Growth Dynamics Get Down

Good Monday Morning! This is Sarah Waple, partner at Growth Dynamics, bringing you a special holiday episode of Monday Morning Manager. This one might be a little different than what you’re used to reading or listening to in the past, but here we go.

If you would prefer to watch on YouTube, please follow this link.

Symptoms

Sarah and Charlie have been going, going, going—for what feels like years now. Introductions, referrals, new training locations, new clients, new topics, new technology, new team members. And last but not least, we’ve closed on a new office building and added some stellar tenants to share the space with us.

At times, it has felt like the finish line for success just keeps moving, and the slower weeks mysteriously disappear off the calendar. These challenges might sound like "just life," and to that, we say: yes, it is—and we are not complaining.

Diagnosis

What has happened at Growth Dynamics is what some might call "wonderful." In fact, that is exactly what Sarah and Charlie call it. The new faces, the growing number of podcast streams, and, most importantly, the trust our clients place in us by introducing Growth Dynamics to their fellow businesspeople, best friends, families, and nearest and dearest—it’s all something we are profoundly grateful for.

We don’t take it for granted and are hopeful that many of you have experienced similar success throughout 2024.

Prescription

Our prescription is simple: keep caring about, working with, and enjoying all those around you. While Charlie and Sarah continue to train, assist with assessments, and coach, it’s you—our network—who have helped this family-owned business grow into what it is today.

Whether you’re a current client (we don’t even know if we have “past” clients), a part-time believer, an occasional podcast listener, a Facebook stalker, or even someone who told us we weren’t the right fit—we are thankful for you and appreciate you. Without your trust, belief, and support, we couldn’t have kept going and growing in the ways we have over the last few years. Thank you.

Critical Thinking

The last few weeks of any year always ask us: What are we thankful for? What are we proud of? What comes next?

As you enjoy whatever holiday you may be celebrating—or have already celebrated—we hope you take a few moments to reflect on these questions:

• What are you proud of from 2024?
• What comes next in 2025?

How will you carry the good forward into the new year? How will you grow, make changes, and focus on what matters most? Leave the stress, frustrations, and anger behind in 2024—it’s no fun carrying unnecessary baggage forward.

Final Thoughts

Here are two quotes I want to leave you with:

1. “Blessed is this season, which engages the whole world in a conspiracy of love.” — Hamilton Wright Mabie
   For me, this is the magic of the season—people seem nicer, more patient, and more collaborative. My goal is to carry this feeling through the holidays and all of 2025, staying less frustrated when things aren’t perfect.

2. “The joy of brightening others' lives, bearing each other's burdens, easing each other's loads, and supplanting empty hearts and lives with generous gifts becomes for us the magic of the holidays.” — W.C. Jones

Take these thoughts with you. On Monday Morning Manager Online, there will be a link with more reflections. I encourage you to check it out, find some quotes that can anchor you through 2024, and build on the positives.

The Drill

Feel free to send in your goals—we’d love to see them—but please note we likely won’t be responding this week. Growth Dynamics is officially closed until Monday, January 6.

This doesn’t mean you won’t see emails from us, or that we’re ignoring texts or calls—it simply means we’re prioritizing work-life balance, family time, and preparing for 2025. We won’t be at our desks or in the office regularly for the next two weeks.

We hope you have the opportunity to do the same: slow down, reflect on 2024, and find your path forward for 2025.

And, as always, go out there and make this week the best one yet!