The Inner Force

Jay shares thoughts on the magical inner force that impels us all towards growth.

Growth is exciting. As humans, we are impelled by a force that is hard to describe, but undoubtedly compels us to move forward – to experience, to learn, to develop and grow. It’s something that we all feel at our very core and when acted on successfully, gives us great satisfaction. As individuals there is an irresistible urge to fulfill our full potential. In other words, we are all enticed by the quest for growth. The question is, however: Do we have the confidence and the will to pursue it? As a starting point, let me ask - how does this work in your own life. Has there ever been a moment in your life when you’ve felt self-doubt? Perhaps it was more recent than you would like to think. It may have sounded something like to “I am not very organized,” “Math is not my strong point,” or “I get overwhelmed very easily.” The challenge is that the words we repeat to ourselves eventually dominate the story we use to describe ourselves. Inevitably, they begin to affect our behavior and can have huge implications in our professional and personal lives. The encouraging news is, by adopting a growth mindset, we can alter the narrative. A growth mindset allows us to shift our thoughts. By instilling practice, proper habits, effort, and self-development, we can become better at almost anything. So, when it comes to navigating adversity, we can develop the tools needed to succeed and grow. What’s important is that we remain open minded, reminding ourselves that nothing is absolute. When we operate with a fixed mindset, it leads us to believe that our qualities, talents, and intelligence are unchangeable. This can result in a lack of effort or motivation to attempt difficult tasks, as the conscious decision has been made that change is not applicable. If you feel that you have adopted a fixed mindset, know that it is never too late to cultivate new habits to shift your mindset. By simply believing in ourselves, being mindful of our internal dialogue, welcoming feedback from others, embracing failure, and persevering, we begin an important process that develops the habits that allow us to grow. To change takes effort and consistency. The most important thing is to show up for yourself and remain consistent. If you fall off the growth track, pick yourself back up. It’s essential to just keep moving forward. And, when you do – you will be well on your way to succeeding in your own personal ‘quest for growth!’

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Positive Profile of the Week: Ken Burns

Zachery “Zach” Palmer seems to know everyone or at least those who know him feel that way. He seems to be everywhere supporting various community-based efforts and that’s just the way he wants it to be! This hasn’t gone unnoticed as last year he received the Union Leader’s “40 Under 40” award and at just 25 years old he was one of the youngest awardees. The award is presented to those individuals under the age of forty who have made a difference in their communities and professions. He sits on several boards that are further proof of where his interests and passions lie – NAMI NH (National Alliance on Mental Illness), NeighborWorks Southern NH and WayPoint’s Child and Family Services of NH. Additionally, he’s helping pilot and lead a community economic empowerment program that’s designed to listen to what Black and Brown-owned businesses in Greater Manchester need in order to thrive. This past June, Zach participated in the New Hampshire Sunshine Initiative Day which was held at the Millyard Museum in Manchester. He was on a panel with Matt Mayberry, Zack Mannheimer and Ben Frost and helped lead a lively discussion on housing needs and solutions in NH. We loved his observation – saying that the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund is the state’s best kept secret! So, true it is! In his role as a Community Business Lender at the NHCLF (New Hampshire Community Loan Fund), he works to close the wealth gap and solve disparities by taking a multi-faceted, evolving approach. For example, with affordable housing a big barrier for working families, seniors, and young families in NH, he works with ROCs (resident-owned communities) and gets to see and hear first-hand their struggles. He provides guidance, coaching and consultation to the 13 ROCs in NH which include more than 1,100 households. Additionally, he’s assisting five of those resident cooperatives to purchase their own communities. Because when they purchase the park, it allows them to set their rents, create and enforce rules, and determine how the income and expenses are to be handled. What this also helps to do is preserve and stabilize the affordable housing market. Even though the NHCLF focuses on everything from Affordable Housing to Childcare it’s the Community Driven Economic Empowerment program and the power of impact investing which allows them to do what they do. And as Zach will tell you, it’s also very important to note that the investment dollars stay in NH. Because of all this great work Zach and the NHCLF are doing, the Easter Bank Foundation in June named them as a 2022 Community Advocacy Award honoree for their pioneering efforts in providing loans, capital, training and technical assistance to businesses and people across New Hampshire to achieve economic stability. Well done, Zach - NH needs you! And we appreciate all you are doing!

Quotes of the Week

“Without continual growth and progress, such words as improvement, achievement, and success have no meaning.” Benjamin Franklin

Jay Lucas | www.JayLucas.us 

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