We are celebrating the Great American Adventure 245 years strong this Independence Day. The sacrifice of so many offers us the precious gift of Freedom to Grow. We can choose to grow in any aspects of our lives. But a choice is required, as freedom to grow is an invitation and not a guarantee, and requires commitment.

I engaged in a conversation this week with a person who immigrated to the United States of America six years ago as a political refugee. He marvels at life here, especially the ability to freely express thoughts and opinions without risk of arrest and persecution. His enthusiasm was inspiring.

As I see it, there are two dimensions to True Growth:

• Personal Growth comes in the form of study and practice, by enriching the mind through available and abundant resources in virtually any realm of human knowledge. It also occurs through our networks of family, friends and is infused through the company you keep; it has a spiritual dimension to it. Learning to be better people helps us become better parents and mentors for those in our network.

• Professional Growth occurs in many forms, the most transformational of which is through “Co-Discovery” with peers and team members. When we examine opportunities and challenges from multiple perspectives, we see better approaches and we grow together. We can generally choose where and with whom we work, particularly over the long term, allowing us to become better versions of ourselves. We can seek out organizations that will invest in our ability to grow and, in turn, which enable us to contribute to the growth of others. Choice is the operative word here.

Just as culture requires cultivation, growth requires the optimum environment and nutrition to flourish.

Freedom to Grow is the prerequisite that enables us to search out the right people and places for vigorous growth to occur.

Tempus Maximize!