Defining Development

Personal Development is a conscious effort to develop skills for life.

A process that for many is a life-long journey of discovery and growth, the common thread that underpins our modern view of personal development is a desire to take positive action.

While the specific objectives (what we want to achieve) and the particular format (how we go about achieving it) take many forms, those of us committed to personal growth often share an interest in:

• clarifying our life purpose
• defining our personal goals
• creating an action plan
• building support networks
• sharing our life’s lessons and achievements

Personal Development Myths

1. Personal development is about fixing your “issues”

The assumption that personal development is about “fixing” a problem or issue does not recognise the element of continual improvement implied in the word “development”. For most, the personal development process is ongoing, during which the workshops, discussions and programs are the physical milestones of a life-long journey.

2. Personal development is about getting a better job or social life

The focus of personal development is less about improving your finances or appearance or relationships and more upon developing the skills to remain positive and effective, irrespective of whether money, look and friendships are on the rise or in decline.

Words like resilience, confidence and happiness are central to the quest for personal development, as they are viewed as the foundation to successful lives.

3. Personal development is for people who are lost and looking for something to fill the void

A shared belief within the personal development community is that becoming comfortable in your own skin is an essential part of life’s journey.

Rather than being “lost,” most advocates of personal development are very focused, with a clear and open approach to the improvement opportunities they encounter.

The Four Development Categories

The reality is that there are as many forms of personal development as there are individual journeys of exploration and growth.

To bring some structure to the process of defining the personal development resources that best meet your needs, we have drawn some broad and often overlapping parameters around four key areas of development.

They are:

1. Personal Wellness Helping you to become aware of and to practice healthy choices to create a more successful and balanced lifestyle.

2. Career Development Helping you to progress at work, widening or improving your knowledge and skills, leading to greater responsibility, prestige and higher income.

3. Personal Productivity Helping you to achieve your goals, resulting in both the desired outcome and a sense of accomplishment.

4. Interpersonal Skills Helping you to develop the attitudes and behaviours that enable more effective communication and relationships with others.