It’s tempting to think that some people are just ‘born with it.’ But I’ve spent years following leaders like John Maxwell—and living a few leadership misadventures myself—to realize this: being deliberate in your growth blows natural talent out of the water. I remember the first time I tried to ‘wing’ a presentation because I thought I had some knack for it. Disaster. Turns out, what Maxwell teaches is right: the humble daily decisions and non-flashy habits are actually what move the needle, not just raw ability. Let's pull back the curtain on this myth and see how small, steady steps stack up over time in ways talent alone never could.
Stop Winging It: The Unsexy Truth Behind Sustainable Success
When it comes to intentional personal growth, John Maxwell’s journey is a masterclass in discipline over natural talent. He openly admits that, as a young communicator, he could have easily “winged it.” With a bit of natural ability and a few stories, he could meet the low expectations of his first audience. But Maxwell faced a crucial choice: rely on talent or commit to a personal growth plan built on preparation and hard work.
Maxwell’s story is a reminder that even natural communicators can struggle if they coast on their gifts. He says,
“Everything worthwhile is uphill. Period.”That means growth doesn’t just happen. It requires intentionality—showing up, preparing, and putting in the effort every single day, even when it’s tempting to take shortcuts.
For over 50 years, Maxwell has practiced five daily habits: reading, thinking, filing, asking, and writing. He’s written 92 books not because he’s the most gifted, but because he’s the most consistent. He prepares every lesson, writing out his thoughts word for word—not to memorize, but to develop accuracy and clarity. This discipline is the backbone of John Maxwell leadership.
- Natural talent fades without preparation. Even Maxwell admits he “wasn’t that good” at first.
- Consistent hard work creates lasting skills. Maxwell’s 92 books and global influence are the result of decades of daily effort.
- Imperfect effort over time beats short-term genius. Sustainable success is built on showing up, not just on flashes of brilliance.
Maxwell’s experience proves that growth doesn’t just happen. Intentional thinking and action turn good intentions into real results. The unsexy truth? Sustainable success is about paying the price, not just hitting a home run once or twice. If you want to grow, stop winging it—start working for it.
Consistent Habits that Compound: Maxwell’s Five Unbreakable Rules
When it comes to intentional personal growth, John Maxwell’s secret isn’t natural talent or bursts of inspiration—it’s about doing the same five “boring” essentials every single day. Maxwell calls these his “everyday essentials,” and they’re so simple anyone can do them. The difference is, he does them every day, not just when he feels motivated or has extra time.
- Read
- Think
- File
- Ask questions
- Write
That’s it. No complex systems, no expensive tools. Just five intentional actions, done daily—on birthdays, holidays, vacations, and even sick days. Maxwell is clear: “What part of every day don’t we understand?” He doesn’t spend all day on these habits; sometimes it’s just 30 minutes. The key is showing up, no matter what. This is how intentional growth compounds, turning good intentions into actions.
People often ask Maxwell how he managed to write 92 books. His answer is simple: “One word at a time.” He explains, “I’ve never been able to write a sentence at a time… I just write every day.” This relentless consistency is what sets him apart—not genius, but the discipline to do small things repeatedly.
Consistency compounds. — John Maxwell
These everyday essentials are universally applicable. You don’t need to be extraordinary; you just need to be consistent. The benefits of these small, daily actions collect interest—sometimes literally—over time. It’s not the occasional, intense effort that leads to lasting success, but the quiet, steady habits that build on each other day after day. Growth doesn’t just happen; it’s the result of intentional, consistent effort. That’s the real secret behind decades of impact and productivity.
Get Over Yourself: Shifting Focus from Self to Adding Value
One of the biggest stumbling blocks to effective communication and leadership is making it about yourself, not your audience. John Maxwell is clear on this point: if you want to grow, lead, and connect, you must get over yourself. He often says, “You ought to laugh at yourself more because everyone else is.” This self-awareness is a key leadership success factor, especially for those who don’t see themselves as natural communicators.
Maxwell’s advice is simple but powerful: stop worrying about how you come across, and start focusing on how you can add value to people. If you walk into a room thinking, “I hope they like me,” your attention is on yourself. But when you shift your intention to, “How can I help them?” you unlock genuine connection. This is the heart of intentional personal growth—recognizing that growth doesn’t just happen by relying on natural talent. It happens when you choose to serve others.
Maxwell shares,
“All great communication doesn’t start on the stage. It starts in the seat.”In other words, real influence begins when you see things from the audience’s perspective. Great communicators don’t just impress people—they empower them. They make others feel understood and valued, not just wowed by their skills.
- Self-focus limits your impact. When you’re worried about your performance, you miss the chance to connect.
- Adding value is a choice. You don’t have to be naturally outgoing or charismatic. Intentional personal growth means deciding to serve, not impress.
- Perspective and intention matter. When you focus on others, your influence grows—even if you’re not a “natural.”
If you think, “I’m not a natural,” remember: most great leaders and communicators started there. Maxwell insists that leadership success factors are built, not born. By shifting your focus from self to service, you move from self-consciousness to genuine connection—and that’s where real growth begins.
Design Your Days: Intentional Living in Practice
Intentional living meaning goes far beyond having a vague sense of purpose. It’s about crafting daily systems and routines that put your personal growth plan into action. As John Maxwell teaches, great lives aren’t accidental—they’re the result of deliberate, daily choices. In his foundational intentional living books, Today Matters (now retitled Make Today Count) and Intentional Living, Maxwell lays out blueprints for building a life that truly matters.
One of Maxwell’s most powerful principles is simple but profound:
“Every day you’re either preparing or repairing.” — John MaxwellIf you live with intention, you spend your days preparing—investing in habits and disciplines that move you forward. If you drift, you end up repairing—fixing mistakes or missed opportunities from yesterday. This is the heart of intentional personal growth: making each day count on purpose, not by accident.
Maxwell’s daily system is built around 12 disciplines, outlined in Today Matters. These aren’t complicated; they’re practical habits like reading, reflecting, setting priorities, and asking yourself big questions. The goal is to make growth a daily, visible part of your life. For Maxwell, routines like reading, writing, and thinking aren’t just tasks—they’re anchors that keep him growing, no matter what life throws at him.
- Intentional living isn’t just an idea—it’s a set of daily choices.
- Books like Today Matters and Intentional Living offer step-by-step plans for your personal growth plan.
- Growth doesn’t happen in lightning strikes; it’s found in the tiny, often invisible decisions you make every day.
If you want to live intentionally, start by designing your days. Prioritize what matters, create routines that support your goals, and remember: your best life is built one purposeful day at a time.
Wild Card Section: The Myth of Arrival and a Tangent on Birthday Habits
One of the most powerful lessons I’ve learned from John Maxwell is that growth doesn’t just happen. There’s a common myth that one day you’ll “arrive”—reach a point where you’ve mastered your craft and can finally relax. But as Maxwell says, “You’re doing good, kid, but you’re not great yet.” The best leaders never stop learning. They always feel there’s more to discover, more to improve, and more to give.
Maxwell’s approach to intentional personal growth is refreshingly simple, yet deeply challenging. He’s famous for his “five things” system: every day, he reads, thinks, files, asks questions, and writes. And when he says every day, he means it. People often ask, “What about your birthday? What about Christmas? What if you’re sick?” His answer is always the same:
“What part of every day don’t we understand?” — John Maxwell
Even on holidays, vacations, and sick days, Maxwell sticks to his five habits. He jokes about this, but the point is serious: consistency compounds. It’s not the grand gestures, but the daily grind that leads to real progress. If Maxwell skipped a day, would the next book even happen? Probably not. Each day’s effort builds on the last, and the willingness to begin again each morning keeps growth and creativity alive.
- Arrival is an illusion: True leaders always feel there’s more to learn.
- Everyday habits matter: Maxwell’s five things happen on birthdays, holidays, and even sick days.
- Consistency is the separator: The difference between good and great is showing up, even when you’d rather not.
We tend to overestimate what we can do tomorrow and underestimate what we can do today. Maxwell’s life is proof: never stop learning, never assume you’ve arrived, and let intentional personal growth be your daily habit.
FAQ: Intentional Personal Growth and Leadership Habits
If you’re new to the idea of intentional personal growth or still wondering about the meaning of intentional living, you’re not alone. After my conversation with John Maxwell at the Entree Leadership Summit, I realized that many people have similar questions about what it takes to become a great leader and how to build a personal growth plan that actually works. Here are some of the most common questions, answered with Maxwell’s wisdom and my own takeaways.
Q: Do I need to be naturally talented to succeed as a leader?
A: Absolutely not. John Maxwell’s story proves that daily habits and intentional effort beat raw talent every time. He openly shared that his communication skills were not innate—they were built over decades of consistent practice, preparation, and learning. The real difference-maker is not talent, but the willingness to show up and do the work, day after day.
Q: What are John Maxwell’s top daily habits?
A: Maxwell’s personal growth plan centers on five simple actions: reading, thinking, filing, asking questions, and writing. He does these every single day, without exception. This routine is the backbone of his intentional living philosophy and the foundation for his success.
Q: Is consistency really more important than talent?
A: Yes—consistency compounds over time. Maxwell insists that excellence comes from small, repeatable routines practiced daily. It’s not about grand gestures or rare flashes of brilliance, but about the steady, intentional effort that builds real results.
Q: Can anyone become intentional about their growth?
A: Absolutely. Intentional personal growth is accessible to everyone. It starts with deciding to live on purpose, setting up daily habits, and sticking to them. As Maxwell says, “Everything worthwhile is uphill.” Success is a climb, not a drift, and anyone can take the first step.
In summary, intentional living means choosing your actions with purpose. With consistency and a clear personal growth plan, anyone can achieve lasting leadership success—no extraordinary talent required.
TL;DR: You don’t have to be a natural-born leader or social butterfly. Showing up with purpose each day—especially through simple, repeatable habits—will grow your influence and success far more than waiting for talent to carry you. Intentional growth compounds. Start today, and the person you become a year from now will thank you.
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