Progress: Improvement needs measure

“How long is a piece of string?” This is a term commonly used when someone doesn’t know how to communicate how long something will take. It’s the last thing we want to hear, especially if we are paying for it.

When I was much younger my mother and father used to take time every year to measure me. Does this sound familiar? This started from the time I could stand, through to my teenage years. For me, it had much more significance, once I understood what it meant. Although I enjoyed looking back to see how small I was. Growth for me was consistent and steady, until I turned 13 which at that point, I had a big growth spurt. My growth was exponential, I went from a rugby front row status to a lock position.

The reason we measure ourselves, can be useful for so many reasons and include:

·       Rate of growth for age comparatively

·       Suitability for an activity

·       Sizing for clothing

·       Medical and identification reasons

·       Physical enhancement and change

 “The measure of a person is not their height”

Applying measurement to our physical being is one thing, but what about our intrinsic or internal personal measures. How do we measure personal character growth?

Below are things to consider when measuring your personal character growth.

·       Be self-aware, understand how you think, feel, and behave.

-          Know your strengths, values, and beliefs so you can understand yourself and how you function best

·       Own your emotions and decisions

-          Don’t play the victim by shifting the responsibility for yourself on to others

·       Set S.M.A.R.T Goals

-          Make your goals: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant and Timely

·       Track and monitor your progress

-          Review your goals and targets, to ensure they align and on track

·       Be accountable

-          Apply daily disciplines to keep yourself on track. Meet with a mentor or someone to help you to be accountable

·       Understand your purpose https://www.effectiveinfluence.com/blog/findingpurpose

-          Knowing your why, gives you guidance as to what you need to be doing

 Through this, it is important to realise that just as physical development requires measurement so does personal character growth.

 My 5 Learnings:

·       Measure is helpful for keeping me on track

·       I need to be intentional and committed to my personal growth

·       Daily disciplines are key in helping me stay on track with my goals

·       I must ensure that I am being responsible for my emotions and not project them on to others

·       Self-awareness and purpose will help me to be clear about who I am, what I do and why I do it

As you think about character growth, know that it always needs developing. Sometimes the best way to evaluate it is to step into unfamiliar situations or circumstances. Or confront unresolved issues or displaced relationships.

My 3 Questions for you:

·       How are you measuring your personal character growth?

·       Do you have a mentor or close confidants?

·       What are your strengths and values?

“I do know one thing about me: I don't measure myself by others' expectations or let others define my worth.” Sonia Sotomayor

If you need help measuring your character growth, or if you have questions, please talk to me. I would be happy to chat with you and help.

Remember daily to, “Find value in your influence”

Written By: Paul Fawcett.