Why a Personal Growth Plan is Important

by  Cindia Carrere

Are you feeling a little angsty about something in your life?

Are you longing/itching for something to be different? Maybe you know what it is or can’t quite put your finger on it yet. . . . Don’t worry, you’re not alone!

Most of the things in your life are going pretty well, but you’ve got that ONE area where things could be better. . . .

If you’re feeling a little lost or unsure what’s next, you’re in luck! September is a double doozy for women interested in personal growth and achieving their dreams. 

For starters, September is National Self-Improvement Month. Yes, an entire month dedicated to taking stock of our lives and assessing where we're satisfied, and which areas could handle more fulfillment.

Perhaps you’re a little bored in your life.
Not enough meaning or purpose.
So used to pleasing others you’re not sure how to please yourself.

If so, the momentum builds to September 25th, which is World Dream Day! World dream day celebrates individuals who are transforming themselves and the world one dream, one goal at a time. It brings people together from all walks of life who've made a decision to create positive change in their lives and the lives of others.

A personal growth plan includes setting goals that have meaning for you and dedicating those efforts to making a difference in the world. It is a written document to track your progress. It contains development goals and an action plan designed to move you forward in areas of your life where you're stuck, unhappy, or want to improve. Personal growth plans are extremely popular with people who are serious about changing their lives for the better. They're much more powerful than just talking about change.

• Achieving new physical or mental skills
• Developing a deeper understanding of yourself and the world
• Overcoming fears and limiting beliefs
• Strengthening self esteem

If you would like to create a personal development plan for yourself, select a few areas in your life to focus on. What you put on paper should be specific, detailed, and time-sensitive. It should also be real, and only you can decide what's real and important to you.

It could be anything you'd like to change from spicing up your marriage to improving relationships with your family and friends. Fitting into your skinny jeans, having more cash flow, becoming a better communicator, playing better golf, having more fun, or whatever is calling to you right now. If you struggle with indecision or overwhelm, start with something that has "juice" for you and feels easy.

Start by asking yourself questions like these:

What have I been putting off that I know deep down I should do, or, What am I tolerating?

What do I wish I had the courage to try?

What aspect of my life do I want to improve?

What would I most like to change or be different?

The answers to the above questions will form the basis of your personal growth plan. Now it's time to break down that list and prioritize the items. Start with the ones you feel you can do the most easily and work your way through the list. Another way to approach your growth plan is to identify items that are foundational and require learning or doing first, and then build up from there.

Are you ready for something wonderful, more fulfilling?
Maybe it’s more time, more rest, or self-care.
Perhaps it’s more money, freedom, or adventure.
Still longing for more passion or romance? Do you want connection and engagement, to feel comfortable in your own skin and confident in who you are?

Getting to know yourself better is a HUUUUGE part of personal development and achieving your goals.

There are different types of "intelligences,” such as being word smart, musically inclined, or physically adept. However, there is one particular kind of intelligence that tends to be overlooked and underdeveloped and that is intrapersonal intelligence or being "self-smart."

For many people, self-awareness is a mysterious thing. They don't know themselves or put a high value on understanding what they're feeling and why they behave in certain ways.

Self-knowledge is gold. You, as a human being, are infinitely more than the sum total of your physical and mental abilities. You are, quite literally, a walking bundle of energy and information. Your true potential is enhanced by how much self-knowledge you have.

• Assessing what areas in your life aren't currently working for you
• Figuring out what you want
• Attracting what you desire
• Designing a life you love
• Becoming aware of your limiting beliefs and what's holding you back
• Understanding your emotions, motivations, and behaviors
• Knowing your strengths and shadow side
• Recognizing your contribution to both positive and negative events/relationships
• Knowing your boundaries and perimeters
• Taking care of your own needs and asking for help
  
• Being responsible for your actions and how you feel

Discomfort and pain are signals to grow, not suffer. Anything that pushes you to grow beyond your own limitations is an opportunity to expand your capacity for joy, love, success, contribution, and abundance. 

That's why creating a personal growth plan dovetails so beautifully with goal setting. By reaching for the goal, you add to your skill set, expand your thinking, surpass your own limitations, overcome obstacles and your own objections, resolve inner conflict and contradictory beliefs. You become resolved and aligned. You gain confidence, you fall in love with yourself and your life.

As you get closer to your goal, you're improving yourself and the world at the same time. Now that's a win-win!  

The Living Vision Board is a Whole Life Practice that zeros in on what matters most to you. It comes with an action plan template, or what we call a Living Vision Blueprint, to help you quickly manifest what you desire.