When Laila Hajji Down was in high school in Oklahoma, she kept her goals front and center, taped to her bathroom mirror. Down, who went on to qualify for two national speaking events and serve as national FFA vice president in 2008-09, says seeing her goals daily kept her accountable. However, looking back, she says the real goal is in the process — the growth — not in the winning.
“In many cases, I grew more from losing than winning,” says Down, who today serves as a leadership development consultant for companies and nonprofits, including FFA, one of her favorites, she says.
While a win is just for a season, personal growth will benefit you for a lifetime.
To help you grow this year, Down shares five helpful habits.
1. Choose your circle wisely.
Surround yourself with people who embody what you hope to become. Take a kind but honest look at your five closest friends. Are they positive relationships? If not, seek out friendships that reflect your values. Also, find someone new to learn from each semester. This could be a local business owner, a farmer or rancher, or a teacher you admire. Ask to spend time with them. Interview them to learn more about what they do and why.
2. Invest in knowledge.
Grow your knowledge about the people you look up to and the ideas that are important to you. Seek different perspectives on topics, especially in agriculture. Read something new for at least 10 minutes every day. Make a goal to read a book about someone you look up to by the end of December or listen to podcasts about them.
3. Step out of your comfort zone.
Down’s uncle used to tell her, “Push yourself outside of your comfort zone. When you get a new comfort zone, step out of that one. Keep pushing yourself.” Pushing yourself outside your normal routine or environment allows you think and see the world differently. As a result, your perspective and instincts will grow. You’ll also become more resilient, or better able to adapt in difficult situations.
4. Set and keep clear boundaries.
Keep your “yes” a “yes” and your “no” a “no.” Be courageous and firm in whichever answer you give, not acting out of fear and resistance nor taking on more than you can manage. Also, articulate and practice your boundaries — which lines are you not willing to cross to achieve your goals? Ambition isn’t a bad thing, but selfish ambition is dangerous. A leader does not “win at all costs.”
5. See. Believe. Achieve.
Down continues to live by this concept she learned as a freshman at the Made for Excellence Conference (now called the FFA Member Leadership Series). Identify your goals and put them somewhere you’ll see them every day. For Down, that was on her bathroom mirror, but it could be anywhere. Believe in yourself and your ability to achieve those goals. And remember, whether you win or lose, every opportunity you take is an opportunity to grow.
