Showing posts with label Mini-Challenge. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mini-Challenge. Show all posts

Sunday 5 June 2022

Why Personal Growth Matters

 

How much time have you dedicated to your personal development in the past year? Six months? Week?

 

Unfortunately, society trains us to put other things first, like education and careers. We’re not downplaying their value in life. We just want to point out the importance of taking the time to invest in our self-improvement.

 

Today, we’re talking about all the reasons why personal growth matters. As you’ll find out below, it makes up a huge chunk of your life as a whole, no matter how old you are.


So, let’s get started.

 

What Is Personal Growth?

 

Working on accomplishing things in life, setting goals, and achieving them—that’s personal growth. It starts with the drive to do and be better.

 

Even before that, you have to start with a positive mindset. That helps boost your resilience and keeps you going, even when things don’t go your way.

 

The beauty of personal growth is that it’s subjective. It’s different for everyone, like success.

 

Some people define being successful as having a happy, healthy family. Others define it as having a career, maybe having more money than they know what to do with.

 

Even though personal growth is a bit more elusive, it’s all improving as an individual. This can be polishing up your education or refining your temperament. Whatever it is you’re seeking out in life, that’s your personal growth journey.

 

Because it’s so diverse and covers so many aspects, it goes by several names, including:

 

  • Self-improvement
  • Personal development
  • Self-growth
  • Self-help

 

Why Does Personal Growth Matter?

 

Now that we understand what personal growth is, you can see how it can have a positive effect on someone. Then, without even trying, that person will motivate others to work harder and do better.

 

So, personal growth isn’t a solitary journey. Yes, you do the hard work. Yet, you reap so many rewards that you quickly realize it was all worth it.

 

Working on developing you as a person will help you in various aspects of your life. You’ll shine at work and you’ll notice people will start to praise your accomplishments.


You’ll also grow into a more compassionate and loving person. Listening and being attentive will come naturally. You’ll feel good about yourself, and you’ll make others feel good as well.

 

How to Start Your Personal Growth Journey

 

Empathy and positive thinking are two traits we seem to lose over the years. Personal growth can help you regain them back.


Here are some of the things you can do to begin achieving personal growth.

 

Set Short-Term Goals

 

One of the first steps towards personal growth is setting and achieving short-term goals. When creating goals, keep the following in mind:

 

  • Make your goals realistic
  • Divide long-term goals into several short-term ones
  • Write each goal on a Post-It and hang it on your desk or bathroom mirror
  • Recognize and accept your strengths and weaknesses
  • Treat yourself to something nice every time you complete one of your goals

 

Keep Learning

 

We’re never too old to learn. Keep an open mind and take a step out of your comfort zone, and you’ll find fascinating things to learn about.

 

Ask any entrepreneur, and they’ll tell you they never stop learning. Their fascination with the world is what keeps them a step ahead of everyone else.

 

The trick is to find something that piques your interest. In this day and age where everything is evolving so quickly, there’s no shortage of that!

 

Find Your Purpose

 

What makes you happy? Find what makes you giddy with happiness, aka your purpose in life.

 

Each one of us has something that drives them and sets them apart from everyone else. Just find what you want and go after it.

 

Even if you don’t know much about it, you can always learn. Thanks to modern-day technology, there are plenty of options to choose from.

 

Wake Up Early

 

Having healthy sleep patterns will regulate your physical, emotional, and mental states. You’ll feel more energized and ready to tackle the day that lies ahead.

 

Studies show that people who make a habit of waking up early are healthier, happier, and more productive. It may take some time to get used to, but, once you do, you’ll never go back!

 

Read More

 

Many of us have given up on reading, thanks to our ever-present smartphones. You have to start the habit of reading each day, even if you read one blog a day.

 

Acquiring knowledge is extremely satisfying. You feel competent and just plain good. In a nutshell, reading is one of the easiest and most satisfying ways to boost your self-confidence and enhance your personal growth.

 

Practice Self-Acceptance

 

Knowing what your talents and skills are, is a vital part of self-acceptance. It’s also just as important to recognize the areas where you’re not as strong.

 

Be confident in what you’ve accomplished and forgive yourself for any past mistakes. That’s the first step to accepting who you are and fully realizing your true worth.


We’re all here for a reason. Take the time to find out what yours is.

 

A Final Note

 

Understanding why personal growth matters is like understanding the secret of the universe. It can mean the difference between being happy, hopeful, and feeling dejected and lost.

 

Well, of course no one wakes up saying, “I want to be miserable.” It requires hard work and dedication.

 

You have to have a positive outlook and accept yourself for who you truly are. Only then can you unlock your true potential, which I have no doubt, will be amazing!



Reasons You Should Actively Seek to Improve Your Mood


There are many reasons why you should actively seek to improve your mood. The most obvious is to feel good about yourself.

 

Other reasons are probably not as obvious to you. Although, they’re pretty obvious to your mental and physical health.

 

Let’s talk about some of these reasons and how they can influence everything that goes on in our lives.


Improve Your Mental Health

 

Your mental wellness affects your thoughts, feelings, and behavior. It helps reduce stress, as well as help you cope with challenges and setbacks.

 

Having strong mental health doesn’t mean the absence of anxiety, fears, and worries. Going through difficult times is a natural part of living.

 

Yet, when you’re in good shape mentally and emotionally, you bounce back faster. You have the tools needed to face all these things head-on with confidence and resilience.

 

Being resilient means you stay flexible and focused when life throws you a curveball. You have confidence in your abilities to deal with whatever the future has in store.

 

Here are some extra perks that come when you boost your mental wellbeing and improve your mood.

 

  • You have a sense of contentment with life in general
  • You maintain a hearty dose of confidence and self-esteem
  • You see opportunities where others see none
  • You enjoy living and can laugh at yourself
  • You balance work and play
  • You build healthy relationships

 

Polish Up on Your Social Skills

 

We’re social creatures. We thrive when we feel connected to others.

 

This doesn’t mean we have to be surrounded by people all the time every day. It just means that our brains crave companionship in varying degrees.

 

Yes, you can always call or text. They certainly have their place and time in our busy, hectic lives.

 

Still, nothing beats the mood-boosting power of sitting down with family or friends. That quality face-to-face time is priceless.

 

You sit, you talk, and you listen — pretty basic right? But for your brain, it’s revolutionary!

 

Here’s why: studies show that our brains are wired for connectivity. Certain areas of our brains light up when we do volunteer work or spend some time with a friend.

 

Not only that, but the brain rewards us for being socially outgoing. It does so by signaling the release of two happy hormones, oxytocin, and serotonin. So, by being out with your partner, friends, or even colleagues, you’re actively seeking ways to improve your mood.

 

You should also make the most of those fleeting encounters you have with strangers each day. Make a point of looking your neighbor in the eye as you wish them a good day.

 

Look up from what you’re doing and take a couple of seconds to thank the barista or the cashier. You can even add a smile to go with it.

 

Despite taking mere seconds out of your day, those little acts of kindness are terrific mood boosters. They’ll do wonders for your day and theirs!

 

Stay Fit

 

The link between the mind and body is complementary. When you take care of your physical health, you’re nourishing your mental well-being.

 

Anytime you exercise for at least 20 minutes, your brain releases endorphins. These are one of the four happy chemicals that help stabilize your mood and boost energy levels.

 

Regular physical activity also has a big impact on your memory and concentration. Plus, it relieves stress and promotes better sleep.

 

The trick is to find an activity you like and do it several times a week. Take a walk, cycle, throw a Frisbee with your dog—the point is to enjoy what you’re doing.

 

Better still, find a group of friends and be active in a group. This will hold you accountable, boost your motivation, and improve your mood.

 

Regulate Stress Levels

 

Almost everyone on the planet knows by now that stress is a major problem. It affects our mental, emotional, and physical well-being.

 

We also know that stress can’t be avoided, especially in this busy day and age. However, certain stress management strategies can help regulate stress in your life.

 

These tactics allow you to cope with life’s ups and downs. They allow you to improve your mood and feel good about yourself.

 

Here are some things you can do to reduce your stress:

 

  • Enhance the quality of your sleep
  • Eat mood-enhancing foods, such as fresh fruits, fatty fish, nuts, avocados, and beans
  • Practice relaxation techniques, like mindful meditation, yoga, and deep breathing
  • Make time for yourself and do something you enjoy
  • Find somewhere to sit at a local park and soak in some sunshine
  • Laugh more