Personal development is a self help program of conscious effort to develop specific life skills. A personal development plan should include goals for personal growth and action plans in support of the desired growth.
Personal Development Plan
Unfortunately, we often practice this process backwards, addressing self help and personal development without the clarifying foundation of a personal development plan based on purpose of life. Though we surely benefit from every self-help book read, every class taken, and every personal growth lecture attended, the greatest benefits will result when new life skills align with and support a clear purpose of life.
Conscious Personal Growth
The first and most critical step, then, in effective and satisfying personal development is to discover and clarify your purpose of life. Purpose is the answer to the question, "Who am I and why am I here?" Knowing life purpose brings focus, meaning, resilience, and fulfillment to your life; this is a fundamental self help activity.
Life purpose is unique to each individual; parents, teachers, religious leaders, philosophers, and even media personalities may give us their view of life purpose. But it is just that--their view. Your unique purpose of life lies deep within yourself, covered by layers of teachings, warnings, fears, and doubts which we accumulate from others.
"Your work is to discover your work and then with all your heart to give yourself to it," ~ Buddha
Discovering Life Purpose
To begin the journey of personal growth built on purpose of life you must go within, deep within yourself where the wisdom and truth of your soul are waiting to speak with you. Therefore, the tools for discovering and clarifying life purpose are:
- Reflection: Begin by reflecting on your life and life beliefs. What fundamental beliefs govern your actions and behaviors? What are the recurring themes in your life? What is your life purpose?
- Life Review: What are your strengths and weaknesses? Review your successes and failures. What skills supported successful accomplishments and what contributed to failures? How do the beliefs you uncovered in reflection contribute or impede your life?
- Meditation: Meditation is the process of quieting your inner thoughts and self talk in order to connect with your inner wisdom. There are many meditation techniques and processes, but all are designed to achieve a quiet, focused mind. Before starting a meditation, again ask, "What is my purpose of life?"
- Awareness: Be aware of your daily behaviors. Especially take note of who you are being during the highs and lows of your days. When happy, what has been going on and who were you being? Ask the same questions when sad or angry. Watch yourself as if you were outside your body and merely observing.
More Self Awareness Articles
Jerry Lopper - IPPA member, business and engineering degrees. Jerry's passion for personal development shows in 5 books, hundreds of articles & ...
Join the Conversation