Saying YES to Growing Pains

I’ve never been to Asia before. This past February, on my flight to Japan, I chose the “Asian meal” instead of the “American pasta dish.” I had pre-decided that I wanted to expose myself to different experiences. And that meant saying YES to things I wasn’t accustomed to – even something as simple as an in-flight meal.

 

(Remember that what you’re reading can be applied to your business and your personal life. I apply it that way and my growth becomes exponential.)

 

Saying YES to things you’re not used to is the ONLY way to experience something new and then decide if you want to experience it again. When you do that on repeated occasion, surprise! You’ve become accustomed to something “new.” That is, what was once new is now part of a menu of regular options for you.

 

I decided that I would say YES to as many new experiences as I could jam in. My goal this trip, my first trip to Asia, was to push past the known into the unknown. 

 

From the meal selection on the plane (which really was quite good) to exploring transportation, shopping, and yes – more food, I said yes to so many new experiences, that I found myself smiling the entire trip.

 

While I could make this a food blog, the point I’m making here is that you get to pre-determine your level of growth. And you do that every day, whether deliberately or not. Most people aren’t conscious of it. (And that’s why I’m writing this.) You – yes, YOU – make decisions based on personal and perceptual biases. Unless you become conscious of those biases and deliberately choose to keep them or push through them, they will control you. 

 

By the way, I was deliberate about some of my food choices. I have a bias that I chose not to push through – I can’t… I just can’t bring myself to eating sushi so fresh that it might still be moving. Yeahhhh… that’s a “nope” from me. Thanks.

 

That’s deliberate. That’s a wall that I could choose to push through someday. The wall, and that limitation are simply self-imposed. And all of those things are important to know. What I refused to experience for myself, others leaned into.

 

And I share all of that here for you to do some self-exploration. What have you said “no” to that might have been something you could have grown from? Was it seeing a show, going to a particular location, trying a new food, playing a new instrument or sport, or maybe changing up your look with new clothes or a new haircut. Maybe it was meeting someone, reaching out one more time, and creating a new relationship – personal or professional.

 

We get locked in. We know what we know and we search for things that are familiar to confirm our biases in the world. It’s time for a little growth. It’s time to get a little more curious. And if you’re going to fight for your biases and keep your limitations, at least be conscious that you’re doing so.

 

I pre-determined that I’d have a lot more YES experiences in my life. I’m a big fan of Stay Curious. That keeps me growing both personally and professionally. Look at where your business is stagnating. Where could you explore—or push through—just that bit further?

 

What are you predetermining about your business growth, about your personal growth, and about your enjoyment – and impact – in-and-of the world?

 

Consider that. Then, be deliberate.

 

Maybe it’s time for you to (re)watch my TEDx talk – the one with over Two Million Views on it. It’s time to say YES to your own growth again.

 

Keep making your magic!

 

= Wayne =