January is a month all about change. Goals. Resolutions. Growth. Improvement. So, what if you’re a woman who finds the status quo comfortable?
Popular author Brooke Romney found growth can be uncomfortable, even painful… but, ultimately, it really is for our own good.
Let’s be clear: she was fine with it that way it was. In fact, she was pretty proud.
But when a fellow author offered to provide feedback on her latest book project, Brooke Romney quicky accepted. After all, she admired this woman. Considered her a genius in her field. And even though the manuscript was already formatted for the printer, a few polishing points could be helpful.
That woman tore her book apart.
Kindly. Gently. Lovingly, but with Brooke’s precious pages spread out all over a basement pool table, the red pen came out and her cheeks started to match the color of that pen.
“I was like my money is gone,” said Brooke, “My time is gone. It’s time to get this book out. I can’t do this anymore. That was my initial reaction.”
From that (painful) professional experience, came a powerful personal lesson: growth is always good.
“What came out of that was so much better than what had been before,” said Brooke, “and my book, instead of being good, it was great. It still wasn’t for everyone, and it certainly wasn’t perfect, but it was so much better than it was before.”
In an interview with Studio 5 host Brooke Walker, Romney shared four key points of growth, and how women can lean in:
Honest Feedback + Open Heart = Golden Growth Opportunity
Brooke emphasizes the significance of honest feedback, delivered by people who have your best interests at heart. The above publishing experience demonstrates the courage it takes to offer constructive criticism and the openness required to receive it. Honest feedback, when approached with an open heart, can lead to significant personal growth.
All Areas of Our Life Can Benefit from Feedback
Feedback extends beyond the professional realm, touching on the importance of seeking feedback in various aspects of life. Brooke suggests that the practice of self-reflection and seeking feedback can be applied to motherhood, relationships, and even personal goals.
If You Want Self-Improvement to Last, it Takes Effort
Brooke stressed that lasting self-improvement requires effort and a genuine desire for change. It’s not about conforming to societal expectations but choosing goals that truly matter to you. She shares her experience of switching her goal from making her bed daily to starting her mornings with prayer, emphasizing the importance of personal relevance in pursuing change.
Even Motivation Deserves a Day Off
Acknowledging that not every day feels like a motivated day, Brooke advocates for understanding when to take a break and when to push through the lack of motivation. She encourages the notion that most days require effort and motion, with the motivation often following the initial push.
Ultimately, the willingness to embrace discomfort, seek honest feedback, and prioritize personal relevance in self-improvement are key takeaways as we navigate the journey of personal growth in the new year.
Brooke Romney is a writer, published author and popular speaker who values simple and meaningful connections. She is the author of “I Like Me Anyway” and “52 Modern Manners for Today’s Teens. She is a wife, proud “boy mom” and new Grandma! Find more insights from Brooke on Instagram, @brookeromneywrites, or at brookeromney.com.
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