The Law of The Rubber Band states that “Growth Stops When You Lose the Tension Between Where You Are and Where You Could Be.”

Over the last few years, I have been working at developing my coaching/training/speaking business.  I have been doing all three of these at some level over the last thirty years but never at the level that I am currently stretching.

I have definitely stepped outside of my comfort zone on several occasions during this process.  This “stretching” has allowed me to reach new levels of awareness for myself and also to focus on the ability to add value to others.

John Maxwell in his book The 15 Invaluable Laws of Growth describes seven ways that this stretching enables us to grow:

1.  FEW PEOPLE WANT TO STRETCH

Recently in one of my Mastermind Groups, one of the participants told a story about a forty-six year old woman that works at Starbucks.  She had made the statement “At my age it is too late to change.”  She was not satisfied with her job but had resigned to the fact that it was all there was.  Sadly, most people don’t want to take the risk to stretch beyond their comfort zone.

2.  SETTLING FOR THE STATUS QUO ULTIMATELY LEADS TO DISSATISFACTION

Again referring back to the woman in no. 1, she had settles for simply “having a job.”  That’s the ultimate goal, a paycheck – Right?  Not really.  Most of us want more out of life yet settle for “good enough.”  At the end of the day, “good enough” is not going the provide the fulfillment we desire.

3.  STRETCHING ALWAYS STARTS FROM THE INSIDE OUT

Any stretching towards change or a goal has to come from within.  Looking at the world’s view of success will typically paint a picture of financial success.  We need to look inside and determine what success really looks like.

4.  STRETCHING ALWAYS REQUIRES CHANGE

Stretching will take us from where we are to where we want to be.  This will always require some type of change in what we are currently doing.  I love the quote “keep doing what you’re doing, and you’ll keep getting what you’re getting.”  Think about it … if you really want a change, you better be prepared to stretch.

5.  STRETCHING SETS YOU APART FROM OTHERS

Most people don’t want to stretch.  They don’t want to leave their comfort zone.  By being intentional about stretching, you are setting yourself apart from the majority.

6.  STRETCHING CAN BECOME A LIFESTYLE

Identifying your passion and purpose will give you clarity on what it is you want to do.  As you stretch towards these new goals, you will actually see a change in your lifestyle.  You will begin to align yourself with like-minded individuals and begin to create an environment conducive to this growth.

7.  STRETCHING GIVES YOU A SHOT AT SIGNIFICANCE

What kind of legacy will you currently leave?  When we stretch beyond where we currently are, we increase the probability of positively impacting those around us.  When we influence others in a positive way we begin to create and live the legacy we were meant to.

The bottom line is that if we don’t keep that tension between where we are and where we want to be, we will simply stay right where we are.

My question for you today is “How tight are you willing to stretch that rubber band?

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Next Up:  Law #11  The Law of Trade-Offs.

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Barry Smith   www.buildingwhatmatters.com   12/12/12       photo by author