Most people spend more time waiting for growth than pursuing it. They wait for the right opportunity, the right boss, the right season of life. And then years slip by with nothing to show but ?someday? excuses.
John Maxwell calls this the Law of Intentionality: growth doesn?t just happen. If you?re not deliberate, you?ll drift.
The Trap of Waiting
In 7 Life Lessons from the Trailer Park, I wrote about a dangerous trap?dreaming without doing. Dreams are inspiring, but without action they rot into what I called ?insignificant wishes.? I?ve been there: full of plans, but without the discipline to take the next step.
I also learned that your past?good, bad, or ugly?doesn?t entitle you to growth. As I wrote: ?The past is a canceled check. Your past is not an indication of your future.?
Too many people cash their lives against yesterday?s regrets or other people?s opinions. But here?s the truth: you can?t wait on your history, your hurt, or your excuses to somehow morph into progress. At some point, you?ve got to stop replaying the highlight reel of what?s gone wrong and start scripting what?s next.
The Cost of Growth
Here?s the truth: everything worth having comes with a price tag, and it must be paid upfront. Success doesn?t do layaway. You don?t drift into better habits, stronger leadership, or a bigger life. You choose it?and you pay for it with time, discipline, and intentional effort. But remeber, the harder the battle, the sweeter the victory.
When I finally decided to stop waiting and start building habits, things changed. One small choice stacked on another until momentum took over. Growth didn?t sneak up on me?it showed up when I chased it.
And let me warn you: it?s not glamorous. It?s the daily grind of choosing the uncomfortable option. Reading when you?d rather scroll. Speaking up when you?d rather stay quiet. Saying no to average so you can say yes to exceptional. As I put it in my book: ?We are not here on this earth to be average. We are here to be exceptional.?
Your Next Step
So here?s your challenge for the week:
- Pick one area you?ve been ?waiting on.? Be honest with yourself. Leadership? Health? Family? Write it down.
- Set one clear action. Not a dream, not a wish?an action you can take in the next 24 hours.
- Commit for 7 days. Do it daily for a week. No excuses. Then look back and measure the momentum.
Want to stretch yourself further? Journal on this question each night: ?What did I do today to grow intentionally?? You?ll quickly see whether you?re drifting or deciding.
Final Thought
Waiting is easy. Action is costly. But here?s the gut check: only one of those paths leads to growth.
So stop waiting for growth to knock. Lace up, pay the price, and go after it. The canceled check of yesterday can?t buy you anything. Only the choices you make today can.
? Next week, we?ll unpack Law #2: The Law of Awareness?You Must Know Yourself to Grow Yourself.