Article by Inspired Robin
Why Are You Even Looking at Personal Development?
Do you think this is a legitimate question? Well, if you cannot answer this simple question then it would be advisable to either take a moment to find a reason or you may just want to watch some more television. If you do have a reason then that is the first step towards making the most of personal development. Also, vitally important are setting up the right expectations and taking the heavy, albeit liberating, burden entirely unto yourself to actually implement life changes. These simple steps will have you on the fast track to getting the most from any personal development plan.
First, what do you want from a personal development plan?
First and foremost, answer this right now, what about yourself do you want to change with a personal improvement program? Identify why you embarked upon, or are considering, a personal development or improvement plan in the first place. It is critical to establish what you want to change or else we will just be looking busy as opposed to being productive.
The second part of finding out what you wish to gain from personal development is digging slightly deeper and exploring why you want this. If you do not have a good reason for wanting something, you simply are not likely to keep going when the going gets tough.
Goal setting and personal expectations
The next step to make the most of personal development is to ask yourself, “What do I expect from this?” In other words, why are you even trying? Consider the following example. A person wanted to lose 30 pounds in 30 days, but feels defeated when they only lose 14. This is a great success. Or is it? The caveat we encounter here is that it is only a success to the individual if they had reasonable expectations.
When undertaking personal development, we need to understand that we all have years of engrained habits, traits, and personal quirks that are going to take time to consciously overcome. Use this truth to set realistic expectations and allow yourself reasonable time as well. The last part of this tip is to follow the expert’s or author’s guidelines. Let’s face it, if nobody in recorded history made themselves a success entirely alone then why should we presume we have all the answers?
Changing your life is a personal responsibility
The last part of getting the most from personal development may be the hardest to swallow and the most demanding to rise above. And that is personal responsibility. The duties of setting goals, overcoming adversity, and being and feeling successful fall solely upon ourselves to accomplish, and that is only if we even desire this.
As the world-renowned business philosopher Jim Rohn says, it is only action that begins the miracle life change process. Likewise, without action, there is no miracle and our lives remain just about how they have always been. The absolute bottom line of personal development is this: Nobody else can change you. If we want personal development gurus, books, and seminars to affect our lives then we must take action and we must do it immediately, lest we allow our lives to continue down a familiar path.
Putting it all together
In closing, making the most of personal development is simple. Find out why and what life changes you want to make. Next, set up some reasonable expectations. Finally take it upon yourself – and only yourself – to successfully tackle this lifelong expedition. As you continue on in your personal development journey, remember this inspirational quote from the great Jim Rohn: “You cannot change your destination overnight, but you can change your direction overnight!”
About the Author
You and Inspired Robin have a lot in common. You both realize we have vast untapped potential, and you are trying to improve who you are. Personal development and life change is an everyday journey. You can stay motivated and move forward everyday by reading Robin’s daily inspirational and motivational personal development blog.
