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There simply comes a time in all of our lives that our environment needs to change in order for growth to go to the next level. Lasting change depends on your choices. You may be familiar with the equation that says “Growth = Change. Realize that it is possible to change without growing, but it is impossible to grow without changing.

You see whether you are a success or failure in life has little to do with your circumstances; it has much more to do with your choices – Nido Qubein. What choices do you need to make so that you are in the midst of conducive surroundings that allow for growth. Consider the following choices that will place you into a growing environment.

1.Assess your current circumstance – Consider whether you are looking forward to what you are doing or looking back to what you have done. If the future looks dull and boring or confining you may need to start looking for a change of environment.

2.Change yourself and your environment – When you sense that a change of environment is going to occur the first consideration is to change yourself. John Maxwell suggests that if you change yourself but do not change your environment – growth will be slow and difficult. If you change your environment but not yourself growth will be slow and less difficult. But ultimately if your change yourself and your environment growth will occur faster and will be more successful.

3.Change who you spend time with – According to social psychologist Dr. McClelland states that the people that you associate with habitually are called your reference group. These people will determine as much as 95% of your success or failure in life. King Solomon of Israel stated that if we walk with wise we become wise, for a companion of of fools suffers harm. Speaker Charles Jones states that you are right now who you going to be five years from now with the exception of two things: the people you associate with and the books you read. Jim Rohm states that we become the average of the five people that we hang with the most.

4.Challenge yourself in your new environment – One thing is certain, when you get into a new growth environment you can spread your wings and start flying as never before. When you get into a new environment as these questions: What are the strengths of those around me in this new environment? What are these people learning that I need to learn right now? What are they reading that I have not read?

5.Focus on the Moment – Harvey Firestone Jr. stated that today is when everything that’s going to happen from now on begins.” Do not worry about the past, live fully in the present moment. Mother Teresa would say that yesterday if over, tomorrow has not arrived therefore live fully in this moment. Shirley Temple Black learned to live fully in the present from her mother-n-law. The end result should be to not worry about your past, do not dwell on your future because you cannot control it, focus on this moment and participate fully.

6.Move forward despite criticism – Growth always comes from taking action and taking action almost always brings criticism. Whatever path you choose there will always be someone to tell you that you made a mistake. Remember that someone’s opinion of you does not need to become your reality. When you take charge of your life you do not need to gain permission. When you do that you give them veto power. Do not misunderstand my line of thinking. When making big decisions seek wise council from trusted people, but at the end of the matter you male the choice.

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Music: “Gratitude Mood” by David Arivett. You can learn more about his music by clicking on his name. THANKS DAVID!