IT is easy to drift through life without a clear direction, responding to circumstances rather than actively shaping them.
True progress comes from asking difficult questions: What plans do you have to grow and what is the timeframe?
What kind of person do you want to become? How do you want others to feel when they see you?
These questions can serve as a foundation for self-discovery and purposeful living. By addressing them thoughtfully and thoroughly, we can take charge of our lives and create meaningful change.
Planning for growth: A step-by-step approach
Without a clear plan, growth remains an abstract concept. Just as significant life events, such as weddings or career advancements, require careful planning, so does personal development. If we dedicate time and effort to organising events that last only a day, why would we not apply the same diligence to the life we live every single day?
Start by setting short-term, mid-term and long-term goals. In the next six months, identify a specific area of your life where you want to improve, whether it be personal discipline, physical health or professional development.
Create actionable steps to measure progress. Over the next year, aim for more substantial milestones that build upon your initial progress.
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Looking further ahead, in the next five years, envision the person you wish to become and craft a long-term strategy to get there. Small, consistent improvements compound over time leading to significant transformation.
A simple yet powerful approach is the “1% rule”: each day, commit to improving by just 1%.
This could be reading for 10 minutes, exercising for an extra five minutes or making one healthier food choice.
Over time, these small decisions accumulate and create lasting change.
Growth is not about overnight success but about steady, intentional effort.
Defining the person you want to be
Everyone has an ideal version of themselves in mind. Perhaps you envision yourself as strong, confident, kind or disciplined.
However, closing the gap between your current self and your ideal self requires honest reflection.
Write down the characteristics you aspire to have.
Then, take an equally honest look at where you currently stand. Identify the traits that need improvement and make a deliberate effort to cultivate them.
How do others perceive you?
We do not live in isolation. The way others perceive us often reflects the impact we have on the world. If people were to describe you in 10 words, what would they say? Would they call you kind, brave and inspiring or would they say you are distant, unmotivated or unkind? Answering this question honestly allows you to assess whether your actions align with the person you want to be.
If the gap between perception and aspiration is wide, do not be discouraged. Instead, see it as an opportunity for growth.
Identify specific behaviours that need adjustment.
If you want to be known as a generous person, start giving more, be it time, kindness or resources.
If you want to be seen as disciplined, commit to small daily habits that reinforce this trait.
Character is built through consistent, intentional effort.
Embracing Each Moment
Life moves forward whether we actively participate in shaping it or not. Each day is unique and will never come again. The challenges we face today will become part of our past and the future, though uncertain, will come with both joys and struggles. Knowing this, it is crucial to make the most of each moment.
Do not allow circumstances to dictate your growth. Instead, rise above challenges, remain committed to your goals, and continue striving for self-improvement.
Through highs and lows, through successes and failures, keep building the life you desire.
You have the power to shape your future, one step, one habit, and one decision at a time.
Be the version of yourself that can withstand difficulties, uplift others and leave a lasting legacy.
Growth is not a destination but a continuous journey and every small effort brings you closer to the person you are meant to be.
- Rutendo Kureya is a medical student at Saint Petersburg State Paediatric Medical University, Russia. She is passionate about issues concerning the state and welfare of fellow Zimbabweans. She can be reached at kureyaru@gmail.com. Mobile: +7 996 274 98 66 Facebook: Rutendo Kureya. She writes here in her personal capacity.
