GROW: Spring Renewal & Personal Growth

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Issue #77 - March 25, 2025

Welcome to G.R.O.W. (Guidance Redefines Our Way)!

What's up, GROW family! Spring has officially sprung, and I can't help but think about what this season means for us. Last weekend, I was doing a little lawncare—something I've neglected since September—and it got me thinking about growth cycles.

Most of our lawns have been dormant all winter, looking dead to the untrained eye, but they were gathering strength underground. Sound familiar? Sometimes, we go through seasons where nothing seems to be happening on the surface, but we're preparing for our next breakthrough beneath it all.

This week's newsletter is all about recognizing that spring isn't just happening around us—it can happen within us, too. Let's discuss how we can harness this natural season of renewal to grow in meaningful ways.

Let's go!

Growth Spotlight: Season of Growth: Cultivating Your Personal Garden

I recommend a book perfect for this season of renewal: Mindset: The New Psychology of Success by Dr. Carol Dweck. Several people I know have recommended it, and its principles seem ideal for our spring growth theme.

Stanford psychology professor Dr. Dweck distinguishes between a "fixed mindset" and a "growth mindset." People with fixed mindsets believe their qualities are carved in stone, while those with growth mindsets understand that abilities can be developed through dedication and hard work.

This growth perspective reminds me of maintaining a nice lawn and garden. Think about it:

Seeds: What ideas have you been carrying that need planting? That business concept? That health goal? Spring is the prime time to put those seeds in the soil.

Soil: Your environment matters. Are you surrounding yourself with positive relationships and information or toxic interactions that deplete you?

Sunlight: What energizes you? Possibly early morning prayer and meditation. Those are my sunlight hours, which fuel everything else.

Water: Consistent habits, not occasional floods of effort, make the difference between thriving and withering.

Weeding: What needs to go? I've been "weeding" my schedule lately, removing commitments that don't align with my core values.

What I love about Dweck's work is how she frames challenges as opportunities rather than threats. Spring is the perfect time to reset our perspective—to see setbacks as temporary and efforts as pathways to mastery.

One practice that aligns with her philosophy is what I'm calling a "seasonal vision day"—a few hours dedicated to mapping out what you want to cultivate over the next three months. This is not a rigid plan but a flexible schedule that embraces challenges as growth opportunities.

I plan to block off a Saturday for my vision day. Will you join me?

Professional Growth Gateway: Self-Development Planning

Let's get practical about this spring renewal business. How do you translate inspiration into action? Here's my three-step approach:

1. Quarterly Planning Beats Annual Resolutions

Remember those New Year's resolutions? Yeah, me neither. Research shows that 80% are abandoned by February. Instead, try 90-day sprints focused on one key area of development.

I'm focusing this quarter on physical health. What's your focus area?

2. Stack New Habits On Existing Routines

Behavior science shows that "habit stacking" improves success rates by 70%. For example, after I pour my morning coffee (an existing habit), I'll read 10 pages of my current book (a new habit)."

3. Create Accountability Structures

Progress works on accountability. Whether it's a mentor, coach, or peer group, find someone who expects updates on your growth journey.

Success Spotlight: My 17.75K Journey

I've got a personal story to share this week. This past weekend, I completed the Marine Corps Marathon 17.75K race alongside my son Michael Jr. and my nephew Gerald Robinson—both former Marines. Yeah, that's right—your newsletter-writing, nonprofit-running, full-time working, late-50s mentor put 11.03 miles on these legs, making memories with family every step of the way and honoring their service at the same time!

Was it pretty? Not always. Was it fast? Let's say I wasn't breaking any course records. But here's what matters: I crossed that finish line.

Six months ago, when I first signed up, I questioned my sanity. Finding time to train seemed impossible between managing A Few Good MENtors, my day job, and everything else. My first "training run" was a humbling two miles, leaving me wondering if I'd made a terrible mistake.

But here's what I learned along the way—a lesson I want to share with all of you:

It's never too late to challenge yourself. At my age, society often suggests we should slow down and not take on new challenges. But that's exactly when we need to push ourselves the most.

Run your own race. During training, I kept comparing my pace to runners half my age. That comparison trap nearly derailed me until I realized this was MY journey. My only competition was the voice that said I couldn't do it.

Consistency beats intensity. I couldn't train as hard as the 25-year-olds, but I could show up consistently—even if that meant 4:30 AM runs before work or slow jogs after a long day.

The power of not quitting. At least a dozen moments during the race, my body screamed to stop. Around mile 9, my knees sent urgent memos to my brain requesting immediate retirement. But watching Michael Jr. and Gerald push forward with that same Marine Corps determination they've carried throughout their lives gave me the strength to keep going. There's something transformative about pushing through when everything in you wants to quit.

As we approached that finish line—sweaty, sore, but smiling—I felt an incredible surge of pride, not just in myself but in sharing this moment with my son and nephew. There's something powerful about facing a challenge as a family. And I thought about how many of life's most worthwhile accomplishments come from simply refusing to give up, especially when you've got people you love pushing alongside you.

So whether you're considering a career change in your 40s, learning a new skill in your 50s, or taking on a physical challenge like I did—remember that it's never too late to start, and you've got to run your race at your own pace.

What new challenge are you avoiding because you think it's "too late" or "not for you"? I'd love to hear about it—and maybe help you take that first step.

And yes, I'm already eyeing the next race. Because once you push past what you thought were your limits, you start wondering what else might be possible.

Michael's Hot Take: Stop Hitting Snooze on Your Life

Here's something I've noticed: we're all experts at hitting the snooze button—not just on our alarms but also on our dreams, our health, and our relationships.

"I'll start Monday." "After this project is done." "When the kids are older."

Meanwhile, life keeps happening, seasons keep changing, and those dreams keep getting deferred.

Spring doesn't procrastinate. Those cherry blossoms don't say, "Maybe I'll bloom next month instead." They show up right on time, every year.

What if we approached our growth with the same certainty? What if instead of "someday" we said "today"?

I challenge you: identify ONE thing you've been putting off and take ONE concrete step toward it this week. Share it with me—I want to hear about your spring awakening!

Upcoming Events

Echo of Freedom Tour

• Date: July 2025

• Duration: 4 hours

• The Echoes of Freedom Tour is a guided journey through Northern Virginia, uncovering the rich and often untold history of African American resilience, activism, and community-building. This immersive experience takes participants to key historical sites, including early freedmen settlements, civil rights landmarks, and educational institutions that shaped Black history in the region. The tour connects the past to the present through storytelling, reflection, and engagement, ensuring these vital narratives inspire future generations.

S.H.I.E.L.D.S. Program Launch

• Coming in April 2025

• Women's Leadership Panel: April 6, 2025

• Stay tuned for full schedule!

New Mentor Training Course (NMTC 25-02)

• Applications open March 15, 2025

• Training will be April 26, 2025

• Open to both new and experienced AFGM Mentors

Closing Thoughts

As we embrace this season of renewal, remember that growth isn't always comfortable—just ask any seedling pushing through soil. But the discomfort is temporary, and the results can be magnificent.

Whether you're planting new habits, weeding out limitations, or simply soaking in the sunshine of possibility, know that this GROW community is here to support your journey.

Until next Tuesday, be safe and be thankful.

Michael