This is a guest post by M. Tohami.
Did you know that Sir Isaac Newton was obsessed with the occult and the supernatural?
Newton had a deep interest in things that are beyond our real world. He lived in bigger boundaries.
And that is the secret to real personal growth!
Imagine a container that’s half-filled with water.
If I asked you to grow this container, what would you do?
Most probably, you will add more water into it, right?
Unfortunately, that is the mistake most people do in their attempts to grow personally and professionally.
You add more of the same things into your existing container. For example, you add more certificates in your field of work, you get a promotion, you change companies, you change jobs, etc. You think that changing the environment or trying new things in the same field is going to help you grow.
Truth is that growth is never about adding more of the same thing in the same container!
“Real growth would be much more uncomfortable. It would kill the pattern, and in its place would be an expansion of possibility.” – Jonathan Mead
Growth is all about expanding, stretching or breaking the limits of your comfort zone. You grow when you do something that you’ve never done before … something that will scare you, excite you and make you totally uncomfortable.
If I ask you to grow the container, you should bring another one with a bigger size!
Isn’t that what we can call real growth?
Real growth happens when you become more, when you stretch your mind, when you increase your capacity, when you learn new skills, etc.
Check out this list of 50 things everyone should know how to do. And start learning one new trick or skill after the other. That’s growth.
Here are four things I’ve recently done to trigger real personal growth:
For years, my reading was only focused on non-fiction books. I only read personal development and business books. Then one day, I decided to expand my horizon by reading a fiction book. That was an amazing decision. I was introduced to a fantastic writing style and a whole new world of imagination. I found that reading fiction opens a pathway into an experience of unbelievable depths and richness.
The first time I camped in the desert was a scary, yet so exciting experience. You can’t imagine how it felt having dinner around fire and watching foxes playing around you. By doing something new, scary and exciting for the first time, you’ll broaden your perspective and experience.
“Change of scenery will beget a change of thought” – Barbara J. Winter
I’m a big fan of traveling. I believe that it is the best life recharger of all time. You can solve all of your problems by traveling to a new place. You can grow ten times each time you travel. Read this article by Derek Earl Baron who has managed to travel/live/work abroad non-stop for 12 years straight and counting!
Becoming an Entrepreneur. That’s probably the biggest growth step I’ve ever taken. Moving from being a corporate prisoner to becoming a free soul is THE BIGGEST leap you can take in your life. You will experience an avalanche of growth everyday. Being an entrepreneur requires a whole new mindset, actions and habits. It leads to a total life transformation. Yes, it’s scary, but if you’ve a passion to pursue, it is definitely worth it and it’s ultra-fulfilling.
What can you do today to make the size of your container bigger (i.e. to kickstart real growth)?
(Image by country_boy_shane)
Mohamed Tohami is a bestselling author and the creator of “The P.A.S. Technique: The World’s Easiest Way To Find Your Passion and Purpose In Life”. Visit hisTransformational Motivation blog now to grab your free copy of his special report 4 Steps to a Life of Passion and enjoy a unique, easy, expansive and lively motivational reading experience.
Powerful stuff! I’m a big advocate when it comes to personal growth. However, I made the mistake of thinking years ago that it strictly entailed positive thinking. Then, I realized that personal growth has more to do with stepping out into the unfamiliar and the unknown. It’s about venturing out into no-man’s land with no security blanket or safety net, and taking a risk. It’s scary, but it’s also very rewarding in the end.
Anthony Thompson invites you to read… Self Management – The Greatest Sales Books Ever Written
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M. Tohami Reply:
June 13th, 2012 at 3:48 am
Thanks Anthony. Like you said, stepping out into the unfamiliar is what we can call REAL GROWTH.
M. Tohami invites you to read… 20 Photo-Illustrated Quotes to Ignite Your Passion
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Hi Mohamed,
Welcome to Stacy’s place and we’re happy to have you. I agree with Anthony, what a powerful post.
I would have just said fill the glass up instead of get another one but the more I read the more I understood what you meant. I have really expanded myself since coming online. Of course deciding to even venture online was a huge step for me and took me outside my comfort zone. But that’s what I needed in order to grow.
You mentioned that you now read a good amount of fiction that helps you become more creative. I enjoy watching TV and no I’m not a couch potato. But I have found a lot of shows that really inspire me and help me to see that my life is great and I certainly have it better than most.
Thanks for such a powerful message. I really enjoyed reading this one.
Hope you both have a wonderful week.
~Adrienne
Adrienne invites you to read… The Ultimate Guide To Blogging Success
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M. Tohami Reply:
June 13th, 2012 at 3:50 am
Thanks a lot Adrienne. Stacy has been so kind to allow me to share my ideas with you. I love to watch “Got Talent” shows. They inspire me very much.
M. Tohami invites you to read… 20 Photo-Illustrated Quotes to Ignite Your Passion
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Very good points and I think this is something we can all easily get stuck in when it comes to personal growth. It can be really hard to step outside our comfort zones in order to allow ourselves to grow, but it’s also so important to be able to grow. It’s usually the first step that’s the hardest though, and once you get a taste for how those changes in your life can affect you for the better, then it becomes something you’ll want even more and strive towards. Thank you for the awesome post, lots to think about!
Blair invites you to read… How To Wake Up Early Tip: Humans Are Creatures Of Habit
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M. Tohami Reply:
June 13th, 2012 at 3:51 am
You hit on a very important point Blair. We need to taste the effect of the changes we do. That’s why it is very important to start small. When you taste success, you’ll be motivated to taste more.
M. Tohami invites you to read… 20 Photo-Illustrated Quotes to Ignite Your Passion
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I used to be scared to step out of my comfort zone because I didn’t want to be judged by other people. Now, I could care less what other people think of me. I think that has something to do with the early success that I have had in life and now I am more focused on what I am doing as opposed to what other people think about what I am doing.
Great article and thanks for sharing this with us.
Adam
Adam Snyder invites you to read… 3 Dumb Services Business Ideas That Made Money
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M. Tohami Reply:
June 13th, 2012 at 3:53 am
Excellent Adam! I once read this, “What you think of me is non of my business”
M. Tohami invites you to read… 20 Photo-Illustrated Quotes to Ignite Your Passion
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By not limiting yourself of everything success is attainable. When I was young, I’ll just focus on what I want and the rest is set side which is bad mentality. If you just do the same thing over and over again, nothing will happen to you. You’ll stay remain.
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M. Tohami Reply:
June 13th, 2012 at 3:54 am
Yes, that is the definition of insanity … Doing the same thing over and over and expect different results.
M. Tohami invites you to read… 20 Photo-Illustrated Quotes to Ignite Your Passion
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I have to admit I don some mistake in my personal growth, the problem is we can’t avoid it specially when there is criticism.I really appreciate this great article that talks about human being.
Kate invites you to read… SMS
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M. Tohami Reply:
June 13th, 2012 at 3:54 am
Thanks Kate. Like Adam, you should care less about what others think of you. Passionate people are usually called crazy
M. Tohami invites you to read… 20 Photo-Illustrated Quotes to Ignite Your Passion
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I don’t know what to say but that this is a great post, and I love the personal development reminder and the metaphor you used.
Alicia invites you to read… Choosing the Right Career Path
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M. Tohami Reply:
June 13th, 2012 at 3:56 am
Thanks a lot Alicia for your feedback. I’m happy to know that you like the article and the metaphor.
M. Tohami invites you to read… 20 Photo-Illustrated Quotes to Ignite Your Passion
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My personaal growth is trying to stay peaceful, happy, and as stress free as possible. That is easier said then done, but I have been working on it and made noticable changes.
I feel more at peace with myself and my life. I stopped trying to be like someone on T.V or on the radio an started getting more in touch with my inner self.
I have obtained peace from spending more time reading. Reading has always been something that I never did enough of when I was younger, but lately, I have been making time to read the Bible, which has brought a lot of insight to my life.
Another thing that has helped me become more at peace is just helping others and trying to make the world a better place. If I know I am doing something that can help another then that makes me happy and feel good.
Best Wishes,
William Veasley
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M. Tohami Reply:
June 13th, 2012 at 3:58 am
You’re awesome William. Read and grow rich
I believe reading opens your eyes to whole new worlds.
M. Tohami invites you to read… 20 Photo-Illustrated Quotes to Ignite Your Passion
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wow, powerful post, ive been working on myself (personal growth) for the past 10 years now and have peace in my head and happiness in my heart, this means more to me than all the possesions and money in the world
henry invites you to read… iOS 6 Already Gets Jailbreak Treatment, Not Ready For Public Beta Just Yet
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M. Tohami Reply:
June 13th, 2012 at 3:59 am
Yes, Henry. Inner peace is much more valuable than possessions and money. It’s all about experience and maximizing joy. Some of the best things in life are free.
M. Tohami invites you to read… 20 Photo-Illustrated Quotes to Ignite Your Passion
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This is a great guest post. I love pushing myself outside my comfort zone in my personal life and in my biz. Results tell the whole story, of course. It tells whether or not and well, how often I’ve pushed outside my comfort zone. I love the idea of doing different things. When I was a bicycle racer, I trained my weaknesses, not my strengths, so I’ve worked on applying that principle to other life areas, such as biz. For example, I need to get better at marketing in person. So, there is always learning and growth. I think travel too is a great way to expand yourself
Lisa invites you to read… Caution: Spiritual Teacher Uses Rock and Roll Music as a Tool
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M. Tohami Reply:
June 13th, 2012 at 4:01 am
Great Lisa. I believe marketing is a mandatory skill to learn whether you want to be an entrepreneur or want to market yourself to find your dream career.
M. Tohami invites you to read… 20 Photo-Illustrated Quotes to Ignite Your Passion
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The dessert camping trip really caught my attention. I love to face my fears. In fact, when I get really nervous about doing something, I often force myself to do it just because I know I will most likely encounter some sort of personal growth from doing it.
Bellaisa invites you to read… Where to Find a Good Guy
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M. Tohami Reply:
June 13th, 2012 at 4:02 am
You are so right Bellaisa. When we do something we are afraid of, we will certainly encounter some sort of personal growth.
M. Tohami invites you to read… 20 Photo-Illustrated Quotes to Ignite Your Passion
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Hi there, You have made very good points in this post. I am used with the difficulties in life. You know what every time I face it I feel myself stronger and stronger. Thanks for this inspiring post.
Soulpower invites you to read… The List of British Monarchs
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M. Tohami Reply:
June 13th, 2012 at 4:05 am
Thanks Soulpower. What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger. Keep on conquering difficulties and getting stronger everyday.
M. Tohami invites you to read… 20 Photo-Illustrated Quotes to Ignite Your Passion
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Some people spend their whole lives just reading self-help spiritual books without taking any action to change their life. Only through action can you truly change your life.
I’ve been pushing my comfort zone by challenging myself to ask 5 different people for money everyday. Going outside of my comfort zone and facing my fears around asking people for money helps me realize all the limiting beliefs I have around money, so I can clear them and receive my money miracle.
Rad invites you to read… Why Denying the Beast Within Never Works
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For some reason, I can’t understand why people prefer to be in their comfort zone and not outside of the box. Chances of growing is not in our comfort zone and yet they keep on saying that they want to grow but not trying out something new. Yes it is risky but it’s a challenge if how they will handle and be successful at it. Our life will not be happy if we stick within four corners of our house.
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That’s an interesting habit Rad. I would love to hear about your results. Do you ask them for money in exchange of something. Or do you just ask for money?
M. Tohami invites you to read… 20 Photo-Illustrated Quotes to Ignite Your Passion
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Oh, yes, for sure…marketing is a great skill to have in any field or endeavor.
Lisa invites you to read… Caution: Spiritual Teacher Uses Rock and Roll Music as a Tool
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New things often look frightening. I’m actually pretty scared of them. But that’s ok. I know it’s a part of the learning process. And once you do the ‘new thing’, it’s often easier and far less intimidating than it sounds.
Like Nike say’s, just do it! And if you didn’t like it, than at least you have the experience of doing it once
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It’s true that we should try new things out and learn to go out from our comfort zone to explore things that could make us better and stronger.
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This article speaks a lot about correcting our mistakes. It really makes us more positive if we knew how to face it.
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Hi Tohami, You have made very good points in this post.
I have interested in reading personal development blogs.when your thinking is change then you get growth but when your thinking is all ways positively then we get “real growth” in life.
thanks
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You nailed it Sir Tohami. There are times that we are not doing thing right and yet we dont manage to notice it.
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been there done that! And it really helps a lot to get out of that shell and explore the world. Mistakes and fears will always be there even if you wont try. It’s the difference on what you can make that matters!
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Sometimes we do such mistake, but this is a part of our life and this is how we learn.
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Growth of every person is important to us and it gives us courage to further improve our personality.
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I have to admit I have done some mistake in my personal growth,I really appreciate this great article that talks about human being.
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Hi Tohami,
Vary interesting post.”Real growth would be much more uncomfortable” yes i totally agree with you.You are listed above beautiful points and thanks for share this post with us.
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Nice post.Best friend will always tell you what are the drawbacks you have.I feel this article is my friend and it show me many drawbacks which i have in my life. Tohami i thanks a lot for this post and i should read your remaining posts also.
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I tell my employees to work harder on themselves than they do at their jobs is a double win. It helps grow the business and makes them more valuable to me and the marketplace. When I keep doing what I’ve always done, I’ll keep getting what I’ve always got. Cheers!
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