To implement the following, we must first understand what self-development is, who needs it and why!
- What is self-development?
According to the Oxford dictionary, it is the process by which a person’s character or abilities are gradually developed. Keywords are gradually developed. This translates into steady potentially small steps towards bettering our character or our skills/abilities.
- Who needs it?
Everybody. There is no perfect human being! We may be content with who we are and what we can achieve. However, when we accept that we are indeed not perfect and take constructive criticism (even from ourselves) there are so many areas in which to improve.
I am a firm believer that as humans, we strive when we are constantly evolving. To evolve, we must accept that we can first!
- Why self develop?
- To hone our skills in a specific field (e.g. increase vocabulary, be more patient, enhance our problem-solving skills)
- To learn more things. Socrates “I am the wisest man alive, for I know one thing, and that is that I know nothing.”
- To become a better person for those around me. Being able to help more, be more patient and listen more carefully could mean the world to people close to you and will have a direct positive impact on your life.
- And lastly, If you are not growing, one can say you are slowly dying!
- How do I self-develop?
Consciously change or add new behavior/habits to your routine. Where can you find such tips for change? Take tips from a book, YouTube video, your favorite podcast or blogger. Take something you believe would change you for the better and start implementing it!
Here’s a list of things you can work on:
- Embrace change. Change in all formats can be stressful. Learn how to accept it easily by reading a book (I’d recommend, ‘Who Moved My Cheese? by Spencer Johnson) or watch a TEDtalk on change!
- Start active listening. Learn to pay attention and demonstrate to others that you truly value their opinions.
- Stop procrastinating! Production enemy number 1. Stop living in your mind and start doing.
- Read more and more often! There are a gazillion books on self-development areas from learning new how-to skills to tapping into your unconscious mind. Which book first? Just pick one! (I’d recommend reading a couple of reviews but just start)!
- Start being more open to constructive criticism. This is a big one as it implies we lower our ego first.
What else do you think you can work on and how?
Fotis
