Growth Without Change?

One of the comments I hear from people a lot is that they dislike change, or they are afraid of change. Usually in the same conversation the same person discusses personal growth, and how they want to become an even more fantastic version of themselves.

While it never seems obvious when you divide the contexts of the two, if you put them together, the question arises - can you achieve growth without change? If you want to grow, must you not be then willing to change? Or if you don't want anything to change, how will you grow?

My friends, growth comes from change. They co-exist, hand-in-hand. You can't have one without the other. Why, you ask?

If you've ever been in a course with me, you may have heard me tell you to shake up your routines. I may have told you to drive a different way home from work, or eat at an usual restaurant. What I'm really telling you is to embrace change. Not only will change open your eyes to new possibilities, it will shake you up just enough to create new learning opportunities, and thus, growth.

Remember the old adage - "change is inevitable, growth is optional, choose wisely." Change will happen whether you want it to or not. Instead of fearing it, embrace it for the opportunity it is. Be prepared for changes, and teach yourself to look at them as the chance to grow as a person.

I challenge you to change things up. Sign up for a course you would have never considered taking before. Pick a book up from the library that you wouldn't normally read. Don't watch your usual shows - flip to the Discovery Channel or something similar instead.

Growth comes from change, not in spite of it.