A Journey Of Growth: Embracing The Process & The Fundamentals

“The most important battles must be fought anew each day. Exercising today does not render tomorrow’s workout unnecessary. Supporting your spouse today does not mean you can mail it in tomorrow. Learn to love the endless nature of things & life gets easier” — James Clear

We are already through the first 59 days of the year and the question I keep asking myself is, am I growing? The part of me used to instant results is actually saying no, while the logical part of me, the part that is measuring my daily progress is saying; “you are not doing bad, keep moving.”

When it comes to growth, the number one story that I keep motivating myself with is the “Chinese Bamboo Tree” story. I’m sure you’ve heard about it… “water until x number of years and nothing happens.. and boom! it shoots up”

Aha, here’s the story in brief from Matt Morris

Like any plant, growth of the Chinese Bamboo Tree requires nurturing — water, fertile soil, sunshine. In its first year, we see no visible signs of activity. In the second year, again, no growth above the soil. The third, the fourth, still nothing. Our patience is tested and we begin to wonder if our efforts (caring, water, etc.) will ever be rewarded.

And finally in the fifth year — behold, a miracle! We experience growth. And what growth it is! The Chinese Bamboo Tree grows 80 feet in just six weeks!

What I have learned about the process

Over the past two months (ie January & February), I have come to see the process as a routine and I am learning to fall in love with the process because that’s the only way around growth. James Clear puts it beautifully in the piece below

Learn to love the endless nature of things and life gets easier — James Clear

For me, in the coming months, I just want to keep falling in love with the endless nature of things, waking up, praying, reading for 30mins, studying for an hour, exercising for 30mins, sending that good morning text, attending accountability meetings.. over and over again!

What I have learned about the fundamentals!

If you’re a Ghanaian, I’m sure you’ve heard the quote by someone special,“when the fundamentals are weak, the exchange rate will expose you!”

Well, this is sort of true in everyday life, career, relationships and all. The past two months has been about revisiting my fundamentals in life, career, relationships. Going back to the whys, the principles behind every decision and action I take, ensuring that every thing I do somewhat follows a principle or logic.

In my faith life, it has been about going back to the basics, who am I? Who is God? What is my perception of God? Where does the universe come from? What is my purpose etc?

The goal is to ask the basic questions in the various areas of my life and try to find some answers. Sometimes it is good to take a step back and actually think about all that is happening around your life & that’s what I have been up to.

So yes, I decided to share this on embracing the journey & the fundamentals. I wish to get back to writing a lot about my learnings in life and sharing them. So yes, this is the first piece!

I will end with a quote from the late Kobe Bryant:

The days that you wake up and don’t feel like doing anything but you actually do.. and show up…
That’s the dream.. it’s not the destination.. it is the PROCESS

Yes, the dream is to wakeup everyday and show up! Show up at work, family, relationships, and every area of our lives!

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I wish you a happy new month in advance! May March be awesome & amazing!