I recently heard one of the presidential candidates asked about why their view had changed on an issue. Their response was something like: “I don’t think we want a President who never changes his mind, who doesn’t listen to new arguments, who isn’t open to change.”

This is an incredibly valuable question, because while you have surely grown and changed in many ways over the past year, it is sometimes hard to see or notice. Asking this question is like taking a fresh look at the plant in your living room, or seeing a niece of nephew after several months and thinking - “My how they’ve grown!”

Just like we don’t notice the changes in the plant, and yet notice changes in children when we haven’t seen them in awhile, we might not take notice of the changes and growth because we live with ourselves everyday.

When I ask myself this question I notice growth in a variety of ways. I have learned much about the publishing process over the past year, I have learned more about real estate and a variety of other legal matters. These lessons make me different and more versatile in conversation and in my thinking.

On a professional level I have become more disciplined in some areas, and while there are many ways I hope to continue to improve in this area, I am pleased with my progress. Personally, I believe I am less selfish than I was this time last year (a trend I hope continues far into the future).

This question provides you a new snapshot of yourself. Remember how much you enjoyed the family photos that came in your Christmas cards this month? Taking this personal picture will be far more valuable to you in the coming months.

Take that snapshot now - as yourself - How am I different now than I was at the start of the year?

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© 2008 Kevin Eikenberry, The Kevin Eikenberry Group
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