14 Ways to Personal Development

Over the years I’ve come a long way from not wanting to know very much to becoming a human sponge.  One of the areas I concentrate on frequently is personal development.

Personal development is one of those areas that allows us to increase our value and turn our lives around.

As I’ve been working on personal development, I found it to be an invigorating process. I enjoyed learning and taking in a variety of skills so much that I become an information junkie.

The thing is, I didn’t just let it end there. I took what I learned and applied it. If it was about prospecting, I implemented it. If it was about being more positive, I implemented it. If it was about the psychology of our mind, I implemented it.

No matter what it was, I knew I had to implement it. Otherwise I would consider it a waste of my time if I didn’t implement it and share it with others.

With the variety of methods of personal development, here are 14 ways I work on personal development.

1. Trade magazines – getting the latest in what others are doing paints a picture for you in what you may be missing out on.
2. Online forums – by getting on the forums in your industry, you surround yourself with other successful driven people. It’s a good way to improve yourself.
3. Audio programs – whether it’s for inspiration or to enhance any of your skills, audio programs is great for on the go.
4. Webinars – this is one is pretty flexible and allows you to watch and learn as if you’re at a live event.
5. Public speaking events – at events like these, sometimes hearing people’s success stories inspires you and also gives you some great new ideas on what to do differently.
6. Seminars – by attending seminars or giving seminars, this allows you to expand your personal development mindset because you may need a little “pick me up” to get you back and going again.
7. Conventions – this one you get to hear straight from the horses mouth in what other successful people are doing and learn from them.
8. Online video courses – I found by watching online video courses, the process to engage you is like on the job training which is very valuable.
9. Video and audio courses – this one is great because you can learn step by step what to do and also listen to others successes. It’s really hands on that makes this very effective for personal development.
10. Podcasts – I love being able to take things on the go and listen to the messages on my iPod.
11. Books – this one has seemed to not only help my reading skills and comprehension but it brings a sense of awareness in what’s going on in the industry or any area I’m particularly interested in learning more about.
12. Mentoring – by learning from those who have done it, I use this way to take action based on their experience.
13. Inspiration videos – this one helps you get out of a “funk” and procrastination.
14. Trade shows – this one I use to see what others in my trade are up to. This one gives me an idea of what I may need to be aware.

Ever single one of these inspire me. They inspire me to develop my skills and improve what I’m putting out to the world.

My favorite ones that quickly inspire me are audio programs by Nightingale-Conant and a variety of inspiration videos. By learning from other people’s experience makes it seem more real and provides me with a feeling of instant gratification.

“If we all did the things we are capable of, we would astound ourselves.” – Thomas Edison

This is why I love personal development. Personal development opens up our minds in what we are really capable of.

So, no matter where you find works best for you, be sure you’re committing time to personal development because the more you do this, the more capable you will become.

How do you pursue personal development? Have you used any of the areas like we revealed above?

Join in on the conversation and give us your take on personal development.

Jerome Ratliff