Personal development is one of the most popular concepts that supports the idea that we can, as human-beings, improve ourselves. So each time a person attends a new workshop, course or training, they are developing some aspect of themselves. That aspect may be to learn a new skill or enhance an existing ability. It might be just to acquire more knowledge about an area of interest. It might also deliberately and consciously be to make a major alteration to a behaviour or habit that is unhealthy or limiting in some way.

So, every time your goal is to alter something about your life, this could come under the label of “personal development”. Interestingly negative experiences can play a part in our understanding and how we experience or perceive the world. Through that negative or upsetting event you will change, no matter how subtle, and therefore develop. So self development can occur through both negative and positive. It can happen through self-determined as well as what might be termed fate-determined events (if indeed there is a difference).

If you are feeling ready to change some aspect of your life, whether that is mental, physical or emotional, here are some brief tips. You may even add some of your tips and strategies that have worked for you in the past.

1) Write a plan. Moving ideas from the mind and bringing them out into the physical world via pen and paper increases the chances you will carry out that plan. Don’t your ideas in your head. Use pen and paper or your computer.
2) Acknowledge past successes. No matter how long ago those successes might be, it is a good idea to be reminded of what success is and how rewarding it feels as an experience. Remember the expression “success breeds success”. Write down your successes that have meant the most to you and recall the feeling they gave you.
3) Distinguish your life areas. Look at all the areas of your life which include work, rest and play. Consider your current occupation (employer), your home life, your recreational pursuits and write them all down. Write down what you are currently doing with your time in those areas of your life.
4) Happiness rating. Gauge how happy or successful you are or how much you enjoy those areas you wrote down for no. 3)
5) Unhappiness rating. If there are areas from no. 3) that stand out for negative reasons such as being energy-sapping, unhappy tasks or activities that you endure, or aspects that you could improve, than these could indicate a focus for your energy regarding your personal development.
6) Reviewing your findings. If you are happy with everything in no. 3) or for whatever reason choose not to change anything right now, than that is a decision made. It at least means you have reviewed your current circumstances and for the moment made a decision which you can revisit another time.
7) Adding more to your life. If tip no. 6) holds true for you, then you might contemplate adding more to your life and how you utilise your time, energy and resources. If you know what it is you want to work on, great. If you don’t know, do a little day-dreaming and just let your mind flit between ideas and desires until you settle on some change that excites you. It is best to make an addition to your life that you can be passionate about.
8) Check your motivation. Whatever area of your life you have chosen to change or add to and therefore to develop, it is vital that you feel motivated to change. So this change must be chosen by you and not because someone else thinks it is the right thing for you to do. It is vital for you to “own” your goal for change if you are to see it through and enjoy success.
9) Confirm your desired life change/addition. Write down on your plan, in vague terms initially, what your personal development desire is (eg. earn some extra money)
10) Firm up the details. Describe in more detail your practical ideas for turning your stated desire into your reality (eg. start a part time internet business selling shoes). What steps do you need to take to make your desire become a reality.
11) Steps with target dates. With the steps you have identified, write down target dates beside each one. This will keep you focussed on getting the steps completed and help keep you motivated as well as providing evidence that you are progressing.
12) Remain Flexible. You may need to review and refine what you do as you go along. Flexibility and a willingness to adapt to unforeseen events and changing conditions will enable you to enjoy the success you seek.

The above 12 personal development tips provide a simple outline of a plan that can help you develop or change a part of you or some area of your life. All of us have good intentions to succeed in life and yet sometimes a block gets in the way of us doing those steps we know we need to do. If this happens guilt can be felt and procrastination may set in too. Procrastination and guilt do not motivate anyone. They de-motivate us.

Hypnotherapy is an effective form of help that supports change and particularly self development. If you need help with any areas of your life that you want to change or add to, why not seek the support of a hypnotherapist who has experience of helping people just like you to lead successful lives.

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Author’s Details

Steven Harold BA(Hons) DCH DHP
Clinical Hypnotherapist – London and Essex

Website: www.hypno-therapist.com Email: mindfully@hypno-therapist.com
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