For Leaders: Growing Thru Growing Pains

​Congratulations! You achieved a win. You blew through a checkpoint along the way to your next goal. Your hard work has paid off. You feel great, right? But it's not what you expected. You don't feel as great as you thought you would. Why? Because you are still facing challenges you thought you had overcome. Take a deep breath. There is a silver lining. Don't be discouraged. Let me help you.

​1. Look at yourself in the mirror.

You are not the same you that you used to be. You have grown. This is good news for at least a couple of reasons. For one, hurdles that used to feel 5' high now only feel 3' high. And, given your commitment to continued personal development, you are facing these challenges with an upgraded set of knowledge, skills, and abilities.  

2. You've attracted heavier hitters.

When you face familiar obstacles, you are better equipped to manage them, so they don't come as close to derailing you as they did in the past. But now that you are leading at a new level, you will face a new set of challenges. You've likely heard the expression that you don't know what you don't know. As you grow as a leader, you will face more nuanced headwinds. You may need to update your systems for personal growth, but whatever you do, don't interpret this pushback as defeat. You will always be growing. You will always be encountering the next Bowser. You never really beat the game. So, expect challenges. Fine tune your instincts. And give discouragement to God.