The Principle of Personal Growth

It's fascinating how everything in nature strives to reach its full potential, except for us. A tree doesn’t grow 10 feet and think, "I should stop growing to spare the feelings of the 8-foot trees." That would be absurd! A tree continues to grow until it can no longer extend its roots deeper — it fulfills its potential. The same applies to everything else in nature, but we have a unique challenge. We possess consciousness and free will, enabling us to choose whether to live beneath our potential or in a state of complacency. We can also decide to leverage our circumstances and lead an extraordinary life that motivates others.

The Principle Defined

In life, what you attain is directly related to who you are and who you become. You can always achieve more because you can always grow into more.

Biblical Insights on Success

The Bible serves as my go-to guide for success, and this principle is grounded in scripture — specifically Genesis 1:26. When I reference scripture, my intention is to uplift the Kingdom rather than recite hollow religious doctrine. In this passage, God presents one of humanity's most significant principles:

BE → DO → HAVE

The initial command given to humanity was to "be fruitful." This is crucial; why would God emphasize fruitfulness? A fruit is a living entity, and its ability to produce lies within itself. We are meant to embody that fruitful process.

The secret to progress lies in becoming more, not merely doing more.

I abandoned my obsession with relentless hustle and grind long ago. Not only is it a drain on energy, but it’s also unnecessary. While studying scripture, I stumbled upon a profound truth that made me realize I had been misled into thinking that hard work alone was the key to advancement. Ecclesiastes 2:26 (AMP) revealed another pathway to success. While the entire verse has much to explore, I want to emphasize this excerpt:

"For to the person who pleases Him, God gives wisdom, knowledge, and joy; but to the sinner, He gives the work of gathering and collecting so that he may give to one who pleases God. This too is vanity and chasing after the wind."

Upon reading about gathering and collecting, the hustle culture immediately came to mind. I’m not suggesting that hard work and effort are futile, but their effectiveness is often overstated.

Just like an apple tree, which naturally produces apples without effort, we too can achieve our goals without trying too hard. You don’t need additional resources or a “5 steps to success” video. Instead, you need to align yourself with authenticity.

Congruence & Authenticity

These two concepts are crucial for advancing your goals and attracting those who can help you achieve them more swiftly.

Congruence means being in sync or harmony; it’s where true confidence resides, where our words and actions align. If we want any form of progress, this is where we must begin. We should normalize our words becoming our reality. This might sound trivial, but it is essential for personal success. For instance, if you say, “I will be there at 8 PM,” you need to be there when the clock strikes 8. Or if you commit to doing 10 push-ups, you must complete them regardless of distractions or obstacles.

When we cultivate a habit of aligning our spoken words with our actions, we impress our subconscious, and it shapes our identity.

Authenticity builds what is often referred to as "self-esteem." I place quotes around this term because, contrary to popular belief, I don't think esteem can exist in isolation. A doctor cannot be recognized as competent until they demonstrate their knowledge and skills to their peers. They may believe they are excellent doctors, but without validation, their self-assessment is less credible. This principle applies to us as well; while we may hold ourselves in high regard, external validation often reinforces that belief. This is why testimonials and product reviews greatly influence a company's reputation and sales.

Important Note

This discussion is not about seeking validation but rather about establishing trust. You should strive to be a congruent individual, and others should be able to affirm your desired self-representation.

Conclusion: Embrace Growth

To gain more, you must become more. When you embody kindness, it naturally flows from your actions. Success works the same way. One important realization is that successful individuals are not "trying" to succeed any more than unsuccessful ones are trying to fail. Our experiences are shaped by our subconscious mind, which acts as our thermostat. The conscious mind may fluctuate (experiencing joy or sadness), but we always revert to our baseline — our habitual thoughts and behaviors.

Application: Shift Your Mindset

Change your belief from "doing more" to "becoming more." I find it helpful to write a new belief on an index card and repeat it over 30 times a day. Make small commitments to yourself and follow through, no matter how trivial they may seem. Treat your words as valuable as you would treat your boss's words. Do not compromise on your commitments unless absolutely necessary. Stand firm in your agreements.

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The video titled "When You Stop Trying, It Happens | The Psychology of the Flow State" explores how letting go of excessive effort can lead to a more fulfilling and productive state of being.

In the video "Let Your Life Unfold the Way It's Supposed To | Embrace the Flow & Stop Forcing Yourself," viewers learn the importance of allowing life to naturally progress without forcing outcomes.