Life is a journey, a highway of seemingly endless possibilities. How do we make the choices each day to live to our full potential? We all have dreams and ambitions, some we are pursuing, others slip away unfulfilled. An essential element to living a purpose driven life, is having a parent, a friend, a coach, a mentor and/or a great library to offer guidance and wisdom. A personal development strategy can help shorten your learning curve to allow you to achieve the success you desire.
I have always been an avid reader. Growing up in a small farm town in Indiana, there was not much to do, so I would escape into books. I dreamed of traveling the world, and doing something great with my life! Two days after my high school graduation, I began my life adventure by moving to Florida! While I was in my early 20’s, I met a gentleman who became my first mentor. He was a very successful business owner and encouraged me to Dream Big and gave me the book “The Greatest Salesman in the World” – this book equipped me with the motto “I will persist until I succeed” and I then began my own personal growth journey.
Several years later, someone gave me a CD by Jim Rohn. On the CD, Mr. Rohn asked the question “do you want more?” Yes, I said out loud, I want more…success, money, a better body, more travel, etc. His answer has changed my life! Jim continued, “if you want to have more… you have to BECOME more.” He said, “success is not a doing process, it is a becoming process. What you do, what you pursue, will allude you, it can be like chasing butterflies. Success is something you attract by the person you become.”
“Wow,” I thought. The simplicity and purity of his message grabbed my heart.
Jim continued, “for things to improve, you have to improve. For things to get better, you have to get better. For things to change, you have to change. When you change, everything changes for you.”
I truly believe that God has special plans and purposes for each and every one of us. These are the Dreams He places in our hearts. How can you become the person that will fulfill the Vision God has planned for you? Sometimes it is a good idea to review, build and reflect on our personal strengths and weaknesses and how we are going to improve on them. The Personal Growth process helps us to reflect on what we have achieved as well as helping us to set goals with clear steps on how to accomplish those goals and dreams.
The greatest investment you can make in life is in your own personal development. Becoming a person of value, prepares you for success! How much time, energy, effort and money do you invest in your own personal development? Self improvement is important, it has been said that we become the books we read, the people we listen to and the activities in which we participate in life. Success in life is a decision, you become what you decide.
Experience is important, as long as it is somebody else’s experience – this is called wisdom. Read a book! Do you know there are books written on how to build wealth, how to have better health, how to win friends, how to be a good parent, spouse, business owner, and how to succeed in life… and people don’t read them? I remember when I was pregnant with my first child, Nicolas, I read every book on expecting a baby, giving birth, and how to feed, bathe, and take care of babies, everything that I could get my hands on! Now, four kids later and a business owner, I’m reading books on “How to Have a New Kid by Friday”! and “The Business of the 21st Century!” LOL!
I believe you must take on the Leadership role of your life, if not you, then who? Is it possible to strategically design your life? YES! Listen to your heart and start today! We do have a choice, let life happen to us or create a life of purpose for us!
I invite you on such a journey - the journey of continuous personal development. The important thing is to Live your Best Life Now and to enjoy the Journey!
