A few years ago, a dear friend pointed out that my recent professional training at the time was missing from my LinkedIn profile. I responsed with some weak ramble, but the truth was, I couldn't be bothered because I had not embraced my new growth step. Over the years, I have invested heavily in my continuous personal and professional growth and development. I have since become intentional in embracing my journey of becoming. The lags between who I was and who I have become are much shorter. I have grown to realise that to start well in our new season and settle into it quickly, we must constantly reintroduce ourselves to who we are today.
One of the greatest challenges of moving into a new season is our ability to embrace our new identity in that season. We are often so comfortable with who we have been that we struggle to step into who we have grown to become. This resistance can hinder our progress and slow down our integration into the new season, despite the significant growth we've achieved.
Have you ever invested in your personal and professional growth, only to continue with life as usual? It's common to overlook the growth and investment we’ve made in ourselves. Without intentional effort to integrate the new skills and awareness into our new season, we risk falling back into old habits and ways of presenting ourselves, slowing down our progress.
Recognising and embracing our growth requires intentional reflection. Here are a few steps to help integrate new skills and awareness into your new season:
1. Acknowledge Your Achievements: Take time to reflect on what you’ve accomplished. Write down the awareness and skills you’ve developed and the milestones you’ve reached. This is especially crucial when navigating entrepreneurship growth and business transition.
2. Update Your Professional Profiles: Ensure your professional profiles and resumes reflect your latest skills and achievements. This not only showcases your growth but also reinforces your new identity, which is essential when pivoting in business.
3. Share Your Journey: Talk about your growth with family, friends, peers and mentors. Sharing your journey helps solidify your new identity and can inspire others, especially in mentorship and entrepreneurship circles.
4. Set New Goals: Align your new awareness and skills with your future goals. Setting new, relevant goals keeps you moving forward and prevents you from falling back into old patterns, helping you avoid common entrepreneurial mistakes.
5. Seek Feedback: Engage with like-minded peers and mentors who can provide feedback on your progress. Constructive feedback helps you stay on track and continue growing, keeping you aware of emerging trends and issues in entrepreneurship.
Continuous growth is a journey that requires ongoing effort and intentionality. As you move into new seasons, remember to reintroduce yourself to your new identity and get comfortable in it. This practice not only helps you integrate more smoothly into your new season but also accelerates your progress and success.
As you take the time and make the requisite space, you’ll find yourself more equipped to embrace who you’ve become and step confidently into each new season of your life with confidence and courage.
