Many people strive to take their personal and professional growth to the next level — it’s almost like an innate desire. However, quite a large number of us very quickly realize how relatively unprepared we are when we have to face the realities of growth.
While no two experiences are completely alike, I think it helps to understand, or at least be exposed to, the experiences of others so we can get an idea of what to expect, and the possible ways to navigate the circumstances.
Last year, I quit my job without a Plan B, barely 4 months after I took it up. It was very unlike me but it felt like the only option I had. And while I’d love to completely erase the memory, I have found it important to be aware of the lessons and takeaways from that period.
In this post, I’ll share three valuable lessons I learned during what I now call a difficult year in my life. It is my desire that these words help shine a light on your path or at least ignite a flame that leads to a bigger fire.
A large majority of people strive to reach the top of their careers or chosen fields but, getting there is often easier said than done. One key factor to success that I have found is in embracing growth opportunities whenever they arise, even if they seem daunting or challenging.
The beauty of taking on growth opportunities is that you never know what you might learn about yourself or the world around you. Life is unpredictable and taking up challenges can be the best way to learn new things and grow as a person.
By taking a step outside of our comfort zone and exposing ourselves to new challenges and experiences, we get to develop our skills, expand our knowledge, and grow as individuals.
We also get to demonstrate our ability to take risks and be resilient, both of which are qualities that are highly valued in the workplace. When we take on the risk, we never have to spend the rest of our lives wondering “what if” because we already took the chance to find out.
At the end of the day, it’s better to know that an opportunity wasn’t perfect for you than to spend countless hours imagining what the outcome could have been.
While the opportunity I took up last year did not turn out as I’d have hoped, I have found it very important to remind myself that my growth will mostly be found in opportunities like that and I cannot afford to do anything other than continuing to identify and embrace them.
It can be difficult to know what will work for us in life, but it’s important to trust your instincts and prioritize your mental health. Taking care of your mental health and well-being is crucial and it should always be a top priority.
When considering growth opportunities, it’s important to consider their impact on your mental state. While growth and progress are often challenging and uncomfortable, they should not be harmful to your mental health.
There’s a difference between a challenging environment and a toxic one, and it’s important to know the difference and make the necessary changes in your life.
Growth opportunities that align with your values and goals will empower and support you, while those that contradict your values or harm your well-being should be avoided.
It’s okay to say no to opportunities that don’t serve your best interests, as your mental health is more important. This doesn’t mean you should shy away from challenges, but instead be mindful of what is right for you and make changes to align your growth journey with your well-being.
Whether it means quitting a job or changing your routine, always prioritize your well-being. When I eventually did, it took me a little over two months to feel normal again.
A common misconception that many people have is that success should come quickly and effortlessly. Just because things seemed to happen effortlessly in the past doesn’t mean they’ll always be that way.
I had always found job offers come my way so effortlessly. I was super confident that I’d easily find another once I was ready. When reality hit me, it took a considerable amount of time for me to properly process it.
The truth is that great things in life often require time, patience, and dedication. Sometimes, we don’t pay enough attention to notice when we’re putting in the work so when we start to reap the rewards, it almost feels like luck.
The journey to success is just as important as the destination and it’s crucial that we embrace the experience while focusing on the things that will end up making us more valuable.
This means taking the time to develop new skills, learning from past experiences, and refining your approach. That way, when the next opportunity shows up, you’ll be better equipped to handle the challenges and ultimately reach your goals.
Final Thoughts In conclusion, life happens at different times and who we become is mostly a result of how we react to the situations we find ourselves in.
We can’t always control what happens to us, but we can decide what influence it has on us. So, embrace growth and challenges in your own life. It might be uncomfortable sometimes, but it’ll be worth it in the end.
This post first appeared in my Medium. If newsletters are your thing, consider subscribing to my Substack or Medium.
