What is Personal Growth? How do we achieve it?

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Personal Growth is a commonly used phrase. But do we understand what it means? Why do we need personal growth and how do we achieve it?

As we come into this world, from the first day our learning starts. Each person’s learning is different, depending on the experiences one goes through on a daily basis. While at the earliest phase, the experience is based on how the parents take care of the baby, soon other family members, friends, caretakers, school teachers etc become the influencers.

This early stage learning defines how we see the world and ourselves.Later experiences keep adding to this learning or modifying it.

Having come into this world, how do we ensure we are satisfied and happy with where we are at any point of time? How do we understand the world around us in terms of not just the people we know, but even others, who could be examples of what to do or not to do in life?

How do we understand all the elements of nature and the deeper meaning of life, so that we set our own life goals and expectations accordingly?

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This journey of learning, understand, imbibing and implementing is the journey of personal growth and development.

What does personal growth mean?

Personal Growth, thus, in its ideal form, is our evolution as a human being, as we work to understand ourselves and the world around us; and build a life that provides true happiness and satisfaction. This process of evolution as a human being includes, evolving at different levels –

As an individual, seeking to understand one’s own life goals and working to derive full satisfaction from one’s own life journey.

As a person, relating with family, friends and strangers with satisfaction and happiness.

As a working professional, understanding oneself and others and working with all to manage the work and deliverables better.

As a parent, visualizing the future for the children, hand holding them in their own evolution and feeling happy and satisfied with their growth.

As a human, understanding meaning of life and the nature around us, gain spiritual wisdom, build empathy and respect for all.

Working to understand these in a structured manner and ensuring a holistic learning will need inputs from multiple sources. It could involve reading different literatures, talking to professionals who can provide insights or help us think through; and, observing the people and the world around us objectively.

What are the 5 points of personal development?

Personal Development involves developing skills and knowledge which enable one to achieve life goals and feel satisfied with life. These goals would include those in personal life as well as in professional life and are part of the personal growth journey.

There are many aspects that can be focused upon in the quest for personal growth. The five key areas of personal development are the following –

Self Awareness : It is the ability to understand oneself, one’s needs, strengths and limitations. It enables us to observe ourselves objectively as we take action, interact with others, react or withdraw within. This observation helps make necessary changes in order to bring improvements in our behaviour.

Mindfulness : It is the ability to be in the here and now; observe the situation and act accordingly. It is also the ability to effectively handle feelings, emotions and interactions in different situations in order to avoid unwarranted issues. Mindfulness also helps relate better with others, by becoming sensitive to their presence and their feelings and problems.

Relationship and Communication : This is the ability to manage relationships in personal and professional lives, to ensure peace and satisfaction, even as one strives to achieve life goals. Communication is key to the way we deal with ourselves and others.

Domain related skills and knowledge: Developing a good understanding of the domains in which one works, be it as a professional or as a homemaker. Whatever be our daily occupation, how good are we at managing it? The better understanding we have of this, be it some work at an organisation or the job of managing a household or being a partner, spouse or parent; the more satisfying our journey would be.

Strategy and Execution : Ability to visualize the way ahead, make plans to achieve goals and execute the plans efficiently. Having a vision builds the enthusiasm to move in one direction; designing an appropriate strategy and action plan, enables us to reach the destination as desired.

How to develop personal growth

Working towards personal growth needs the following –

Identifying one’s strengths and weaknesses as an individual – and working on one’s weaknesses or limitations in behaviour; be it in terms of one’s self esteem or in terms of one’s inter-personal skills. A mental health counsellor or psychotherapist could be the right person to help.

An assessment of one’s present situation- Defining long term goals, building clarity of the direction one needs to take to truly evolve. A professional coach or mentor could be a good help in thinking through.

Working on one’s weaknesses at the workspace – Be it as a working professional or a homemaker. Identifying the skills needed and getting formally trained or going self learning through videos helps.

Spending time in gaining knowledge about personal growth. This helps in opening one’s mind to the issues involved and the different angles from which these can be seen. Articles and films on different aspects of managing situations can help.