Transformation literally means going beyond your form. - Wayne Dyer

History has proven that those who achieve the most are those who are able to reach beyond themselves.  There is a risk and fear in reaching, but the truth of the matter is extraordinary things happen when people do a little extra by reaching beyond self.

I had an opportunity to sit down and interview three amazing leaders this week.  Each leader shared a wealth of wisdom, in which you will hear more from these leaders in the future.  I realized that their leadership all started with someone else setting an example for them.  Their knowledge and insight as a leader came from being mentored and now they are in the seat of being the mentor.

Are you being mentored?  How are you reaching beyond yourself?

There is no argument that we are all products of what we set before us.  You are probably familiar with the sowing principle.  The sowing principle just explains that you will reap what you sow.  It is a basic Biblical foundational principle, but it also works in our personal and professional lives.  Another way to explain this sowing principle is you cannot get if you are not willing to give.

What is it you need to give?  It depends on what you are searching for in your life.

Each of the leaders I interviewed sacrificed something to reach their current level of significance and success.  Here are 3 ways for you to reach beyond yourself to live a life of significance and success.

1.    Read.  How can you get to where you are going if you don’t know how to get there?  Reading is an excellent way to boost your knowledge and avoid mistakes that others have already made.  You have to be a regular reader in the specific area you are pursuing to be significant and successful.

Every leader I interview mentions reading being a great way for development of any leader.  How much do you read?  What are you reading?  If you want to be a better business owner, there is no reason for you to read “The Daily Funnies” in the newspaper.  There is nothing wrong with reading the comics to get a good laugh, but there it nothing funny about not growing in the area you want to be significant and successful in because lack of reading the right content.

2.    Be Mentored.  It can be hard to ask for help when you think you know.  One way to discover whether you know or not is to ask yourself the question, “Am I where I want to be in personal or professional life”?  If the answer is no, you need mentoring.

You have to find someone that can help you and ask the right questions.  Who is your mentor?  Who do you talk to when you need direction?  It doesn’t make you lesser of a leader to ask questions.  Asking questions makes you a smarter leader.  You will discover the answers that promote you quicker if you ask someone who has already made the mistakes you are getting ready to make.

3.    Live.  There are some things you just have to learn from experience.  No one is exempt from adversity and failure.  Living while having a keen awareness of those things happening around you will help with your development as a leader.  This can only happen if you are willing to reach beyond yourself, pay close attention to the circumstances you are experiencing, and take advantage of every opportunity to grow as a leader.

Whether you already living a life of significance and success or not, you will need to continue to grow as a leader.  This is why I love to say and I believe that I am a lifelong learner.

How about you?  Are you a lifelong learner?  If so, what are you reading?  Who are you learning from?  Please leave a comment below, send me a tweet on Twitter, or leave a comment on Facebook.

Bryant