There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be a better person than you are. Millions of books are written every year on the topic of personal development and self improvement. Unfortunately if you read even a fraction of those books you’d soon realise that with every different author or expert on self improvement comes a different theory and methodology to becoming the person you want to be.
One thing most experts agree on is the need for a development plan. As with just about everything else in life, having a plan can help you plot where you’re going and track your progress along the way.
Find the Focus
It’s great to have a plan but your plan needs to be focused. When you think of bettering yourself, you need to think in terms of what needs improving. Are you trying to build on skills you already have? Maybe you’ve dabbled with photography or creative writing but you’ve never honed in on those talents. Make a clear statement on what your focus is before working up the rest of the plan. Your statement will be the guiding force for which you build upon.
It’s unrealistic to think that you can simply say “I want to get in shape” if that is your focus. Be as specific as possible. Narrow your focus so that you have a clear idea on what you’re improving upon. If it is easier, think of your statement as a “mission statement”; something you want to accomplish.
Mapping out the Steps
If you haven’t already, begin writing down the steps you think you will need to take. By listing the steps, even the smallest of steps you need to take, you are better able to keep the focus where it needs to be. If a step seems too large or you realise that it can be broken down, go for it. In the long run, well placed steps and plotting will help improve or build the skills you stated in your focus.
While you are listing your steps to success, include what you’re going to use to get from one point to the next. Valuable resources such as classes, books, audio and/or even visual aids should be noted as well. They are a part of the process and while you may be able to complete the plan without them, it may be close to impossible.
Tracking Progress
With each step you complete, journal your progress in some way. Whether that step was a success or you needed to repeat it, every part of the plan is an opportunity to learn, and that is what self improvement and development is all about; learning about yourself and discovering new things. Keeping tabs on how well you are doing allows you to analyse what’s working in the plan and what isn’t. It may be necessary to re-evaluate the plan if you get stuck or your plan shows that some things may need changing before you can continue.
As you progress, it is beneficial to set up a serious of milestones to reach. The tracking and record keeping of your development plan can tell you if you are on your way to the milestones you set for yourself.
Don’t Go it Alone
Sometimes the best boost you can give yourself is the feedback of someone you trust; a friend or advisor that can be honest with you as well as constructive in the advice they provide. This person should also serve as a motivator when you get stuck or feel like you want to give up.
Keep in mind you want someone who is going to be positive for you. Constrictive criticism can be hard to hear from time to time but it should never be negative. Checking in regularly with your advisor and seeking out their advice when you are faced with a challenge can make all the difference in your success. They are a means of support as well as accountability when it comes to carrying out your personal development plan.
Self improvement doesn’t come overnight. While you should have a clear date for when you want your plan complete, expect that pitfalls and challenges will arrive. The goal of the development plan is to focus on what you want to change and make it happen.
Once you’ve completed your personal development plan, reward yourself in a way that highlights what you’ve achieved. You may have discovered that in working through your plan that things needed to be changed or that you’ve discovered new skills you would like to focus on developing. Self improvement shouldn’t stop because you’ve met your plan. Create new plans and in each one think about where you’ve been, where you want to go and how you will get there and then make it happen!
Recommended Reading
For more information and advice on personal development, take a look at the following books:
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
Personal Development All-in-One for Dummies
Discover Yourself: A Personal Development Workbook
Napoleon Hill’s Keys to Success: The 17 Principles of Personal Achievement
Personal Development for Smart People: The Conscious Pursuit of Personal Growth
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