When we think about evolving, we often focus on the external markers of change—new achievements, skills, or relationships. But true evolution begins within. Heraclitus, the ancient Greek philosopher remarked, "No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it's not the same river and he's not the same man." As each day passes, the world changes and so do we, we both evolve. However, how much of that change is intentional and focused versus life on auto-pilot and going where the algorithms take us?
Here at NOBLE Self-Leadership, we believe that Evolve is about the continual, purposeful and incremental improvement process of our Being. If we aren’t clear eyed and discerning as we engage with life's moments, we allow them to shape us, subtly but surely transforming and redefining our identity and character. Alternately, if we are conscious and intentional then we will shape our identity and character in a purposeful and positive way. The way to determine if the algorithms are ruling your evolution or you are, is to ask yourself if you're reflecting on the experience.
Experience alone doesn’t create change—reflection does. Philosopher John Dewey once observed, “We don’t learn from experience; we learn from reflection on experience.” Taking time to look back enables us to distil valuable insights and recognise the shifts in our responses and priorities over time. This reflection shines a light on our growth path, allowing us to make intentional decisions that fuel our progress rather than simply reinforcing old habits. Evolving then, isn’t just about doing more; it’s about doing better with the knowledge we gain along the way. And, better knowledge comes from answering better questions.
When we look at NOBLE, what lessons have we learned from Non-Judgement, Observant Questioning, Body and Lead? What was the impact when I judged myself? How did my observant questioning reveal uncomfortable truths and what did I do of them? What impact did protecting my sleep and nourishing my physical body have on my wellbeing? Alternately what happened when I didn't protect my sleep or fuel my body the way I know I should? What impact came from leading myself with a great and noble cause? Of all the experiences I've had in the last day/week/month/year did I progress and improve or was it more of the same as yesterday? What got in the way? How do I ensure those things don’t get in the way again?
Evolution often requires shedding old beliefs, habits, or patterns, which can be uncomfortable and requires courage. It’s about stepping forward into the unknown. This is a path Abraham Maslow beautifully described: “In any given moment, we have two options: to step forward into growth or step back into safety.” Know though, that it’s shortsighted to choose safety, as we’re often stepping back into what’s known or comfortable in that moment, however, it may not be safe or serve us in the long term.
Years ago, I avoided having my photograph taken because I couldn’t bear to see my own reflection—it didn’t align with how I wanted to see myself. Today, I stand on stages around the world, comfortable in front of crowds and cameras alike. This shift wasn’t immediate or easy, but it’s a testament to how profoundly we can evolve when we commit to growth. By confronting and accepting who I was, I transformed into someone who not only accepts but embraces being in the public eye, a key evolution for anyone stepping into a purpose-driven life.
Therefore, growth means venturing beyond comfort, into the unknown and taking risks. Of course, when you venture into the unknown, you're almost certainly going to get surprised and probably knocked down so remember to take a resilient mindset with you. Each step, every success or setback, is part of a continuous learning process. A mantra I now use is that: ‘There are no failures—only feedback. There are no losses—only lessons.’ This perspective empowers us to view life’s trials as opportunities, constantly evolving, building resilience and moving towards our true potential.
Few works capture the significance of resilience in evolving as Rudyard Kipling does in his poem If—. In it, Kipling encourages us to face life’s challenges with grace, persistence, and courage. Lines such as “If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster, And treat those two impostors just the same” reflect the essence of resilience, remaining steadfast in the face of both success and failure, knowing that they are both fleeting. Kipling’s words remind us that evolving requires us to hold steady during hardships and triumphs alike, adapting and learning from every experience without being ruled by them.
Another profound piece of wisdom about growth and self-reflection comes from Peter Dale Wimbrow Sr.’s poem The Man in the Glass. It offers a challenge to evolve honestly and authentically, reminding us that the ultimate judge of our growth and integrity is the person staring back in the mirror. The poem reads, “For it isn’t your father or mother or wife / Whose judgment upon you must pass. / The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life / Is the one staring back from the glass. ”Wimbrow’s words challenge us to evolve by holding ourselves accountable, making choices that earn our own respect, regardless of external approval.
Evolution isn’t about relentless striving and self-criticism; it’s about compassionate self-reflection and incrementally building a better version of yourself. Yes, set goals and work smarter and harder to achieve them. However, when we’re kind to ourselves, acknowledge our setbacks, but then applaud our efforts and achievements, we grow positively. Learn to mark every win with suitably sized celebrations so that your brain is on the lookout for, and finds, more success. Gratitude also plays a vital role, helping us recognize the richness of each experience, even the challenging ones. By cultivating gratitude and celebrating every big and little win, we create an environment for growth that is both supportive and sustainable, helping us take our NOBLE Self-Leadership to new levels one reflective moment at a time.
🌟 Unlock Your Potential in 2025! 🌟
Are you feeling like this year wasn't much different to last year, or that you're at the whim of others? NOBLE Self-Leaders have identified their Great and Noble Cause and are unapologetically selfish to be selfless in working towards that cause.
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