The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth Summary

Growth Gap Traps

1. The Assumption Gap (I assume that I will automatically grow) ~ Make it your intention to grow. 

2. The Knowledge Gap (I don't know how to grow) ~ Decide to grow even if you don't know how.

3. The Timing Gap (It's not the right time to begin) ~ There is never a more "right" time to begin than now. 

4. The Mistake Gap (I'm afraid of making mistakes) ~ Get over your fear of making mistakes, accept that it's part of the process of growth.

5. The Perfection Gap (I have to find the best way before I start) ~ Starting is the only way to find the best way.

Growth Gap Traps

6. The Inspiration Gap (I don't feel like doing it) ~ Do it anyway even if you don't feel like it. Acting upon it would eventually I spire you to keep on doing it.

7. The Comparison Gap (Others are better than I am) ~ Get over the comparison gap! You learn when others are better than you.

8. The Expectation Gap (I thought it would be easier than this) ~ There is no easy road to any place that is worth going.

Making the Transition to Intentional Growth

1. Ask the big question now.

> Where do you want to go in life?

> What direction do you want to go?

> What's the farthest you can imagine going?

2. Do It Now

~ Have a sense of urgency about your intentional growth. Set aside specific time in your calendar for this.

1. Make a list of all of your best personal qualities. If you have positive self-esteem, then this will probably be easy for you. If you don't, it may be a struggle. Don't give up. If needed, spend days or weeks creating the list. Don't stop until you have written a hundred positive things about yourself.

If it took you a long time to create this list, then you need to spend time every day reading through it to remind yourself of your value. Remember, if you do not value yourself, you will have a very difficult time adding value to yourself. Using the list as a springboard, decide on the one word that best describes you. Make this word your North Star as you begin adding value to yourself.

2. Few things impact a person's self-esteem more than the way they talk to themselves on a day-to-day basis. Are you aware of how you talk to yourself? Keep track by using your smartphone or carrying

an index card so you can tally the number of times each day this week that you think something positive or negative about yourself. In addition, you can ask close friends or family members to tell you whether

they think you see yourself in a favorable or unfavorable light.

The questions in this chapter are designed to prompt you to know yourself and get on course to do what you were made to do in life.

Here is a streamlined version of the questions. Spend a significant amount of time answering them so you have a plan of action to follow when you’re done.

1. What would you like to do?

2. What talents, skills, and opportunities do you possess that support your desire to do it?

3. What are your motives for wanting to do it?

4. What steps must you take (beginning today) to start doing what you want to do?:

• Awareness

• Action

• Accountability

5. Whose advice can you get to help you along the way?

6. What price are you willing to pay? What will it cost you in time, resources, and sacrifices?

7. Where do you most need to grow? (You must focus on your strengths and overcome any weaknesses that would keep you from reaching your goal.)

You must become intentional about growth if you want to make your goals and fulfill your purpose. Some mistaken beliefs create gaps that keep you from growing and reaching your potential. Some of these misconceptions about growth include:

1) The Assumption Gap -- which makes you assume that you will automatically grow.“

2) The Knowledge Gap --I don't know how to grow."

3) The Timing Gap — It is not the right time to begin.

4)The Mistake Gap — I'm afraid of making mistakes.

5) The Perfection Gap — I have to find the best way before I start.

6) The Inspiration Gap — I don't feel like doing it.