you won't regret it. Well, that's all I had for you today. Thanks again for tuning in. I really appreciate your support and I hope you have a great week. I can always be reached at wwwrickselovercom, where you can find all my social media links podcast episodes, blog posts and much more. I'm out.