Stuck in Neutral?

Ever have that feeling of being stuck? That you’re on a merry-go-round experiencing the same things and not sure how to drive your growth forward? It’s a tricky place to be. Understanding the ten human drives, as discussed by Brendon Burchard, can help in identifying your opportunities to get out of the rut. I started this discussion with the five Foundational Drives. In this post I will talk about the five Forward Drives.

The five Forward drives have the ability to push you into a more fulfilling and engaging life. These drives will challenge you as they require personal growth. And as you grow, you will likely feel discomfort as you step out of your comfort zone. But as with any challenge, it’s what’s on the other side that’s important!

Five Forward Drives

#6 Change

Change is all about the desire for forward progress. I, personally, am always looking for the next exciting thing, but change can also be scary. Instead of thinking about change as the great unknown, think about it as an opportunity to learn and discover more about yourself. To start, create a vision for what you want. When you create a picture in your mind, it becomes more known. And since your brain can’t tell the difference between what’s real and what’s a vision, it will start to act as if it’s already real. This will result in steps in that new direction feeling less anxious and more exciting, as you drive your growth forward. This is where I Am statements can be helpful.

#7 Challenge

I love a good challenge, especially when I’m working on it with someone else. And I’m not alone. Not only is a challenge good for your growth, but it can be exhilarating and can keep you focused. That’s why those 14-day and 30-day challenges are so successful. And if there is an external impact component to it, even better! If you’re in a negotiation or trying to build a bridge with someone, say your teenager, try identifying a challenge you can work on together. Think about something that would make you both happy and impact those around you. Here are some examples:

• For every mile each of you walks, you’ll donate $1 to the humane society. Set a goal.
• Say a new compliment to each other every day for a month.
• Volunteer at a homeless shelter once a week. Recruit a new friend every month to join you.
• Pick a new hobby and try it for 30 days. If it’s one you can do together, even better!

When you work on something together, you tend to respect and love each other more. And drive your growth forward, together.

#8 Creativity

The Creativity drive is all about expressing who you are. About expressing your uniqueness in a creative way. Even if you don’t think you’re creative, you are the only you and that’s a good start! Lean into your unique qualities and skills, and share those with the world. Even if you’re doing something ordinary, how can you make it extraordinary by putting your mark on it? Being you is the simplest and most authentic form of happiness. Remember this when your child seems a little different. Celebrate it.

#9 Contribution

Don’t just think about money here. Contribution can be about giving to something or giving of yourself. Consider how you can show up as your most authentic you. Are you holding back? How you share your talents and give your effort to the world is as important as just being there. It feels different and makes a bigger impact. When looking back at the previous drives, you can think of this as not only as taking on challenge (#7), but doing it in your unique way (#8) and bringing every part of you to it.

#10 Consciousness

Consciousness speaks to being aware of your surroundings and being present in them. It’s the idea that you are aware of what’s happening in front of you and how you feel and what you think about it all. And then directing your thoughts and emotions intentionally. The average person has over 50,000 thoughts per day and those are fueled by a multitude of distractions. Consciousness, on the other hand, is being connected to your highest self, God and/or the universe and elevating above the confusion so that you can serve more and be more. Practicing meditation is a great tool to help quiet the noise and focus on the here and now, and drive yourself forward.

Drive Growth

Remember, life is a journey, not a destination. We are meant to continually grow. The ten human drives aren’t something to check off your list, but to reflect on and to identify where you can make some adjustments to live a more purposeful and fulfilling life. Your kids are always watching. Modeling these concepts is a great way to show them how they can live their best life. And to drive your growth forward as a person, and as a mom. Interested in learning more about yourself, take my free quiz to discover your leading emotion.