Do you want to live a splendid existence, full of bounteous color and unremitting joy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Join the club.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The question is – how do we get closer to this mythical beast?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Self-improvement may be one such avenue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Indeed, there are many potential personal development activities we can utilize to improve the quality of our lives. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
So whether you want to become more emotionally intelligent or improve your relationships, effective daily habits<\/a> exist to improve these skills.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And this is where I list them for your reading pleasure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As the saying goes, ‘we don’t know what we don’t know’. <\/p>\n\n\n\n So, like you’re doing now, most personal development starts with reading.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Exposing yourself to new opinions, thoughts and recommendations can have a profound impact on our lives – it’s why I’ve created a personal development book<\/a> section on the site. <\/p>\n\n\n\n I still remember the first time I read ‘The Power of Now’ by Eckhart Tolle which introduced me to the concept of living more fully in the moment, helping to cement my Sometimes, you just read a book at the right time, and it strikes such a chord as to alter the trajectory of your life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Not all readers are successful, but all successful people read.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just as reading exposes us to new viewpoints, so it enables us to learn, which is one of the foundations of psychological wellbeing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n As with the feeling of playing a computer game, leveling up and making progress on a learning pathway unleashes a literal tsunami of psychological wellbeing. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Gaining competence in a new skill not only improves internal satisfaction, but can also improve external results as you put these new abilities into practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Learning and growing really are the hallmarks of personal development, so it’s imperative to advance out of your comfort zone to yield progress.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While reading and learning are foundational aspects of personal development, the power of writing cannot be underestimated. <\/p>\n\n\n\n An abundance of scientific evidence exists to demonstrate the benefits of putting pen to paper. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Releasing your thoughts and feelings is a vital way to gain clarity over what can often seem like a confused and jumbled mind. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Morning Pages<\/a>, popularised by Julia Cameron, is just one way of doing this, as is the more recent Bullet Journal<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Not only does this personal development activity enable us to observe our innermost psychology from an impartial position, but also reflect on our plans and goals – retrospectively ensuring our behaviors align with our desires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As Socrates implored – ‘know thyself’. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Getting to know ourselves better is the first step in modifying our behavior to create a better life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Self-awareness is, therefore, one of the cornerstones of personal development. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Meditation<\/a> is perhaps the best method to achieve this. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In a world full of distractions, the ability to sit in a quiet room observing the contents of your mind becomes a superpower. <\/p>\n\n\n\n We can learn about the automatic states of mind that underpin our actions, realizing that we can gain psychological distance from these thoughts – before acting productively.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Most personal development activities can be performed alone as part of a #nourishing daily routine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sometimes, however, there’s no replacement for gaining an external perspective from a trained and\/or experienced professional. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Many people seek coaching or mentoring<\/a> for this, or in the case of complex mental health issues, therapy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Speaking to someone who is impartial and removed from our situation can help to identify areas for further exploration and work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Admitting issues openly and having our thoughts and feelings reflected back to us is a powerful exercise in bringing about personal growth. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Furthermore, accountability is key as we begin the painful process of transformation, aligning our actions with our desires.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Goal setting<\/a> can be a strong personal development skill to master. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Creating ambitious but achievable objectives is one facet of creating a purpose-orientated life, especially when those aims align with your inner purpose and core values. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Making progress towards these targets is a rewarding activity, both on an internal and external level, improving your quality of life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While most personal development focuses on mental fitness, physical exercise is one of the foundations of fulfillment. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After all, without sufficient investment in our health, any self-improvement exercises only increase in difficulty. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Exercise not only improves our physical wellbeing, but also enhances our psychological wellness, providing renewed energy for tackling our most grisly goals.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Listening skills are central to the relationships in our lives and breed empathy, conversations<\/a>, and connection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Active listening boils down to attentiveness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Placing your full attention on the speaker allows you to interpret verbal and non-verbal cues and form an appropriate response for a symbiotic interaction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This type of mindful listening isn’t an acquired trait, but rather a skill that can be practiced for personal and professional development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just as active listening improves your interactions, so too you can apply the skill to the wider topic of teamwork to foster a positive, supportive network. <\/p>\n\n\n\n After all, no goals are ever achieved in isolation – by recruiting an empowering cadre of individuals working towards similar aims, not only will you be held accountable, but your mindset will shift in a positive direction. <\/p>\n\n\n\n If you become collaborative enough in the wider team, you could also be considered for a leadership<\/a> role. Bonus.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While personal development might seem like all work and no play, it’s imperative to include rest in the daily routine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Otherwise, the constant push towards self-improvement can easily lead to fatigue and burnout. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Self-care activities vary, but can include such stimulating hobbies as gardening, knitting, puzzles or scrapbooking. <\/p>\n\n\n\nPersonal Development Activities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Reading<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
intermittent<\/s> regular meditation practice. <\/p>\n\n\n\n2. Learning<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
3. Journaling<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
4. Meditation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
5. Coaching and Mentoring<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
6. Goal Setting<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
7. Exercise<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
8. Active Listening<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
9. Teamwork<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
10. Self-Care Activities<\/h3>\n\n\n\n