In the book No Limits, John C. Maxwell addresses the importance of setting yourself up for growth. In one of the chapters, he describes what an environment that promotes growth looks like.

1. Others are ahead of you in terms of growth.
   It is important that you see challenges, that others can spur you on.
2. You are regularly challenged.
   One of the big obstacles to growth is that we settle down and just go with the flow.
3. Your focus is forward.
   Tony Robbins says, “Where there is focus, energy flows.”
4. The atmosphere is affirming.
   Are you in an atmosphere where you are affirmed for who you are? Do you create such an environment yourself?
5. You are outside your comfort zone.
   It is important to be in your gifts but challenge yourself to go outside your comfort zone.
6. You wake up excited.
   You know you’re going somewhere and that you can help people.
7. Mistakes are not your enemy.
   When you have the attitude to learn from your mistakes, you grow.
8. Others grow.
   A place where plants are natural creates more plants.
9. People want change.
   Change is not an obstacle but can create completely new dimensions in what is done.
10. Growth is expected and planned.
    Who makes me the best I can be in my organization? Who can I help become better?

Putting yourself in a context of growth and being part of creating this context is about choice. A choice to take control of what happens in your life.

John C Maxwell No Limits pp 281-292