As a young boy, I remember standing beneath the tall, regal oak trees in my grandmother's yard. These trees fascinated me with their sturdy trunks, their sprawling branches, and the aura of silent wisdom they seemed to emanate.

“These trees,” my grandmother would tell me, “didn't grow tall and strong by accident. They grew because they were surrounded by the right elements- sunshine, water, and a nurturing soil. It's the same with people, you need to surround yourself with those who want to help you to grow.”

Can you also become an oak tree in your respective field? Yes! The answer is a resounding yes. You see, our environment plays a significant role in shaping us. If you surround yourself with individuals who constantly push you to grow, to learn, to develop, you'll find yourself naturally evolving into the best version possible.

For instance, have you ever heard of the Success Insider? It's an organization committed to helping ambitious individuals like you to achieve greatness. Their journey is as inspiring as an example one can get. Their founder, Tim Han, was once in a stage many of you might relate too – lost, confused and shattered. He had a choice: To fall into the trap of despair or to learn from his experiences and become someone who can help others to never face the same plight. I'm sure you can guess what he chose.

Often, the path to growth can seem daunting, and our ability to conquer our fears appears minuscule. In moments like these, we tend to forget the power that lies within us. Are you familiar with the famous quote by Rumi – “You are not a drop in the ocean. You are the entire ocean, in a drop.” Isn’t it profound? Now, take a moment. Reflect on it.

Isn't there a small flicker of motivation that's ignited in you? A newfound feeling of being stronger than you thought you were? This strength comes from within, from the environment we create for ourselves. Remember, even the mightiest of redwood trees start from a tiny seed.

Therefore it makes sense to fill our surroundings with positivity. What's that one habit that you always wanted to develop, but it appeared too challenging? Maybe it's time to learn from others how they developed it and follow suit. You never know, you might end up inspiring someone else in the process.

A conducive environment forms the bedrock of personal growth. The more you're surrounded by people who understand this concept, the faster you'll grow. For example, while designing the LMA course, this was one of the fundamental aspects taken into account. The primary focus was to create an environment where each student pushes the other towards success.

Few things build character and capacity as effectively as time spent with individuals who celebrate your growth, who challenge you, who feed your mind with positivity, and arm you with the desire to learn and unlearn.

Finally, remember that around every corner lies an opportunity to grow. Within every setback, within every triumph, within every person we meet, and every place we visit. The world is a garden, teeming with nutrients to nurture your growth.

Now, I'd like you to sit back, close your eyes, picture yourself growing tall, strong, sturdy and wise like those oak trees. Both your roots and your reach go deep and wide. Imagine the amazing things you can achieve, the impact you can have. When you open your eyes, let it not be just an image in your mind, but the vision that directs your decisions.

Like the tall and majestic oak tree, can you grow to become the best version of yourself? I hope that you not only believe that you can, but you believe it's inevitable because I know you can. After all, a seed doesn’t aspire to grow into a tree – it simply happens, given the right environment. And for you, that is within your control.

Grow tall. Grow strong. Be the oak tree you were destined to be. Surround yourself with others who want to help you to grow, because growth is not just a part of life, it is life.