A houseplant’s growth is dependent on the right mix of light, water, and fertilizer. It adapts to its surroundings to increase its chances for survival. Humans are no different. By harnessing personal growth and development we can adapt to our own environments, rise above challenges, and become stronger.
This growth can happen naturally, but it is most often an active practice to keep you sharp and prepared to overcome adversity. What new skills do you need to be ready for what’s next? Are your habits and lifestyle working with you or against you? What’s your vision for your best self?
While age brings wisdom, we’re only human after all, susceptible to mistakes and still ripe for learning. That’s doubly true for entrepreneurs. This article highlights the benefits of proactive personal growth and development, and offers tips and tools to build your own plan for future business success.
What is personal growth and development?
Personal growth and development is the lifelong process of striving for a better self, either socially, spiritually, physically, mentally, or emotionally. What “better” means in this case will be unique to each person’s circumstances—and it’s something you can only define for yourself.
Personal growth is generally intentional and self-directed. It refers to steps taken or techniques used to improve oneself, whether that’s through building healthy habits, learning important skills, or gaining self-awareness. It is a school of one from which you never graduate.
For entrepreneurs, personal and professional growth can be linked. For example, a personal development journey can contribute to increased confidence to start a business or take an existing one to the next level.
5 areas of personal growth and development
While a plant’s growth is entirely physical and based on a biological urge to survive, humans are more complex. Our overall wellness is contingent on the health of our body, mind, and soul. As you prepare your personal growth and development plan, consider how you can grow in each of these areas.
1. Physical
Physical health has trickle-down effects, impacting other areas. Studies have shown that exercise can have a positive effect on mental health. But fitness can be linked to social wellness, too—group exercise is a great way to tackle personal growth from both a physical and social perspective.
Personal growth in the physical realm also includes changes to lifestyle or routine to improve areas like sleep, digestion, energy levels, endurance, or hydration.
2. Emotional
Emotional personal growth and development refers to steps you can take to get in touch with and manage your feelings. Understanding your emotions can help you make decisions that put your wellbeing first. Developing your emotional intelligence can also improve your relationships with those around you.
3. Spiritual
Spiritual growth isn’t limited to a religious belief. Personal development in this area can refer to actions you take to connect with yourself, your values, and your environment. The practice of meditation, for example, can increase self-awareness on a path to spiritual growth.
4. Social
Personal growth and development can happen through relationships with others. Social isolation has been found to shorten life span, and loneliness can impact both mental and physical health. Social personal development can refer to steps you take to build and grow positive relationships with family and friends, or through career networking.
5. Mental
Mental development is like exercise for your brain. You can grow your skills and knowledge through courses, self-directed learning, coaching, or even activities that work out a new part of your brain. For those working at a computer all day, hands-on activities like crafts or puzzles can develop creative thinking that you can use in other areas of your life.
Personal growth and development examples
Personal growth is entirely, well, personal. There are countless ways to improve yourself, so don’t let this list limit you! Just remember that personal growth should focus on you and the things you have the power to change and improve within yourself or your environment.
Examples of personal growth and development include:
- Building healthy habits—or kicking unhealthy ones
- Learning new skills (life skills, social skills, tactile skills)
- Increasing energy or improving physical health through fitness, water consumption, and improved sleep habits
- Improving self-esteem
- Reducing clutter—both physical and emotional clutter
- Finding joy in new hobbies, friends, or surroundings—and cutting out those that do not bring joy (think Marie Kondo for your social life!)
- Learning to find happiness or validation from within
- Getting in touch with your mental health
The benefits of personal growth for business owners
Continually improving yourself can have benefits beyond your mood or physical fitness levels. Development of positive life skills and a focus on learning can help entrepreneurs be better leaders and decision makers through the following:
- Increased problem-solving skills. A path of personal growth will often have resistance. Working through those challenges is like strengthening a muscle. Future obstacles become an easier lift.
- Improved resilience. Taking steps to understand feelings and how to manage them can contribute to a positive mindset, improving mental fortitude to bounce back and start over after failure.
- A supportive network. Personal growth in your social life means increasing or improving relationships. This strengthened network becomes a support system for entrepreneurs who often start businesses solo.
- More confidence. Improving physical wellbeing has fringe benefits, often having a positive impact on emotional wellbeing. The improvement to mood can be a confidence booster as entrepreneurs navigate new paths.
- An expanded skill set. Mental personal development may include learning new skills. These can come in handy for new founders who may be wearing many hats in the early days of the business.
Embark on your personal growth journey
Being successful in life and business often comes with hard work. A focus on personal growth can keep you motivated toward achieving goals, no matter how many challenges you face.
Whether you’re working on spiritual growth, improving self care, or arming yourself with essential skills, your personal growth and development journey will be unique. Set goals and identify the tools and tactics that are most effective for you. It’s time to conquer the world!
Wrapping up
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Article reference: https://www.shopify.com/blog/personal-growth