Tools for Personal Growth

Personal growth requires the desire to self improve, and personal growth can come from making changes to your character flaws like learning patience.  But, It can also be about growing as a person, such as adding new experiences to your repertoire.  When you try new experiences, it may help you to find new passions, new strengths and even some new weaknesses.  Regardless of the outcome, when you try something new, you are making progress on personal growth.

Experiences To Enhance Your Personal Growth

1.  Take A Class

There are so many subjects that are offered for free or at low cost at your local library or community college.  Think about what subject you are interested in.  Do you like cooking?  Then a non credited cooking class would be a great place to start.  Or if you like computers but do not know how to do certain programs, then an intro class such as Excel 101, would be a way to have personal growth. 

2.    Learn A Language

There are Free and low cost options online or at the library.  There is everything from sign language to Spanish to Russian that are available online, by book, CD or DVD.  There are even apps that can help you to learn a language and experience personal growth.

3.    Enjoy Nature

Take a walk in your neighborhood or at a local park or forest preserve.  You can also watch a sun rise or sun set.  Spending time in nature can increase your ability to appreciate nature.  It can also inspire you and also give you a sense of relaxation and inner peace.

4.  Spend time with friends and loved ones

Set time to have time with people you love. . It does not have to be extended time, but rather meaningful time.  If you can set aside a half hour or hour to grab a coffee with a friend, this helps maintain the relationship, provides happiness and gives a sense of connection.

5.  Try A New Hobby

Try a small craft project, a new sport club or a new exercise class.  Think about something you use to enjoy but have given up, or a hobby you have always wanted to do.  Have the courage to try something new.

6.    Reduce or eliminate time on social media, even for a small amount of time.  

When you reduce time on the computer or phone using social media, you can focus on the moment or the other person.  When you are engaged in the computer, phone or tablet, it is hard to pay attention to the situation around you or the people around you.  Take time to be with, have fun and listen to those around you.

7.    Make a bucket list  

Identify everything you hope to do in life.  This can be places to see, people to meet, or experiences to achieve.  These can be dreams and goals.  Some of them may be realistic while others may be something you wish but might be hard to achieve.  Once you have made the list, separate into achievable and very hard to achieve.  It is important that many of the items are realistic and others might be harder to achieve.

8.    Make to do lists  

To do lists are a good way to stay organized and keep you focused and on track.  This is a handy tool to better manage your time and ensure that you are successful in your tasks.

9.    Get Motivated

Read a book on motivation, or listen to a motivational speaker.  There are many online resources, including YouTube that have motivational articles, books or seminars.  Hearing motivational speakers can give you the boost you are seeking to set and achieve goals.

10.  Avoid negative people

Negative people can drain us of energy and also lead you to having a pessimistic outlook.  Surrounding yourself with positive people can help increase self esteem and help your outlook on life.  If you can not avoid negative people in your life, try to limit contact.   This will help you keep balance, as well as, keep you feeling positive and motivated to make personal growth.

Personal growth is a way to expand yourself and grow as a person.  When you work on personal growth, it is a way for you to challenge yourself to reach your fullest potential and life a life of overall happiness.  There are many resources available online and at your library that are at no cost or low cost.  Personal growth opportunities are available to everyone.

- Kim B.