The following contains excerpts from the book The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth (John Maxwell).
At our music school in Odessa, Texas we believe that music is not merely sound, but, at its core, relationships. The role of the subject of Leadership in understanding relationships cannot be overstated, and one of the most important principles of successful leadership is learning to lead one’s self well. If a person cannot lead himself, he cannot lead others successfully.
In learning to lead one’s self well, the understanding of continual growth is of paramount importance. At our music school in Odessa, Texas, we instill into students the idea of continual, life-long improvement. Success is never achieved in an instant, but rather over years of patient, consistent practice and focus. The process of mastering one’s craft can only be achieved by seeking to grow every day, even if it seems infinitesimal. Seeking the smallest bit of growth each day, over time, will cause exponential growth. Daily attention to detail, patiently participating in the process of learning, and focusing on core competencies, or as someone else calls it ‘core conditioning’ is the very definition of success.
This is a comprehensive and expansive volume of information, compiled over a lifetime of his own journey of personal growth. I found his ideas to be mature, fresh and candid.
A summary of the Laws is as follows:
- The Law of Intentionality: Growth doesn’t just happen. 8 Gaps to growth: 1) I assume that I will automatically grow, 2) I don’t know how to grow, 3) It’s not the right time to begin, 4) I’m afraid of making mistakes, 5) I have to find the best way before I start, 6) I don’t feel like doing it, 7) Others are better than I am, 8) I thought it would be easier than this
At our music school in Odessa, Texas, we see students go through the above-mentioned process of realizing the growth is not automatic, but requires a decision and a commitment.
- The Law of Awareness: You must know yourself to grow yourself. “No one can produce great things who is not thoroughly sincere in dealing with himself.” (James Russell Lowell)
Perhaps one of the greatest values we can offer students in our music school in Odessa, Texas is to provide them with honest feedback of where they are, as well as helping them imagine possibilities based upon their unique giftedness.
- The Law of the Mirror: You must see value in yourself to add value to yourself. Personal development is the belief that you are worth the effort, time and energy to develop yourself.
- The Law of Reflection: Learning to pause allows growth to catch up with you. “Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action.” (Peter Drucker)
- The Law of Consistency: Motivation gets you going, discipline keeps you growing. The hallmark of excellence, the test of greatness is consistency.
As stated above, at our music school in Odessa, Texas we teach our students to value consistent, daily growth, rather than overnight cramming in preparation for upcoming events and commitments.
- The Law of Environment: Growth thrives in conducive surroundings. The first step toward success is taken when you refuse to be a captive to the environment you first find yourself in.
We strive to maintain a positive and encouraging environment for students to be challenged, yet encouraged at our music school in Odessa, Texas.
- The Law of Design: To maximize growth, develop strategies. “If you don’t design your own life plan, chances are you’ll fall into someone else’s plan. And guess what they may have planned for you? Not much.” (Jim Rohn)
- The Law of Pain: Good management of bad experiences leads to great growth. “Every problem introduces a person to himself” (John McDonald)
- The Law of the Ladder: character growth determines the height of your personal growth. Achievement to most people is something you do. To the high achiever, it is something you are.
- The Law of the Rubber-band: Growth stops when you lose the tension between where you are and where you could be. Only a mediocre person is always at his best.
- The Law of Trade-offs: You have to give up, to grow up. People will cling to an unsatisfactory way of life rather than change in order to get something better for fear of getting something worse.
- The Law of Curiosity: Growth is stimulated by asking, “Why?” “Some men see things as they are and ask, “Why?” Others dream things that never were and ask, “Why not?” (George Bernard Shaw)
- The Law of Modeling: It’s hard to improve when you have no one but yourself to follow. The most important personal growth phrase you will ever hear a good leader say to you is: “Follow me.”
At our music school in Odessa, Texas we endeavor to model to our students what we are asking of them, providing them with a good role-model to follow after. We encourage the value of character, as well as talent and skill.
- The Law of Expansion: Growth always increases your capacity. “There is no finish-line.” (Nike commercial)
- The Law of Contribution: Growing yourself enables you to grow others. If you’re not doing something with your life, it doesn’t matter how long it is. Giving of your time, energy and resources without expecting anything in return is an unselfish act that makes the world a better place.
Ultimately, we hope our students will not only grow to their potential uniquely and individually, but also to find their way into roles in society in which they can make a positive contribution. Perhaps some will become leaders, some teachers, some performers and creators. Whatever path a student takes, the core principles instilled in their development as musicians and artists still remain foundational to their decisions and contributions over time.
These laws of personal growth are foundational for success in life. Applying these traits on a daily basis, having a mindset to continually improve for the purpose of benefitting ourselves and those we are around is possibly the highest achievement in life.