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Do you know this feeling when you read an inspiring self-development book, get really motivated, and realize after some time that nothing has changed in your life? Then this article is what you are looking for! The tips and strategies described here will help you boost your personal development.
As you probably guessed from the blog title, personal development is key for me. Since the first self-development book I’ve read, I’m eager to learn more to achieve improvements in all areas of my life. I’m, actually, sort of addicted to the feeling of satisfaction that arises when I manage to achieve one of my goals, even if it’s only being more efficient and/or productive for a specific task.
However, the caveat with personal development books and other resources is that we sometimes get lost in the ocean of information and lose track of our goals – that is, if we have set any…
Truth is that you can only take your personal development to the next level when you take action. In other words, it’s not enough to gather information and knowledge, the essential part comes when you put this advice into practice by applying it to your life.
This list of tips provides you with a few techniques and habits that will help you boost your personal development.
1. Read
Of course, reading is key on your journey of self-development. Not only is the practice of reading itself beneficial, but books are such a great resource of information. They can inspire and motivate you, broaden your horizon, teach you about new practices, cultures, people, and so much more. Actually, there are so many interesting books out there that we have to be careful not to get distracted from our goals and make sure we stay focused, taking one step at a time.
2. Observe
Being able to observe objectively is an essential skill when aspiring to personal growth. Reflecting on situations and past events can help you understand your behaviors and reactions but also learn to know yourself better and, ultimately, heal your wounds. When we are in the middle of a situation, we often act subconsciously. Taking the time to think about what has happened, will allow you to distance yourself and might even help you identify patterns.
Personally, it took me years to realize I was involved in the same kind of toxic relationships. That’s the time I needed to be able to view things more objectively and try to identify what went wrong and how to avoid repeating the same pattern over and over again.
Journaling can be a great observation tool which also has the advantage to leave a trace.
3. Exercise introspection
Self-reflection plays a great role in one’s self-development journey. The idea is to learn to look inward instead of outward – to realize that everything you are looking for is within you. This type of self-examination will help you discover your true self and identify your strengths as well as the areas where improvement is needed.
Introspection is not an easy task – no wonder we surround ourselves with distractions to avoid having to face our thoughts and emotions. Mindfulness practice is a powerful tool to check in with yourself and focus on the present moment.
4. Find like-minded people
Finding a mentor or a role model can be extremely motivating. It can be someone you know and admire, or a famous person who inspires you. Of course, it’s even better if you can interact with the person and learn directly from them, e.g., with a life coach or a teacher.
Also, try to surround yourself with people with similar aspirations as yours. Having a companion on your path of growth can be extremely enriching and will help keep the journey fun and motivating.
5. Stay focused
As already mentioned, it’s easy to get distracted on your personal growth journey. I sometimes realize that I’m trying to focus on too many areas of my life at a time, which is counterproductive. It’s important to enjoy the journey and take one step at a time. Trust in the fact that books, teachings, mentors, etc., will enter your life just when you are ready to listen and learn.
Setting goals for your personal development – and possibly writing them down – can be an effective way to stay focused. Make sure your goals are achievable but still challenging enough to keep you motivated. Also, breaking down your goals into steps will be a great help to stay focused and make your objectives more reachable.
6. Embrace your fears
The ability to face and embrace your fears also is an essential skill for your personal growth. Usually, being afraid of something is a hint that we are heading in the right direction. It’s only human to be afraid of doing new things – and obviously, if it were that easy, everybody would do it and you wouldn’t need any self-development advice to achieve it.
So go for it: take the dancing class you’re longing to attend, make this proposal, become your own boss, do what you feel is calling you, despite your fear and what other people might think.
7. Be open minded
If you want to learn and grow, it’s crucial to show some flexibility. Get out of your comfort zone and embrace change. Try to be open to new concepts and accept other perspectives. Give new ideas a try – you can still try something else if you realize it doesn’t work.
Remember that everything is possible as long as you want it, take the necessary action. and approach it with the right mindset. I like to read success stories to remind myself of this. I find it very inspiring to discover the journey of an inventor, an athlete, or a business owner, and see how they overcame their fears and failures to achieve their goals.
8. Take responsibility
It’s easy to blame others for the aspects of our lives we are not satisfied with but it doesn’t help us find solutions. Even if someone might be faulty of a specific situation, we need to take responsibility for our lives if we want something to change.
Isn’t it relieving to know that we have the ability to consciously arrange our lives and realize our dreams?
9. Follow your heart
Try to do things you like as much as possible. If you are passionate about something, it will be much easier for you to stay motivated and reach your goals. Moreover, our passion is usually an indicator that we are doing the right thing. We need to let go of negative beliefs and allow ourselves to have fun on the journey!
10. Be kind to yourself and others
Remember to be indulgent with yourself and others. We’re all at different stages of our paths and are trying our best to heal and grow. Don’t be too hard on yourself if you fail, this is part of the journey and the learning. Try to identify what went wrong and re-adjust your approach.
Of course, being kind to others doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t set boundaries. Much to the contrary, it’s essential that you defend your values and let people know in a kind manner if they are crossing a limit.
Practicing these strategies consistently will help you stay on track and take your self-development to the next level. Never forget that this is a journey and that growing should be fun!
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