Embracing Summer Dormancy: Progress Over Perfection for Personal Growth

Personal growth isn’t about checking every box or chasing perfection. It’s about steady progress, just like nature. Think about how nature works: the seasons change, creatures adapt, and some of the most beautiful landscapes take years to form.

Midsummer’s here in the Northern Hemisphere. It's time to kick back, soak up the sun, and master the art of doing nothing - in style - for energy restoration.

Growth happens step by step. It’s about moving forward, even if it’s slow, and appreciating the little wins along the way.

Resting? Yes, that’s part of it, too.

Setbacks? Yes, that's a natural part of life.

Nurturing? YES!

Rather than applying unreasonable pressure, measuring yourself against unreachable standards, or dwelling on life's unfairness, take a moment to appreciate where you are and celebrate how far you've come.

When you focus on progress over setting unreasonable standards and perfection, you start to embrace self-acceptance and a mindset of learning, appreciating time and investment in your overall well-being. Celebrating your achievements, no matter how small, builds self-trust beyond confidence. Celebrating small wins and recognizing your ability to overcome setbacks can keep you inspired and focused. It’s a powerful way to shift your perspective, highlighting what’s going well and what you’re capable of achieving, rather than dwelling on what’s missing.

How to Embrace Your Personal Growth

1. Reflect "Radical" Honestly: Take time each week to review what you did well and what you learned. Deep and honest self-reflection helps you spot patterns in your growth and keeps criticism at bay.
2. Build Self-Trust: Start with small, daily commitments to yourself. Whether it’s immersing yourself in something inspiring, steering clear of the toxic news cycle, taking a refreshing walk, or focusing on a meaningful task. Meeting these mini-goals proves to yourself that you’re capable and dependable.
3. Learn From Setbacks: Challenges aren’t failures; they’re lessons. When something doesn’t go as planned, ask, “What did this teach me?” Turn every obstacle into an opportunity to build your resilience. Reframing is a great tactic.
4. Avoid Disappointment: "Expectation is the root of all disappointment". There is a common link between setting high expectations and experiencing letdown when those expectations are not met. Build resilience to disappointment by practising acceptance and tolerance instead of expecting everything to go a certain way. This simple shift can help you feel less let down when things don’t turn out as planned.
5. Avoid Comparisons: Remember, no one shares your exact journey. If you catch yourself comparing, redirect your focus by intentionally reminding yourself of something you’re proud of each day. Write it down, whether it’s in a journal, on a whiteboard, or in a digital notebook where you can scroll through your own little "social media" of self-affirmations.
6. Celebrate Small Wins: Milestones aren’t always BIG. Finishing a book, sticking to a routine, or setting a healthy boundary are victories worth celebrating. Reward yourself and share your wins—each small step builds the momentum you need for lasting transformation.

Changing your mindset doesn’t happen overnight, but it’s doable with a little intention and practise. Next time you find yourself wishing you were further ahead, take a moment to appreciate how far you’ve already come. Think about it like this: even nature takes breaks. In summer, the grass isn’t dying, it’s just resting. Growth isn’t a race; it’s a journey.

Remember: Think of yourself as your favourite plant in the garden, unique, resilient, and full of potential. Growth takes time, and that’s okay! It’s not about being perfect; it’s about making progress. Celebrate every tiny victory - every new bud, leaf, and bloom - because each step forward matters. Nurture yourself like you would nurture a garden, trust the process, keep reaching toward the sun, and remember: you’re already blossoming into the best version of yourself. Keep going, you’ve got this! 🌱✨

Call to Action

Now is the time for some summer dreaming and enjoying some downtime to reflect about your next chapter and perhaps a transformation.

Comment below or share this post to spread the inspiration! What’s your next move? How will you transform this chapter into your most meaningful one yet? The stage is yours.

Next Steps 

You don't need to tackle transformation in your Executive Encore alone. Learn about a different and more effective way to take charge of your Executive Encore experience. Learn about consulting and coaching for women-owned businesses to accelerate sustainable growth. Contact me on my website's Contact Page or schedule an Executive Encore: 30-Minute Complimentary Call.

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