Your Growing Edge

You've probably heard the term "leading edge" used to refer to technology or products that are in front of the curve, that are really advanced. You may have even heard the term "bleeding edge" in this context. I want to talk to you about your personal "leading edge," your growing edge.

Your growing edge is that area of your life where there's still a lot of room for improvement but you're pushing ahead and stretching the margins of that area every day. For some this is productivity in business, for others it's personal balance, for still others it's family time and quality of interaction.

How do you find your growing edge and what do you do about it once you've identified it?

First, finding your growing edge. This can be easier than you might expect. It's a simple matter of looking at your life over the last few months or year and seeing what challenges you keep bumping up against. For me, it's eating right. I don't eat breakfast or lunch and I eat too much junk. Over the last year I've struggled with this repeatedly, each time managing to eat "well" for a little longer, but then falling back into my old habits. The point is that I am growing in this area. You may have an area like this, too. You're challenged by it, you make some changes, you retreat from these changes, and you make the changes again.

So what do you do with this "growing edge"? Exactly what you've been doing, only more so. If you've been building a new habit and then letting it go in times of stress, which is what most people do, then you need to develop new stress habits. It's easy to do the right thing during calm, peaceful times in your life, as if any of us really have those. It's harder when the real stress starts. So what you need to do is develop a list of things you can do during a stressful time to keep your new habit going. For me, a real problem when I'm stressed is caffeine. I have a problem staying off of it, and when I'm stressed I guzzle it. My ways to avoid caffeine include not having it in the house, keeping plenty of decaf soda cold, and drinking more milk. I love milk, so this is not a hardship. When I get a caffeine craving I have a glass of milk.

The bottom line on this is that action leads to solutions. Make a list of actions you can take to keep your growing edge growing, even when you don't feel like it, and keep taking those actions. Feel free to drop me a line and let me know how you're doing.

About The Author

Angie Dixon helps small business owners get their acts together. She is a personal development coach specializing in helping people integrate their home and work lives so they feel less stretched and more balanced. Get her FREE EBOOK on balance at http://www.discoveringtruenorth.com. For questions or to discover how coaching can change your life, contact Angie at mailto:angie@discoveringtruenorth.com.

You are free to use this article in ezines, web sites and print publications. If you do use it, please send a quick email to mailto:angie@discoveringtruenorth.com. Thank you.

In The News:


pen paper and inkwell


cat break through


How to Use the Power of Words to Your Benefit

Someone I know maintains that "motivational words are great coming... Read More

The True Cost Of A Lack of Motivation

And what a lack of motivation means..As you read this... Read More

Why Do 9 Out of 10 People Never Live Their Dreams?

When we were kids we all had dreams. There were... Read More

Get Things Done: Take 21!

Ever begin doing something that you do for a few... Read More

Motivation: If Today Were the Last of All Days

"If today were the last of all days........" - Marilyn... Read More

That One Thing That Guarantees Your Unlimited Motivation And Success

What can you do when you do not feel like... Read More

A Tribute to Edna

To the world you might be one person, but to... Read More

Motivation: 3 Suggestions for Living a Life of Purpose, On Purpose

"There's so many roads that seem, To lead down to... Read More

I Should Be Doing... But...?

What a perfect fall Saturday morning, clear sunny blue sky,... Read More

My Grandmother Never Had a Degree

There were four generations sitting at the kitchen table, smacking... Read More

How To Get Through A Bad Day

No matter how hard you try to make them otherwise,... Read More

Hey Me, Get Out Of My Way

Hey Me! Get Out... Read More

6 Simple Steps To Accelerating your Learning

What is Accelerated learning?Simply put, accelerated learning is the ability... Read More

The Biggest Mistake Youve Made About Manifesting

What is the biggest mistake you have made about manifesting... Read More

Facing Our Fears

'You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in... Read More

Motivation - How to Design a Life

"Have you ever felt like you've become the worst possible... Read More

Walk In The Light

It was a mild October night, weeks after the horrific... Read More

At A Dead End? Look Deeply Into My Eyes!

The president of a large North Eastern company, doing business... Read More

Life Doesnt Have A Sell By Date

Or does it?Best on or before?.. Nearly everything we touch... Read More

Make Motivation Stick

Motivation is the elusive elixir. Not only does it help... Read More

Recommendations for the Best Personal Growth Books

I can't stress this enough: You've got to motivate yourself... Read More

The Missing Piece

Have you ever tried putting a puzzle together, only to... Read More

Your Most Important Opportunity says a top UK Personal Development Coach

For some people this article will turn out to be... Read More

Dont Just Hope - Decide!

As the story goes, a single college-age guy went to... Read More

Self Confidence : The Importance of Will-Power

The importance of will-power is recognized by most men, yet... Read More

Around The World On $80

Jules Vernes adventure story, Around the World in 80 Days,... Read More

Words that Inspire: PASSION

What is your PASSION?Dictionary says: strong liking for or... Read More

8 Super Ways To Avoid Procrastination

We are all guilty of delaying what needs to be... Read More

Seven Habits Of Ineffective People

For maximum effectiveness in life, love or business, it helps... Read More

Remember, Worse Things Can Happen At Sea, So..... Dont Ever Quit!

Throughout the many pages of scores of motivational books, with... Read More

Stop Holding Yourself Back

Try this exercise. Take a sheet of paper and list... Read More

What is Success?

Everyone wants success. People talk about setting goals and positive... Read More

Perseverance As A Virtue

"Through perseverance many people win success out of what seemed... Read More