Those who are interested in their personal growth are for a variety of reasons. Perhaps you are at a crossroads in your life. Maybe you see that you need to expand your skills or thinking. Perhaps you are tired of the status quo. Or maybe you just love to learn and grow. Whatever the reason, personal growth is a path toward realizing your potential and accomplishing whatever it is you want in life.
Personal growth is a journey, and I would even call it an Inner Odyssey. And while some would have you believe there is only “one way” to achieve this, the truth is there are lots of ways to develop and learn throughout your life, and some will be better at different times than others. If you are curious to know which are most effective and most likely to help you improve yourself, I have compiled this list of effective strategies for personal growth.
Be Mindful
One of the easiest ways that you can get in touch with what needs to improve or change in your life is to start paying attention to yourself and your present moments. Mindfulness is a practice that allows you to focus and pay attention to what's going on around you in the here and now. It means that you pay full attention to yourself as well as to those with whom you share your life. Being mindful requires getting rid of the distractions (um...that phone) that keep you from being present and available to those around you as well as looking at your strengths and your areas of improvement. Mindfulness gives you a path to increasing your self-awareness, which is necessary for true growth.
Pare it Down
Self-improvement is not about quantity but instead focuses on quality. If you were to list everything about yourself that you would like to change, improve, or enhance, it is probably a lengthy list. Rather than trying to do it all, focus on one or two things, and deeply engage in that work. This extends to other parts of your life, as well. Don’t multitask but instead do one thing at a time. Afterall, the science shows us that we really do only have a one-process brain. Be engaged in whatever you are doing fully and presently. When you do one thing, you do it well, and you accomplish your goal.
Reconsider Challenges and Setbacks
No matter what you are trying to accomplish, you will experience setbacks, failures, and challenges. It is inevitable. It is also GROWTH! One of the best things you can do for your personal growth is to learn from these obstacles and experiences rather than allowing them to deflate your sense of purpose or harm your self-confidence. REFLECT. Every opportunity in life is something from which you can learn. It is whether you can see and understand these lessons that show you are growing and learning or not.
Before you set out on a journey of personal development, spend some time clarifying your personal values and beliefs, and understanding exactly what you want from life. Sometimes working this out is the first journey you make.
Figure Out Your Values and Needs
All the personal growth work in the world is not going to help you be happier or more successful if it is taking you in the wrong direction. Before you set out on a journey of personal development, spend some time clarifying your personal values and beliefs, and understanding exactly what you want from life. Sometimes working this out is the first journey you make. Knowing where you are going and what is important to you will ensure that your journey of growth is leaving you better off than before.
Remember Who Matters Most
When you are on a quest to improve yourself, it is necessary to disentangle yourself from what others think or believe. When you let go of a need to gain approval or not to disappoint other people, you free yourself to to focus on the unfolding of your journey. Letting go of others’ expectations, judgments, and opinions allows you to set your own path and focus on what is important to you and you alone.
Until next time, many blessings and much peace!