Personal development is the study and practice of improving one’s life, especially our career, education, relationships, health, happiness, productivity, spirituality, and other personal goals. Common aspects of personal development include goal setting, motivation, changing habits, improving awareness, identifying one’s values and beliefs, and self-actualization.
Personal development has a rich history that includes influences from Ancient Greek philosophy, Eastern and Western religions, Existentialism, Psychoanalysis, Hypnotherapy, Gestalt Therapy, and Humanistic Psychology.
Today many concepts and theories in personal development have begun to be tested scientifically in domains of Clinical Psychology (especially therapies like Cognitive-Behavioral Therapy), as well as research in Positive Psychology, Cognitive Psychology, and Neuroscience.
Personal development has never been more alive than today. Ever since humans first became conscious they have been in pursuit of happiness and satisfaction. And throughout our written history we have learned a lot about different ways we can improve our lives. Now equipped with the science of modern psychology, humans have more resources and information available than ever before on how to live a better life.
But even with all this great information, many are probably confused on where they should get started. That is a big reason why I write on this blog. I want to filter out the ideas that are no longer relevant and highlight the ones that have persisted and proven to be effective. Here are some of the most common assumptions in personal development to help get you started:
Common assumptions in personal development
- You are responsible for how you live your life. People who are on the personal development path understand that their thoughts and actions play a big role in what they get out of life.
- You need to define what you want before you can achieve it. Many people go through life aimlessly, without a clear destination in mind. Ultimately, however, we need to identify our values in life before we can achieve them.
- Short-term costs can lead to long-term benefits. Actively trying to change one’s life is not a walk in the park; it often requires effort, and even failure. There are no magic pills or blueprints for you to follow. You need to be willing to invest yourself, which requires short-term costs that lead to long-term benefits.
- You are always changing. The truth is that whether we play an active role in our personal development or not, we are always changing and developing as individuals. We are all on some kind of personal development path, but some take more control over their destiny than others.
- Your thoughts matter. We sometimes think of our thoughts as immaterial and inconsequential, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. How you think strongly influences how you act. And how you act will determine the results you get out of life.
- Your habits matter. Just as we should focus on changing our thoughts, we should also focus on exploring new habits. As the saying goes, “If you keep doing what you’ve always done, you’ll keep getting what you’ve always got.” Sometimes we won’t know what the correct course of action is until we have experimented with different things.
- The present moment is your place of power. Every conscious decision we make and every action we do unfolds in the present moment. The more attuned you are to the present, the greater control you have over your day-to-day actions.
- Learn from the past. While we can’t change our past, but we can often look back on it and learn from our past mistakes and past successes.
- Be optimistic about the future. We don’t always know what the future may bring, but if we remain optimistic and hopeful we allow ourselves to act in ways that help create that fact. Often times, it can become a kind of self-fulfilling prophecy.
Obviously I cannot adequately sum up the whole personal development movement in just a few bullet-points, but I think these are some of the key concepts that you will learn about throughout your development. If you’re new, keep these ideas in mind for now, and over time you will learn about them with greater depth.
Personal development is not something that can be learned and absorbed over night. In my mind, it is a never-ending process. Our lives are always changing, and thus there are always new and better ways for us to think and act. Everything is in a constant state of flux, and there is always progress to be made. It’s not a bad thing – it keeps life interesting.
Keep in mind, however, that personal development isn’t necessarily for everyone. Some people don’t need this kind of material. And some people just actively refuse it. I like to respect everyone’s values and goals no matter what they may be (even if it is to have no values or goals).
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May 28th, 2011
Hi Steven,
This is a seriously great article! For many people, especially those of us who blog about personal development, the idea of it seems rather intuitive; however, I wonder how many of us have actually stopped to sit down and define personal development for ourselves. This is so important for both PD bloggers and their readers to truly grasp what it is we are striving to achieve and our core beliefs or assumptions behind that drive.
You have touched on so many critical aspects, but there is one more key point I would like to mention. Although it's been dubbed "personal" development, I don't think this process of experience, reflecting, and growth happens purely on our own. Sure, it's possible for those rare individuals like Henry David Thoreau, but in general, personal development is also largely about personal connections. We are much more likely to grow and achieve our goals when we have the encouragement and support of others. (Kind of like why networking is so important in the business world.) Furthermore, as much as we need others' support, we also need them to challenge our thoughts and ideas, as this also allows to learn and grow.
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May 28th, 2011
I think I'd like to see the points added to – and some changed.
I'd add that our emotions matter, and that our context matters.
I think the idea that we are always changing bears some investigation. My feeling is that there are some interests and approaches of mine that are fairly stable. Whether this 'should' be this way is another discussion.
Also defining what you want to achieve. I probably agree with you about values but many people apply this to goals and that can be more problematic I think.
May 30th, 2011
Steven, I personally think that personal development is one of the most, if not the most important endeavor someone can pursue. We all strive for happiness. Obviously, one person's definition of happiness is different from another's. However, I agree that it seems that most people are not putting enough work into growing personally, and striving for the happiness that they claim they want. It's scary that, at 31, I feel like I'm just beginning.
June 17th, 2011
Very cool article. If one is blind to personal development than their life will remain stagnant and unchanging like the vast majority of people. The funny thing is people spend so much time complaining when they should be striving to better themselves.
Break the habits than realize and harness the true power of your mind. That is what I take away from this article. Once again, great info!
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June 17th, 2011
Hey Rinse, thanks for the feedback – that is exactly what I wanted people to take away from this article. I just want to see more people CONSCIOUSLY involved in their personal development and growth. We are dynamic and evolving beings, don't just settle for the same old patterns.
October 6th, 2011
Steven —
I love this article. I'm looking forward to branching off into the site and reading more. That said, I was wondering if you could give me a quick explanation of the concept behind self-actualization and how it plays a role in personal development.
Thanks
October 22nd, 2011
These steps are very nice for personal development. Personal development is hard work. It takes time, consistency, and patience. First For personal development, accept your life purpose.
November 3rd, 2011
Hi Steven,
You have given us a really good run down of what personal development is. The assumptions are spot on and the areas and aspects of personal development are comprehensive. Could you have pointed the readers on to start their personal development journey. As I read this I get the feeling that you think personal development is something superficial reserved only for those brave and crazy enough to undertake. I believe that this is not the case. It is something very lacking in our human societies and is very much left to chance. Shouldn't all of us learnt about this?
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January 18th, 2012
Yes I want to agree with Noah that I believe in the design and the uniqueness of every life. Therefore it is important to deeply mine such questions such as who am I? why am I here? and begin to draw out to play the we are meant to play in the game of life. The purpose is more fulfilling when discovered than living life trying many things.
Äs Aristotle would put it "We are what we repeatedly do; therefore excellence is not an act but a habit"