My mom Joy is 77 years old (that's her on the left – I know, hard to believe, huh?). She went to coaching school with me when she was 74. She challenges herself every day to learn hard stuff (like how to use the computer or program her cell phone), and she's the youngest "old person" I know. I joke with her all the time that she'll never die because she has got too many plans (all of which involve learning something new).

I'm in the middle of my "Unlock the Secrets to Direct Sales: 4 Keys to Success" modular course right now and I've noticed something interesting about the participants based on our interaction through the online forum – most of them are pushing against the change I'm asking them to make just a bit. Now, that's not to say they don't want to make the changes or even that they aren't, just that it's a bit of a challenge. They're growing, and it's hard.

That's because growing, in any form, generally requires us to be uncomfortable for a period of time. I grew 5 inches in one summer and I remember my legs just hurting all the time. My mom called these "growing pains." My oldest son Samuel (who's only 15 and almost 6'4") has them too.

However, if you look back over your life or your business, I'll bet you'll notice that the most difficult times were also the times when you grew the most. That those times brought you the greatest payoff in the end. Staying static is boring. I hope I never "arrive" at the answer about anything in life. It's the growing that keeps me tuned in, turned on, and excited about my business every day. It's never easy and it's sometimes truly frustrating, and I wouldn't have it any other way.

It's really true that you're either growing or dying. And I plan on growing until the day I die, no matter what I'm doing.

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Julie Anne Jones is direct sales corporate consultant, coach, and trainer, and the CEO of Julie Anne Jones, Inc. She is known for her authentic and easy-to-use scripting and specializes in specific language and tools for success in direct sales. To learn more about Julie Anne and her products and services, and to read more blog posts, visit her at www.julieannejones.com.