People tend to get into ruts in life. They get in an easy groove, and they don’t try to break out if it—even when it’s taking them in the wrong direction. After a while, they just get by. If they learn something, it’s because of a happy accident. Don’t let that happen to you! If that is the attitude you’ve developed, then you would do well to remember that the only difference between a rut and a grave is the length! How do you know if you’ve slipped into a rut? Take a look at the differences between accidental growth and intentional growth:
| ACCIDENTAL GROWTH | INTENTIONAL GROWTH |
| Thinks Like a Victim | Thinks Like a Learner |
| Waits for Growth to Come | Takes Complete Responsibility to Grow |
| Learns Only from Mistakes | Often Learns Before Mistakes |
| Depends on Good Luck | Relies on Hard Work |
| Quits Early and Often | Perseveres Long and Hard |
| Falls into Bad Habits | Fights for Good Habits |
| Talks Big | Follows Through |
| Plays It Safe | Takes Risks |
| Relies on Talent | Relies on Character |
In the long run, we shape our lives and we shape ourselves. The process never ends until we die. And the choices we make are ultimately our own responsibility.
If you want to reach your potential and become the person you were created to be, you must do much more than just experience life and hope that you learn what you need along the way. You must go out of your way to seize growth opportunities as if your future depended on it. Why? Because it does. Growth doesn’t just happen—not for me, not for you, not for anybody. You have to go after it!
