*** Focusing on Your Own Personal Development: Take the Time

Do you ever wish you were someone else or somewhere else? Sometimes it happens that we get all wrapped up in our own doubts, fears and insecurities; that inner voice that nags at us and doesn’t say the nicest things. Do you ever feel that the grass is greener on the other side of the fence? It might look like someone else is doing better, feeling better, more successful that you. The reality is that many people, perhaps most people are having a similar experience and perhaps are more scared than you.nnFocusing energy on your own personal development is a key to being truly satisfied with you. Taking a dedicated amount of time each day and focusing that time on you can be the greatest gift you give to yourself.nnThe Internet offers a wealth of self development and self improvement opportunities. There is a wealth of information available. I use a system of self improvement that incorporates reading, audio and video programs on topics ranging from wealth and prosperity; to marketing; to self esteem, motivation and mindset. Learning and self development is part of a self development plan. The next part is incorporating that learning into life. With any educational program you have to sort through what is meaningful and what is not, for you.nnThe first step to self improvement is self love. It is perhaps the hardest love to achieve. Whitney Houston has a song “Learning to love yourself is the greatest love of all.” It’s so true. Loving yourself gives you the ability to really love others. It is hard to give what you do not have, yet people believe that they can love others without truly loving themselves. nnModeling self love and personal development are more powerful than telling people “they ought to”. Their observation of your practices of personal development can model for them how to achieve similar success. Self improvement makes us better people, we can then inspire other people, and then the rest of the world will follow.nnWhat areas of your life would you like to improve upon? Are there areas of personal development that you would benefit from? nnTake a moment and create your personal development plan. A plan you say? Yes, a plan. A personal development plan increases your commitment. But you are also working to change patterns of behavior and habits. This does not come easily. A dedicated plan can assist you in doing this. Start with 15 minutes a day of focused personal development time. Choose your daily topic and take the time to read, listen, watch, participate in a personal development activity. Then take 15 minutes to integrate what you have learned. The effect of focused personal development only impacts your life when you integrate your new learning into your daily practices. It is just a learning event or training event and then it is over. Where to start? Start with self love.