In my experience with coaching and counseling, I can safely conclude that not everyone that says they want to get better actually truly want to get better. Many of us have lofty values and goals but can't seem to commit to the necessary habits and practices needed to create results and unfortunately, results are the name of the game. Essentially, show me your results and I'll tell you how committed you really are. We talk all day long about what we think and what we know but our lives tell very different stories. Personal and professional growth will only come when we set our face like flint and commit ourselves to doing the work that needs to get done.

Just like 20 years of work experience could very well be one year's worth of experience twenty times over, growing is not as easy as it sounds. If we don't take responsibility for our own growth and development, it just never happens. And when it doesn't happen, there is no-one else out there to blame but ourselves. Sadly, we can't blame the government. We can't point fingers at the economy. What is going on out there is really not and will never be the core issue. The problem is all connected to what is going on inside of us. If we can make the necessary changes and have the will and courage to adjust what's happening on the inside, everything on the outside of us also starts to adjust. Until then, our gears will be forever stuck in neutral, moving in whatever direction that the winds of life moves us; lost at sea with no defining anchor.

I came across this quote by Gilbert Arland that is quite profound: "When an archer misses the mark he turns and looks for the fault within himself. Failure to hit the bull's eye is never the fault of the target. To improve your aim, improve yourself."

Are you growing yourself so you can hit your target? Remember, nothing changes until you change.