4 Tips to Improved Personal Development
There are thousands of guides online that talk you through the process of professional development, teaching you exactly what you need to get that promotion or seek out a change in career. However, personal development is not spoken about as often despite the fact that it is equally important.
After all, personal development often means that you feel more confident and comfortable in your own skin, meaning that you can tackle any problems that may come your way. It can also help you navigate your way through a difficult headspace or move on from things that have happened in the past.
With that in mind, here are some easy and straightforward ways in which you can begin to focus on personal development.
- Surround yourself with the right people. Sometimes we hold on to certain friendships and relationships because they are comfortable or familiar even though they might not work for us. For example, if you spend time with a person who constantly puts you down, your own perspective of yourself will likely become more negative or critical. Therefore, you can work on being kinder to yourself by spending time with the right people, those who help you become the best version of yourself.
- Challenge your mindset. We are all guilty of negative thoughts regarding ourselves from time to time, but we must challenge these thoughts and ideas whenever they sneak up on us. Try to think about what has made you feel that way as opposed to allowing the negativity to consume you. Find new ways to boost your self-confidence so that you can begin to counter negative thoughts with positive ones. Basically, now is the time to become your own best friend and biggest champion!
- Take inspiration from others. When it comes to personal development, you may feel as though this is a journey you need to take alone. However, this is not the case. You can learn a lot about yourself by drawing on inspiration and guidance from others, whether that means you read books or guides or simply start talking more candidly to the people in your life. Seek out the people whose positivity inspires you. For example, you can check out websites such as this one by Richard Spanton Jr which encourages positivity, more positivity, and happiness every step of the way.
- Love who you see in the mirror. Personal development is closely tied to self-acceptance, so it is essential that you start to feel more comfortable in your body. The first step towards this goal is to simply be kinder to yourself. Understand that everybody, even the models you see on television and social media, deals with some kind of insecurity. Furthermore, the flaws that you may obsess over will not matter to those who actually matter. Nobody will think any less of you based on how you look. Therefore, try to celebrate your quirks as opposed to running away from them. Unfollow any social media accounts that leave you feeling inadequate. Wear clothes that make you feel great, even if they are outside of your usual style.
Be present.
Be positive.
I have found time and again that great things happen when I venture to the other side of my comfort zone. We have to keep pushing and challenging ourselves throughout our lifetimes in order to always become better, brighter, bolder, more confident individuals.
How do you wear your confidence in the pursuit of personal development?
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.
Outfit Details: Poncho and Jeans-Torrid / Sweater-Old Navy / Tunic-Target / Hat-Wona Trading / Earrings-Old / Boots-Thrifted
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.
10 Comments
Nancy
I will keep these tips in mind when I’m feeling down. I hope you have a good weekend!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Nancy! They are pretty basic tips but I think we can all use a little reminder every once in a while. Have a fabulous weekend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Michelle
I’ve always thought my best growth occurred when I pushed myself outside of my comfort zone. What is the worst that can happen. You may find you were right and really don’t like whatever it was, but now you can speak from experience rather than supposition. On the other hand, your comfort zone may come to include new things.
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Michelle, I agree with this 100%! I think our best and biggest growth does happen when we get out of our comfort zone. I wrote a post a few years ago about what would happen if you went outside your comfort zone and were just plain old uncomfortable. My conclusion…nothing at all happens other than you feel uncomfortable and learned that whatever you just tried may not be for you! And that’s okay because life is all about how much we can learn about ourselves and others and just help one another be the best possible versions of ourselves.
xoxo
Shelbee
Sheila (of Ephemera)
A reminder that I often use when I find myself being hypercritical of myself (either appearance or anything else) is “Would you say that to a stranger?” We are so much harder on ourselves through self-talk than we would be to a stranger, or our friends or family. And yet, because we don’t say those words out loud, it somehow becomes acceptable to say them inside our heads.
I also remind myself that 99% of people really don’g give a flying f**k what I’m wearing, lol. Most people are in their own worlds. It has become more liberating to me as I get older to express myself through my clothes and to really just stop caring what other people think.
Great reminders to be kind(er) to ourselves, Michelle! Thank you. Also, you look smashing in salmon! Fab colour!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Sheila, thank you so very much! Everything you just said is basically the exact words and message that I used to preach to the high school kids when I coached them in swimming. Brilliant words of advice that I often forget to take myself! You are so correct, most people are completely self absorbed with their own insecurities that they are not paying attention to anyone else. Once we get ourselves to acknowledge that, it really is easier to just go about life and express ourselves in whatever unique ways we choose. And yes, we do need to be kinder to ourselves. We can’t rely on others to boost us up. That’s just silly. It has to all come from within!
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
So very true as my favorite poem (Man in the Glass) by Peter Dale Winbrow says ” The fellow whose verdict counts most in your life Is the one staring back from the glass.” That is something that have literally taken me a half-century to figure out and once I figured it out, it became such a freeing thing.
Love the outfit and background for your shoot.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Patrick! I will have to go check out the entire poem! It is so true, if we cannot look at ourselves in the mirror with pride in who we are, then we are really doomed in this world, aren’t we? Because there are not too many people who are going to do the same for us as we can and should do for ourselves! It is a very freeing revelation. I hope you are having a wonderful weekend!
xoxo
Shelbee
Michele Morin
I see the handwriting on the wall–aging is not for the faint of heart, but I am healthy and optimistic about the future and want to sustain a growth mindset!
I know that is your story as well.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
It definitely is my story as well, Michele! Thanks so much for phrasing it in such a beautiful way!
xoxo
Shelbee