LIVE the Journey, OWN your Growth
Karen at Emerald Bay, California
Shine Forward: The Power of a Growth Journal
Let’s talk about growth. Not just in the “rah-rah, look how far I’ve come” kind of way, but in a real, tangible, trackable way. We all know the power of a gratitude journal, but what if we shifted that same practice toward recognizing our growth?
I challenge you to start a Growth Journal—a space where you reflect on where you were, where you are now, and what’s changed along the way. This is more than just acknowledging the wins; it’s about examining the full picture—what worked, what didn’t, where you were consistent, and where you may have slipped off track. Growth isn’t always linear, and sometimes we don’t give ourselves enough credit for the small but meaningful steps we’ve taken forward.
How to Start Your Growth Journal
First, let’s get clear on what growth means. Open up a search engine and look up the definition of “growth.” Read through the various meanings and choose a few words that resonate most with you. What does growth mean in your life? Circle those words. Let them guide you as you reflect on your journey.
Now, break your growth tracking into key areas:
Personal Growth – Your mindset, emotions, habits, and self-awareness.
Professional Growth – Your career, skill development, and leadership abilities.
Relational Growth – Your relationships with family, friends, colleagues, and your ability to connect and communicate.
Physical and Health Growth – Not about growing your body but how you're taking care of it. Are you making progress toward your wellness goals?
Financial Growth – Are you building security, reducing debt, or increasing stability?
Each time you check in—whether daily, weekly, or monthly—look at where you were then and where you are now in these areas. What patterns do you see? What’s improving? Where are you stuck? This exercise isn’t about judgment; it’s about awareness and intentionality.
Why Consistency Matters
A lot of people only reflect on their growth at the end of the year. That’s great, but if you wait 12 months to take stock of where you are, you’re missing the opportunity to see and celebrate progress along the way. We tend to set big, audacious goals—losing weight, paying off debt, building a business—but if we only focus on the end result, we miss the daily victories.
Think about it:
Losing 20 pounds might take 6-12 months.
Getting out of debt could take two years.
Starting a business can take a year, or two or more!
If you’re only looking at the finish line, every single day that you haven’t achieved the goal will feel like a loss. But if you fall in love with the process, you’ll realize that you’re winning every day you stay committed.
My Own Growth Journey
A year ago, I took the leap into full-time speaking, consulting, and coaching. Before that, it was a side gig—a passion project. But stepping fully into entrepreneurship? That was a whole different challenge. (Truth be told, I call it EntrepreneurSH$T)!
This past year has been hard. There were moments when I questioned everything—if I was on the right path, if I was doing the right thing, if I was moving fast enough toward “success.” But then, one day, I sat down and listed everything I had accomplished.
And it hit me: I have grown. A SH$T ton!! In ways I never anticipated.
Two of my biggest areas of growth? Humility and vulnerability.
I’ve always been financially independent. As a former single mom and the primary breadwinner for much of my life, money wasn’t just security, it became part of my self worth. When I launched my business, I didn’t have a safety net. And for the first time, I had to lean on someone else for financial support. That support came from my husband, just a few months into our marriage.
For me, that was hard. Accepting help—even from someone I love—felt like failure and came with a lot of stinking harsh thinking. But it wasn’t a failure, it was an opportunity for growth, trust, and a deeper partnership.
Years ago, when my husband gifted me money after achieving a financial goal, I handed the check right back and said, “No, thank you.” My pride wouldn’t let me accept it. But now? He’s invested in us, in our future, and I’ve learned to accept that support with gratitude instead of guilt. That’s my definition of growth!
Finding and Fixing Growth Gaps
Once we identify where our growth is inconsistent—or even stuck—we can start to dig deeper. What’s holding us back? What friction points derail us? And how can we shift our habits, behaviors, and mindset to break through those barriers?
Growth isn’t about making one big leap. It’s about taking small, consistent steps. And when you track those steps in your Growth Journal, you’ll start to see just how far you’ve come.
So, let’s do this together. Let’s chart our growth—not in inches, but in consistency, progress, and learning to enjoy the process as much as the goal.
Because here’s the truth:
If you fall in love with the goal, every day you don’t achieve it will feel like failure. But if you learn to love the process, you’ll succeed every single day.
Consistency isn’t an event—it’s a way of life. Let’s grow, and SHINE FORWARD together.
Download Your Growth Journal Today
The OWN Your Growth Journal is more than just a notebook—it’s a tool for transformation. This journal is designed to help you track your progress, recognize patterns in your growth, and celebrate every step forward. Whether you’re focusing on personal development, professional milestones, or financial stability, the journal provides a structured way to reflect on where you’ve been and where you’re headed. By consistently engaging in this practice, you’ll build self-awareness, resilience, and confidence in your journey.
Inside, you’ll find guided reflection prompts, weekly check-ins, and space to track both your wins and your challenges. Growth isn’t always linear, and it’s easy to overlook the small victories that pave the way for big breakthroughs. That’s why this journal is here—to help you see the progress you’re making, even when it doesn’t feel obvious. Don’t wait until the end of the year to recognize how far you’ve come. Start today. Download your OWN Your Growth Journal and take ownership of your journey, one reflection at a time.