You need to outrun your emos
Your emos are things that give you emotions.
You, most likely, are aware that Life is a race! You are at any moment of your life chasing one thing, whilst another thing is chasing you; you know, the kind of race that exists between the lion and the gazelle (one of the antelope species).
For instance, when it comes to pursuing wealth, you are a lion. And, when it comes to paying bills, you are a gazelle. Whatever the case is, you need to run fast enough, otherwise you will not achieve your objective and you will lose miserably. Christopher McDougall puts it this way… “Every morning in Africa, a gazelle wakes up, it knows it must outrun the fastest lion or it will be killed. Every morning in Africa, a lion wakes up. It knows it must run faster than the slowest gazelle, or it will starve. It doesn’t matter whether you’re the lion or a gazelle-when the sun comes up, you’d better be running.” And Personal Development is one means to get you to run fast indeed! In every area or aspect of your life.
The world is changing very fast; we are constantly seeing the emergence of astonishing technological advancements. And we can all agree with Horatio Nelson Jackson that, “You can’t do today’s job with yesterday’s methods and be in business tomorrow”. Take for instance the field of Generative AI (Artificial Intelligence). There are hundreds of new tools that simplify work processes in every sphere of human endeavour. But no employer, parent or guardian can commit adequately to getting you to become abreast of these tools for your needs. So, the onus is on you to educate yourself in that area. By doing so you will be making yourself the preferred service provider in your field as you will be able to deliver services quickly and at more competitive prices. You will be throwing yourself in the path of opportunities. As Thomas Edison said, “We should remember that good fortune often happens when opportunity meets with preparation.”
A lot of people are conscious of professional development by way of mainstream courses but less than 20% know of personal development, let alone do it so your devotion to personal development in addition to professional growth will set you apart. And because conscious employers and HRs are now focusing on hiring for attitude and training for skills, your journey in Personal Development can retain you over a more professionally qualified person.
Indeed, without proper personal development on your part, you are likely to suffer some of the following…
- Stagnation in Skills: Without ongoing development, individuals risk becoming stagnant in their skill set, potentially falling behind in a rapidly evolving professional landscape.
- Limited Career Advancement: Lack of personal and professional growth may limit career advancement opportunities. Competitors who actively pursue development may surpass in terms of skills and qualifications.
- Reduced Job Satisfaction: Employees who feel stuck or unchallenged in their roles may experience reduced job satisfaction, leading to disengagement and potentially affecting overall morale.
- Inability to Adapt to Change: Continuous learning and growth enhance adaptability. Without this, individuals may struggle to cope with industry changes, technological advancements, or shifts in job responsibilities.
- Risk of Obsolescence: In dynamic fields, staying relevant is crucial. Failure to adapt and grow may result in skills becoming obsolete, potentially making individuals less valuable in the job market.
- Decreased Innovation: Personal development fosters creativity and innovative thinking. Without it, individuals may become less inclined to propose new ideas, hindering overall innovation within the organization.
- Limited Leadership Potential: Leadership qualities often develop through personal and professional growth experiences. Without these experiences, individuals may struggle to demonstrate leadership potential.
- Weakened Problem-Solving Skills: Growth opportunities often involve facing challenges and solving problems. Lack of such experiences may result in weakened problem-solving skills, hindering an individual’s ability to navigate complex situations.
- Impact on Team Dynamics: Team members who aren’t actively developing may struggle to contribute effectively, potentially affecting team dynamics and collaboration.
- Higher Turnover Rates: Employees seeking growth and development may be more inclined to leave an organization that doesn’t provide such opportunities, leading to higher turnover rates and associated costs.
- Missed Opportunities: Individuals who don’t pursue personal and professional growth may miss out on valuable opportunities for career advancement, skill acquisition, and expanding their professional network.
In summary, not undertaking personal development and professional growth can have detrimental effects on yourself as an individual and the organisations you work for.
Generally, a lack of emphasis on personal development and professional growth within an organization can contribute to a negative culture, where employees feel undervalued or uninvested in their long-term success. It is essential for individuals to recognize the importance of continuous learning and for organisations to foster a culture that encourages and supports ongoing development.
