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7 Questions That Measure Your Growth As An Adult
None of them have anything to do with money, fame, or success
How do you compare to the person you were ten, twenty, or thirty years ago? Are you kinder, braver, more principled? I’m fifty now, and those metrics matter to me. But that wasn’t always the case.
In my twenties, I lusted after money, job titles, and sex as trophies of a successful life. Those success criteria now seem laughable and childish. Yet, many of my peers still chase after the same cravings that drove them in their twenties. They’re frustrated with life. They feel left behind even though they’re rich. They’re aggrieved despite being blessed and privileged.
That’s what happens when you live a life without growth. You look to the same shallow fixes to subdue your cravings, reaching a point where you seek out more money, a flashier car, a hotter partner, knowing it will bring you only a fleeting sense of pleasure or satisfaction.
Chasing those glimpses of happiness will exhaust you.
So, what’s the alternative? How can we measure our progress as we trek through life? We need to measure ourselves against the proper criteria. These questions, answered monthly, serve as an effective tool for self-assessment.
Are you slightly embarrassed by your past?
I did a lot of stupid things as a teenager, even as a twenty-something. I dished out mean jibes, believed in nonsense, and disregarded common sense. But I’ve come to accept that embarrassment over my past is a good thing. It means I’ve learned from my experiences, gained perspective, and matured.
You don’t get to that point by chance. You must be vulnerable enough to examine your past objectively and open-minded enough to accept fault or responsibility for past deeds, missteps, and hurtful words.
It’s challenging at first, but soon, you’ll realize that examining your past makes you wiser, more empathetic, and more forgiving.
How have you failed lately, and who’s to blame?
We mostly think of failure as an undesirable result stemming from a venture with an unknown outcome. Going…
