Do you have a personal plan for growth?
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On Twitter and Facebook on Sunday, I quoted my friend Paul Meyer, mentioning that he was the person who helped me create my first personal growth plan. In the hours afterward, I received dozens of requests, all asking the same thing: “How do you create a personal growth plan?”
The answer to that takes more than 140 characters, so I thought I’d post it here:
The key to a life of continual learning and improvement lies in developing a plan for growth and following through with it. Paul Meyer knew this. In fact, when I first met him and we had lunch, he asked me a question that changed my life: “Do you have a personal plan for growth?”
In answer, I told him about my work schedule and how much I did and how I was learning on the job. I kept going on and on. The more I talked, the more obvious it was that I had no plan. Paul helped me find one.
Growth is does not happen by chance. If you want to be sure to grow, you need a plan—something strategic, specific, and scheduled.Motivational speaker Earl Nightingale said, “If a person will spend one hour a day on the same subject for five years, that person will be an expert on that subject.” Isn’t that incredible? It shows how far we are able to go when we have the discipline to make growth our daily practice.
So if you want to follow a plan, recommend that you start by identifying an area or two in which you desire to grow, such as leadership. Then start gathering useful resources – in print, online, on video, etc. Now your goal is to schedule learning time EVERY DAY. Here’s the rule of thumb I’ve used for years: read one book a month and digest one article/podcast per week.
As an example, this is the weekly schedule – 5 days a week, 1 hour a day – that I recommend for personal growth as a leader:
Monday: Spend one hour with a devotional to develop your spiritual life.
Tuesday: Spend one hour listening to a leadership recording.
Wednesday: Spend one hour filing* quotes and reflecting on the contents of Tuesday’s material.
Thursday: Spend one hour reading a book on leadership.
Friday: Spend half of the hour reading the book and the other half filing and reflecting.
The average American adult watches close to 30 hours of television per week, with little positive return. What do you think would happen if you devoted just five of those hours to personal growth?
Why not start acting on a plan today and find out? Then let me know if it was worth it.
*For my tips on how to collect and file material, read this post.
Great and informative post! My New Year’s resolution has been to take time everyday to learn something new related to growing my site. Already I’ve been taking the steps you recommend except trying to work a little bit of everything each day. It is amazing what can be accomplished in a day if I take the time and effort to take action steps towards my goal. Thank you for this great post!
John,
Thank you for sharing something that changed you. I love the organization you offer.
One thing thats helped me grow is welcoming criticism from wise people who share my values.
Additionally, criticism can be hard to take but I’ve found living a vision driven life enables me to accept criticism. In addition, vision enables me to welcome, even seek criticism.
Thanks again for sharing your life.
Leadership Freak
Dan Rockwell
I have been dealing with the idea of making sure every day my agenda is filled with the things that are going to get me closer to my DREAM! One night I was praying asking God to give me a strategic plan for my dream to be a speaker and author! I said this, Lord I want to be the female version of John Maxwell(LOL) Low and behold I turn to TBN Channel and their you were. You gave me the plan! You talked about the Rule of 5′s! I bought the book and been implementing your principles every since!
Great post John & a great reminder on how to become an expert in my field.
Great stuff! Of course. I have desired for years to read more. Recently, through a churchwide fast and prayer time I fasted television and filled that time with reading. It has been great. Now with this type of schedule I believe I can get the most out of these times. Thanks!
Disponible in spanish?
Thanks for great advice, John!
Jonathan
Thanks for the great advice, John.
Jonathan
John, I took your advice years ago and started a “growth plan”. It has been the best decision of my life. I was teaching a group of leaders last week in Europe and someone asked me to share my growth plan. There were 80 people in the room so I thought they would all enjoy my example. It’s funny how some people reject the idea of having their own plan for growth. When I questioned one gentleman that obviously thought I was out of my mind all he could say was, “whose got time for that?”. Can’t change your life if you won’t change yourself.
I heard a quotes last week that follows Perry Holley’s comment: “You have the same time in a day that was given to Albert Einstein, Mother Teresa, Saint Paul and the rest of humanity.”
This post really lights my fire. I really desire to be able to give more in my relationships and be more effective in them. Your strategies will inspire me to consistently fuel myself with the necessary tools to reach my goals this year. Thank you, I will definately update you with the results.
Dear John,
I can not thank you enough for all of your trainings, I started a Personal Plan for Growth a few months ago, and it has revolutionized my life. The way i think and live is completely different.
I currently started reading Dave Anderson’s ” How to Run your Business by the BOOK”, which is for worded by you, and it has also helped me to lead my business with Spiritual principles.
So Thanks again! You’re a blessing
John, thank you for all those inspirational words. Your books changed my life a lot and helped me through difficult times. Thank you for you and your motivational words. It also help me to find new perspective in life and my spiritual life.
I am always waiting for your amazing words.and thank you for share with us
I must admit these 5 steps got me thinking.
I must admit my favorite question is who do you listen to?Here is my answer but I can’t say its something diff M-F because its something done on a regular basis.
I love what my answer is
I listen to Joel Osteen, watch Joyce Meyer, listen to Nancy Alcorn[founder of Mercy Ministries], listen to the Message Bible on tape, Doing a Beth Moore Bible study and oh yeah I listen to Praise Music. I’m also reading 1 of your books in addition to 1 of Joyce’s.
So true, one brick at a time, built on a solid foundation.
Proverb 1:2-3
2 That men may appreciate wisdom and discipline, may understand words of intelligence; 3 May receive training in wise conduct, in what is right, just and honest;
Thank you Mr Maxwell
Thank you John for encouraging personal growth. You have said that when you are out of your comfort zone you know that you are growing and to be growth oriented more than goal oriented. If you are growing you will reach your goals.
My first personal growth program came from World Wide Dreambuilders. In order to grow we: 1) Read daily books on relationships, finance, personal growth and inspiration 2) we listen daily to audio media with encouraging and informative content 3) we attend seminars regularly 4) we get coaching from our mentors 5) we are accountable to our plan and 6) we communicate regularly with other active growing people in our organization.
When ou put that in your calendar things really start to happen. So how am I doing you might ask? ” I am not where I want to be, but thank the good Lord I am not where I used to be!” Thanks John for leading the way, setting the pace and being the example!
Thank you John for providing such valuable information.
The best advise I have heard for a long time. Brian Tracy said that the average American reads less than one book a year! Imagine your advantage at twelve a year!
Dear John,
I have to thank you so much for all your teachings and trainings. Because of what i’ve applied to my life, my entire perspective on life and business has changed. Thanks for teaching me how to be successful.
Setting a Personal Growth is something I learned from you, and I have to say reading books and listening to audios make all the difference.
I’m currently reading Dave Anderson’s “How to Run Your Business by The BOOK” which is for worded by you. And, this book is starting to do wonders as well, thanks for influencing so many great leaders in our nation!
This is very true! I have noticed that when I don’t turn on the ‘tube’ I become more productive and am able to read books of interest, or work on my studies for higher education. I love your posts!
Thank you for this great advice. I have one of Paul Meyers book, 24 keys that bring complete success and should start with that again, and move forward.
Thanks john you make me a better leader, I saw you in Guatemala last year and I started a plan than convert to a webpage and I am writing somethings that I know to share it with other people I like you to see it http:/alvarojchacona.com and thanks again
Dear John,
Eleven years ago I listened a tape by Jim Dornan with the title “Daily Deliberate Action”. It is since then that I have been reading one book per month (some of them e.g. “The Magic of Thinking Big” I repeat reading every year), listening one “one hour” leadership recording every day, reading and translating articles on leadership every week, attending seminars on personal growth every month and spend some time praying.
In the years that have passed since then I feel that I am on the right track of becoming a better person even though there is still a long and continuous way to get there.
Your communique came in a moment that I needed to remember the road travelled so far.
THANK YOU FOR REMINDING ME.
I´m Sorry everybody Amateur in this http://www.alvarojchacon.com see it maybe give you something for your work
Simple and true!
Great post!. This one in particular reminds us that a plan to improve is not unreachable.
Thanks and Greetings from San José, Costa Rica
I love having something that I can do everyday! It was a great reminder that we need to spend more time thinking and organizing and not just running and running!
Thanks to Yvonne for specifically mentioning her favorite recordings. Mr. Maxwell, which leadership recordings do YOU recommend?
John, I do now. In fact, it’s crystalized more this week than perhaps ever before. Many hurdles to overcome, but I thank you for the challenge to stay on track!
That’s fantastic John! You always emphasize that, ‘ Leaders grow daily, Not in a day!’ As you have mentioned, it’s a fantastic idea to have one hour of reading a devotional book to improve spiritual life! I will start implementing it.
It is important to have a personal growth plan and one thingI do is read books that build me up and spend time with leaders who build me up.
Dear John. Maxwell House Master:
Hello!
Since the December 16 ,I have blamed myself for a long time. Today is the Chinese New Year day,but I can hardly fall asleep.Although I cannot speak English,I want to tell you that : “Sorry! “Meanwhile, I will spare no efforts to develop my growth plans.
Your student / Yuhong / 2010.2.14
[...] Maxwell wrote THIS POST that motivated me to create a Personal Plan for Growth a couple weeks back. I’ve found it to [...]
Dear Mr Maxwell
May I translate your post to Portuguese and use it with our leaders in our church?
Dear John. Maxwell Master:
This afternoon, I have read Liang subordinates gave me a book entitled 《THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS “BUSINESS”ETHICS》,I read in one breath, but deep down I am very excited at this moment, I really regret that I did not In the December 27 to get a book on the reading, and for himself in the December 16 performance even more ashamed at the same time to really understand your class’s teaching: “Success is to make the best understanding of the person you most respect for you, but also The most like you! ”
I am too fond of the book point of view! Every word straight into my heart! I can not calm a long time!
Of which: 1. Chapter III “。。。。 who grew up in a great advocate of moral and religious era…. But at 50 years of the twentieth century, such education has become rare. ”
2. Chapter IV: “moral rule is a compass direction is always the same, always right”;
”If we want to grow, we need to face will be exposed to the behavior of the suffering of others. Integrity is the foundation of a person, while the sense of responsibility is the cornerstone.”
3. Chapter V “People’s commitment is the same, only difference is action.”
”First of all, I should be responsible to God; second family, I should be responsible. . . . . I still need to discipline themselves through a variety of ways to not deviate from the track. . . . . There is pressure to make every effort to adhere to ethical situations. . . . . . Unrestrained joy will be painful. . . . . The fact is that the pursuit of happiness we tend to be short-lived. ”
”Self-discipline are a free people.”
”Proud to be deceived by your eyes, so that you can not see your mistake, do not see the needs of others, can not see the trap in front of you.”
I particularly like is the seventh chapter, “” You are asking me how I look at him. “My father retaliate Road,” is not how he viewed me. “Fully demonstrated a noble person who has the charisma! There are” many walk a mile “at the end of the story, let me smile, the experience out of that lonely and firm belief!
I learned a lot from the book extremely grateful to you!
Above, students are using online translation tools, if there is inappropriate language, please master of understanding, it is not the intention of the students!
Your Chinese students: Yu Hong
2010.2.17
Dear John:
This morning, my daughter found a translation error, remark the original meaning: “In the evening of December 26, Liang teacher’s employee gave me a book,”
Now,it’s correct! I’m sorry…
Yu Hong / 17.2.2001
Dear John:
I have read your book :《QUALITIES OF A LEADER》《WINNING WITH PEOPLE》《THE 360 LEADER》, but my favorite one is《THERE’S NO SUCH THING AS “BUSINESS” ETHICS》。In the morning, I also study again, I was deeply moved, this book illuminates my life, it let me find a direction! In the past, when I see those I do not like, I chose to avoid, pretend deaf, dumb pretending. . . . . . At the same time, I am arrogant…… today, I understand that this is another kind of cowardice, incompetence and selfishness! In the book, I saw a great man, his mind was so wide! I sincerely admire you! And I will treasure this book and let it guide my life! Most grateful for your great wisdom! Your students: Yu Hong 17.2.2010
John
Los adelantos tecnológicos hacen posible tener sus consejos a la mano, como Ud no tiene páginas en Español, google, me traduce la pagina, perfectamente.
Es muy importante como Ud. aconseja tener organización.
No puedo comprar el libro, pero leo todo lo que esta en su página, me doy un tiempo dentro de la semana ya que diariamente no puedo hacerlo.
Se que Dios es mi ayudador y que nada puedo hacer si el no esta conmigo.
Gracias
Good words John. Twelve years ago I sat in a lunch where you challenged the audience to create a personal growth plan. It changed my life. Every year since I’ve created a plan for personal growth and have experienced amazing compounding results. I’ve learned why I need a personal growth plan and the four questions necessary to create a solid growth plan.
Your impact greatly has changed lifes(Rich & poor) good works