The Tribune

By MICHELLE MILLER

EVERYBODY talks about going to the next level without giving any real thought to the statement. If you are not growing through improved skills and development, how can you go to the next level?

There’s an enormous difference between ‘going to the next level’ and ‘growing to the next level’.

From a career standpoint, a promotion to a senior position is not an automatic reflection of your personal growth. Simply because the process through which promotion occurs may or may not require an improved skill set. Some promotions are based solely on seniority, not necessarily on merit, but purely because it’s whose next in line.

With all of this in mind, how do you assess if you are growing to the next level?

One way to tell is to do your own self-evaluation. What new skills have you learnt? Which area of your life are you managing better?

Thought-provoking questions are a great fire starter to probing your mind and evaluating the degree to which you are growing. It’s also important to recognise some other fundamental factors about growing to the next level. I’m taking the angle of personal growth and self-actualisation.

This vantage point goes beyond the mundane acquisition of paper, places and things. There are many who have amassed unlimited degrees, houses, vehicles etc, but have not experienced any personal growth.

The reason why papers, places and things alone do not necessarily amount to growth is because anyone can buy anything. Whether they buy it, steal it, swindle somebody of it, or even inherit it, the point is they have it.

If you used the acquisition of things alone as a sign growth, you run into problems trying to differentiate the den of thieves from the ‘good guys’. Growing the next level is about getting better at living the life you love. It is about waking up with enthusiasm and passion to seize the day. Growing is about mastering yourself and your ability to meet the ebb and flow of life.

Whether on the personal, professional or business level, assessing your growth is a good idea. This is only true for you if you accept that you are born with unlimited potential, which you have a burning desire to unleash.

To grow you must know. To get growing, get knowing by learning something knew about yourself and the gifts you have within. Start by connecting with your voice. Most people are afraid of public speaking.

In most cases it’s not because they don’t know how to speak but more because they have not connected with the power of their own voice.

Connecting with the potency of your voice is a great gateway to grow to the next level. You are better able to communicate with confidence. You can share your perspective and sell your ideas to those who are waiting on you.

Leader to leader, you are born to change and grow. While change is inevitable, growth must be intention. This means you must make it your intention to grow. In the words of Morgan Freeman, “You must get busy living or get busy dying.” The choice is always yours.

Make today the day that you get busy growing to the next level. The life that you love is waiting.

What do you think?

• Michelle M Miller is a certified life coach and leadership expert. Questions or comments can be sent via email to coaching242@yahoo.com or telephone 429-6770, or by snail mail to PO Box CB-13060, or visit www.michellemmiller.com.