Why Should You Bother With Personal Development?

What happened at your last review with your boss? Did she ask you how things were? Did he give you some generic feedback? Were you asked to name a couple of 'development points'?

How often do you lie in bed, or day-dream on your way to work about an alternative life you would like to be leading? I don't mean necessarily rushing around Europe on a motorbike with Interpol in pursuit, but about doing that job you always wanted, living in that house or town you've always desired, or even just being that little more happy generally.

These are both situation where most of us just sit there and let wash over us. They happen to us, rather than us being an actual part of them. And this is why life doesn't change.

Personal Development is about taking action so that next year you can tell your boss how you have improved and worked on those development points - and thus why you deserve a promotion or pay rise. It is about being a little bit closer to the job or house you wanted everyday. And it is all about being that extra bit happier in yourself - understanding your own head, and how you get to feel more comfortable in it.

Personal development is something you should make time to do. By 'make time' I don't mean break the laws of physics, I mean it should be pretty high up your to do list. And the reason it is often on page 8 of the things to do (if on there at all), is because there is the perception that large chunks of time are required. There is a worry you might have to form your own group or something.

But this is not the case. Little chunks nice and often is the most effective way in fact - it keeps the momentum going without tiring you out. They key is to breakdown what you want to achieve into 5 minute, 10 minute, 20 minute, 30 minute, and 1 hour long nuggets. You can then just pick one of these when you have the opportunity to do something.

That opportunity doesn't have to be a formal sit-at-a-desk time - on the bus to work, listening to something on your iPod at the gym, 10 minutes out of your lunch hour, 5 minutes before you go to sleep etc.

There is a wealth of free resource out there - so much, that if you are just starting to get into personal development then it can be overwhelming. And for most of us that means we run to the nearest cave, and hide there until we find something better to do with our time!

But there are things that you can do that are low emersion to start off with:

1) Read blogs on the subject;
2) Subscribe to podcasts;
3) Read a development book on the bestsellers list;
4) Talk to friends and colleagues - even personnel!; or
5) Attend a local seminar;

Maybe choose one of the above each week and see how you get on - some things you'll enjoy, and others you won't! Just have a go - what is important is to TAKE ACTION. Reading this lens is a great start - now click on some of the links below and find out your next step. And good luck!

The following are resources I use personally to support my own personal development - some you'll love, others you'll not get on so well with. Development is a very personal thing so just have a try.

Blogs

Steve Pavlina

Half-a-dozen Monkeys

PluginID

Organize IT

Books

Get Things Done - David Allen
Seven Habits of Highly Effective People - Stephen Covey
Awaken the Giant Within - Anthony Robbins
Emotional Intelligence - Daniel Goldman
The Mind Gym