2016 so far has felt like a period of growth in lots of different ways. The first month of the year saw me grow with my blog by launching the #BloggingBreakthrough eBook, I’m continuing to grow in my career by learning more and being given more responsibility, and I’m growing in my personal life by the different chapters that are starting to appear.

Reflecting on all of this recently has got me thinking about how crucial growth is for each and every one of us, and how we should embrace that every day.

We start to grow taller from when we are little - that’s growth we can see. But it’s actually the growth we can’t see that’s more important. The growth during school when we’re becoming the person we’re supposed to be. The growth during university and work, where we’re becoming independent. And the continuous growth throughout our lives where we get to understand who we are.

So today, I wanted to share with you, not only why this is important - but also some small things you can do every single day that will help you see your growth.

Say yes to something out of your comfort zone

This is key to embracing growth. A quote I’ve used a lot on this blog is, “if you do what you’ve always done, then you’ll get what you’ve always got”. It’s so true here. If you don’t do things to challenge yourself, how do you expect to grow? You can apply it to anything.

Really, one of the biggest things out of my comfort zone that I said yes to was starting this blog. If you’ve done that, then really, you should have the mindset that you can take on any other challenge too.

It’s scary to try things outside of your comfort zone. But you’ll never know how it went unless you try. Plus, that means you’ll grow either way and always learn something from it.

Allow for change

I’m not a risk-taker. I’m not a fan of big change. But sometimes, change is happening for a reason that we might not understand yet. And if we don’t understand it, then we should embrace it to see what happens. Just because we might not like it immediately, doesn't mean it won’t benefit us in the long run.

Whether it’s introducing a new category on your blog, trying a new job using some new skills you’ve developed or negative change such as losing a job - for now, believe in the path you’re on and have faith in the positive direction the change will take you. You might not have power over the change, but you’ve definitely got power over how you let the change affect you.

Write down one thing you’ve learnt

I definitely believe that we learn new things every day. It might not be like school where we’re actively being taught something. It gets different from that as you get older. It doesn't have to be a fact or a formula. It could be something about yourself, your friend, your other half. Something about the place you live, the job you’re in or your blog.

Try writing down every day one thing that you’ve learnt, no matter how big or small it is. If you don’t think you’re growing, one look back at everything you’ve written down will change your mind.

Think positively about everything

Something I’ve learnt during my life so far is that a positive mindset is key to everything. The way you think and perceive things changes everything. I used to see it in myself all the time, that negativity. It affected everyone around me. It made me stay stuck in that same place, thinking I didn’t have a way out. Only when I had that breakthrough and changed my outlook to a positive one, was when things changed for the better.

The only problem people find with this is that it’s down to you. You and you alone are responsible for your thoughts. But really, it’s simple. Think negatively and you stop growth. Think positively everyday, and you will grow everyday.

Take note of life lessons

None of us would have got to where we are today on our own. I know I definitely wouldn’t. We all come across situations in our lives when we need help and advice. And until we get to that place, we don’t really pay attention much to the lessons we’re being taught on a daily basis. But they’re there, ready for us to learn.

I learn something from my parents every single day, whether it’s just from something they’re doing or if I’ve asked them for help. But throughout your life you’ve got to be observant. Watch the people closest to you. Learn from them. They’re teaching you these things for a reason. You can’t expect yourself to grow unless you take advantage of the wisdom that others pass onto you.

Don’t wish - do

Wish you could be in a better job? Wish you had more motivation? Wish you were a more successful blogger? I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but usually, the things we wish for can look like we’re in a negative situation. We always wish for what we don’t have, right?

You’ll be familiar with this quote: “A dream without a plan is just a wish”. Well, it is. Because there’s no point in wishing for things if you’re not going to take any action to actually make them happen. And that’s where your growth comes in.

You only have to take baby steps. Work backwards and formulate a plan. Take the job example - what path will you have to take to get from where you are now to where you want to be? Visualise the steps you’ll have to take. Visualise yourself doing them and completing them. Make yourself shine. Big yourself up. Get yourself out there. Research industries. Connect with people. Build your portfolio and reputation. If you wait and wish for things, you’ll never see them. But if you do what you can to get there, not only have you more chance of achieving your goals, but think about how much you’ll grow along the way too.

We are growing as people every single day, whether we realise it or not. And that means we’re never staying the same. Growth is a good thing - so why not let it happen?

What are your thoughts on growth? Do you see how you’ve grown as a person over time? What to do you do to help that growth happen?