The Importance of Personal Development

In this life there are plenty of lessons to be learned. So many that we couldn't possibly begin to comprehend. All of us were raised in a different family or housing situation, and from that we were taught certain things. 

Most of the time, we only learned a few things by seeing our parents or guardians fumble around with that thing they call "parenting". So what can we do if we aren't equipped to face the real world? 

Two words. Personal development! BOOM. Mind blown. Just kidding, but really personal development is an awesome process. It allows us to better ourselves in a way that most people don't think about. 

It can look like all different kinds of things too. You can develop your career skills, dating and social skills, emotional health and coping skills... The possibilities are endless! 

There are few things more important than continually growing as a person. When we add value to who we are, we add value to the amount of money that future employers are willing to pay us. We add value to the character of the person that we decide to marry because we will attract someone who is more put together when we behave likewise. 

Every life has value. What we do with that initial value is up to us. We can choose to maintain or we can choose to become refined. This isn't to say that rich people are better people and impoverished people aren't. That's not what it's about. It's about character, not monetary wealth. 

Will improving our character help us attract more wealth and opportunity? Absolutely. It's not some kind of woo woo magic either. Most people today believe that they are stuck with what they have and with who they are. So when we realize that we can improve ourselves, we automatically set ourselves apart from the status quo. The status quo doesn't breed success. 

We need to have the audacity to believe that we are worth putting effort into. I'll let you in on a secret: I'm not rich, in money or self esteem. Is that going to stop me? No! Who I am is not who I have to be. I am poor. I don't have to stay poor. I can choose to invest in my character and education. 

The number one book for developing exquisite integrity and character is the Holy Bible. Hands down. After that, there are hundreds, maybe even thousands of personal development books. Reading may not be a favorite hobby of yours, but if you want to get ahead in life you need to suck it up and do it anyway. 

Reading enhances your vocabulary, and being eloquent can help open door after door. Take it from me: I'd much rather watch youtube or paint my nails; however, those desires didn't get in the way of me obtaining a 4.0 this semester. 

Do you get the idea of how personal development can change things around? I will give you some action steps to follow:

1. Go to your local public library and look through the personal development section. 

2. Find a book and devote just 30 minutes a day to reading it. 

3. Take notes on what you read each day, and review what you learned the day before. 

These steps will get you on your way to where you want to be. Embrace the change, and love yourself enough to turn things around. 

-Starving Collegette