The mark of a mature commitment to development is the ability to move from the abstract – outside of myself – to the personal – within myself.
A well-articulated statement of development reads something like this: “Until I do X, I can not achieve Y.”
“Until I release myself from perfectionism, I will not write the book/finish the project/complete the policy statement.”
Development is not “write the book.” Development is “confront my perfectionism.”
“Until I get comfortable with creating accountability, I will not build a stronger team.”
Development is not “build a stronger team.” Development is “learn how to create accountability.”
“Until I share my vulnerability with my partner I will not build a relationship of mutual trust.”
Development is not “build a relationship of mutual trust.” Development is “learn to share my vulnerability.”
A mature statement of development is a full circle conversation. When the circle remains open, even a little bit, the commitment is still tied to external or abstract goals. Once the circle is closed, the conversation has shifted to a complete, or internal state.
A full circle commitment to development exists when we move from the outside in, when we recognize that nothing outside of us can change until something inside of us changes first.
