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I know all too well this feeling, like being trapped in a never-ending cycle. Each morning, I wake up and go through the same routine; coffee, work, exercise, walk the dogs, cook dinner, and then unwind with a book or a show before bed. Only to wake up and do it all over again.
During the pandemic, it felt as if life was stuck in a rut. Like we were all stuck in a traffic jam, with our dreams, aspirations, and goals stuck in the back of our minds, hard to reach. Even as we adapt to the new normal, that feeling of being stuck may still linger.
The silver lining? You’re not alone in this journey. Personal development is here to assist you.
I set out on a journey of self-discovery and improvement long before I knew the true meaning of it. My desire for growth and change in my life led me to seek personal development.
If you’re looking for ways to up your personal development game, we’re here to help.
What is personal development ?
Personal development is a symphony of self-discovery, where each individual’s unique melody unfolds in its own distinct way. It may not always be a simple tune, but it is worth the effort to uncover and nurture the harmony within ourselves.
What are the different areas of personal development ?
Personal development is a journey to reach the summit of self-actualization, akin to climbing Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Each step on the ascent, from fulfilling basic needs to reaching the peak of self-awareness, self-confidence, personal growth, and self-realization, requires dedication and effort.
Much like Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, there are five distinct areas of personal development, each with its own unique path to be explored and conquered.
Mental
Unleashing the power of the mind is the first step in the symphony of personal development. With a plethora of mental activities to choose from, you can play your tune to perfection. From taking a class, to reading a book, or watching an educational video, the opportunities to grow are endless.
Just as daily exercise keeps the body fit, carving out time for mental development can lead to a flourishing career, increased productivity and much more. As an example, the notes of your personal development symphony could include reading industry-related books, listening to enlightening podcasts and taking courses that challenge and inspire you.
Social
Personal development is not just a solo journey, it’s also a social adventure! Building and nurturing connections and relationships is an essential part of self-improvement, after all, we are social creatures who thrive on human interaction.
Through social connections, we acquire valuable skills such as effective communication, problem-solving, relationship-building, and the art of receiving (and giving) feedback. Not to mention, the wealth of knowledge and experiences we gain from those around us. So let’s raise a glass to strong connections and relationships, they are the cherry on top of our personal development sundae!
Spiritual
Embracing personal growth and development through spirituality is a joyful and enlightening experience, regardless of one’s religious beliefs. It’s an opportunity to dive deeper into understanding ourselves and the world around us, uncovering our values and discovering new aspects of ourselves.
The activities that fall under this category can be anything from spending time in prayer and reading your Bible, to taking a nature walk or meditating.
Emotional
Emotional growth and emotional intelligence go hand in hand, as understanding and managing our emotions is key to personal development. Emotional intelligence means having the ability to understand and navigate our feelings, as well as understanding how those feelings shape our thoughts and actions.
Emotional personal development can come from a variety of experiences, and reflecting on our journey can help us identify areas of growth and development. When you look back on your journey, what have you learned?
When you reflect on your journey, it’s likely that you’ve fostered a sense of emotional development. This requires emotional intelligence to understand what role our feelings and thoughts played in our personal growth.
But mental development is not limited to workshops or training sessions, rest and relaxation play a vital role in keeping the mind sharp. As you nourish your mental fitness, you will find yourself becoming more resilient, innovative, and self-aware.
Physical
It is important to keep in mind that personal development encompasses all aspects of oneself, and should not be limited to focusing on one particular area. When choosing activities to promote personal development, it is essential to consider various aspects of physical well-being, such as exercise, eating habits, and sleep patterns. Examples of activities that promote physical well-being include regular exercise, adhering to a consistent sleep schedule, planning and preparing nutritious meals, and scheduling regular check-ups with a healthcare provider. By incorporating healthy habits related to exercise, nutrition, and sleep, one can strive to achieve optimal physical well-being.
How can personal development help your career?
When contemplating personal development, individuals may employ a SWOT analysis, which examines Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats, or alternatively, focus on identifying their strengths and weaknesses.
Personal development goals can have a profound impact on one’s personal and professional life. It promotes motivation, rather than mere complacency, in both personal and professional pursuits, by providing clear goals to strive towards. Additionally, personal development can uncover and foster the cultivation of latent skills and talents, which can be leveraged to excel in a particular area, or address areas of weakness.
Common personal development goals include:
- Stop procrastinating.
- Get organized.
- Becoming more proactive.
- Manage stress levels better.
- Be more resilient.
- Be more mindful/present in the moment.
- Improve willpower.
- Practice gratitude.
- Give up bad habits.
11 personal development skills to work on
If you are uncertain about your path for personal development, consider seeking the guidance of a coach. Personalized coaching can provide valuable support in creating a customized plan for self-actualization.
Your coach will collaborate with you to identify specific skills to focus on that align with your unique experiences. To begin, you may take the Whole Person Assessment, which can assist in identifying your strengths and areas for improvement. Additionally, common areas of personal development that you may want to consider include:
- Communication and interpersonal skills
- Problem-solving
- Cognitive agility and adaptability
- Self-compassion, self-care, and self-reflection
- Conflict and conflict resolution
- Navigating change and uncertainty
- Future-mindedness
- Organizational skills
- Growth mindset
- Teamwork and collaboration
- Self-awareness
Personal development plan
As with every goal, you have to make a plan. By assembling your personal development plan with some structure, you’re on your way to achieve the fixed goals:
1.Set yourself goals:
Start your journey to success by setting your sights on your goals. Whether it’s in the short term or long term, make a plan and take the first step towards making your dreams a reality. Don’t be intimidated by the size of your aspirations, break them down into manageable steps and watch yourself soar towards achieving them.
2.Prioritizing your goals
Take your goals to the next level by breaking them down into SMART steps. Specific, Measureable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound. Make sure each step is tailored to your skill, knowledge or experience development, with a clear measure of progress, achievable and realistic, relevant to your overall goal and time-bound for optimal focus and success. Remember, personal development is a journey, so continue to grow and evolve as you work towards your goals.
Prioritize your goals and turn them into reality by setting mini goals. For example, if your dream is to become a senior lecturer and then a professor, a crucial step would be to attain a PhD. Break it down into manageable steps, like researching the application process, finding the perfect university and supervisor, securing funding, applying for scholarships, and submitting your application. Make your big goals happen, one step at a time.
3.Set yourself Deadlines
Achieving your goals on time is essential and picturing your future is a powerful motivator. Set a deadline for your goals, like buying a home, and use it to calculate your savings plan. The same goes for your personal and professional development, set realistic and time-bound goals to drive your motivation and progress. Learn from those who’ve been there before by seeking advice and understanding their experiences, it will help you overcome obstacles and achieve success in your own Personal Development Plan.
4.Recognise Threats and Opportunities
Unlock your full potential by conducting a SWOT analysis on your goals. Identify your strengths, areas for improvement, opportunities to support you, and potential threats. For example, overcome a lack of motivation by acknowledging and addressing your tendency to procrastinate or lose focus. Seize the opportunities that come your way, like attending a conference to network, stay current and present a paper. These opportunities can help you achieve your goals and make your Personal Development Plan a success.
5.Develop yourself
Take control of your progress by capitalizing on the opportunities you identified, and creating an action plan to make it happen. Eliminate what holds you back and stay on track by identifying the steps you need to take. Consider upskilling yourself, developing transferable skills, and exploring online learning opportunities to stay ahead in today’s fast-paced job market. Your plan of action is the key to success.
6. Use Your Support Network
Don’t go it alone! Your support network is a valuable asset, use it and don’t underestimate it. In your Personal Development Plan, identify the people who can help you, whether it’s a financial advisor, a friend, or a colleague. People are often more than willing to help, so don’t be afraid to ask for support on your journey to success.
7.Measure Progress
Celebrate your progress, big or small, and reflect on how far you’ve come. Recognizing your achievements will boost your motivation and keep you on track. Reflect on your setbacks too, briefly wallow but don’t dwell, instead, identify the cause and find a way to get back on track. Keep updating your plan, focusing on your next move, and gain insight from your reflections to continue growing and evolving. Remember, continuous reflection is key to progress and growth.
In a nutshell: Personal self development is the key to success
Personal development is the key to unlocking your full potential and achieving your aspirations. Even if you don’t always succeed, the more skills and resources you have, the better your chances of success.
