Thursday, January 28, 2010

Personal Development and Self-Discipline are The Secret To Enjoying A Terrific Life!

Personal Development is achieved through self-discipline, which must remain consistent throughout your life. The secret of making life better is to make yourself better. Your knowledge and skills determine what you achieve and what you are able to share. You will get more and have more to share with the world only as you become more as a person.

Growth through personal development is a natural process that comes from pursuing whatever fascinates you. Discover what your special interests are and use your self-discipline to build your success on those passions. Find your future in the objects of your dreams. Become a person who attracts success.

Nothing will have more influence on your potential for success than the power of self-discipline. Discipline is the force behind forming good habits and good habits determine what we become as a result of personal development.

Be aware that every commitment to a constructive habit, every commitment to practice, and every good intention will be challenged by the seductive appeal of procrastination. Remember, "Procrastination is the art of keeping up with yesterday." A strong personal self-discipline holds the power to overcome procrastination.

Resolve to make personal development a life-long commitment. There is no facet of human conduct that cannot be improved by a disciplined program of personal development. Remember, you can improve the world by improving yourself. Your happiness is related to your growth as a person.

Finally, begin your personal development program with a focus on four important areas. You will find in each of these areas an unlimited potential for personal growth. Rely on your self-discipline to accomplish that which is most important and you will develop the needed skills to succeed at all your goals.

1. First, develop your people skills. Getting along with others involves changing yourself, making others feel important, and recognizing the fact that being able to interact well with others is essential to your success.

2. Second, work on your personal communication skills. There is much to learn and much to gain in developing effective speaking and writing skills.

3. Third, learn how to adapt to change. Make change your friend and ally and make your ability to adapt to change one of your secret strengths in achieving your goals.

4. And last, take an interest in the world around you. Make your concerns felt by becoming active in societal and environmental issues. We only enrich ourselves by enriching others. Be a responsible citizen who cares and contributes. Remember, you can make a difference.

To achieve and maintain true personal development use the power of your own self-discipline to follow through with the following life improving exercises:

1. Describe the more complete person you would like to become.

2. Cite three of your personal traits or aspects of performance you would like to improve. Outline the steps you must take to achieve improvement.

3. List two or three subjects or pursuits that fascinate you and that you would enjoy doing full-time for a living. Outline what steps you can take to make these activities your life's work.

4. Review the circumstances of a bad experience in your life, and list what you learned from the experience that will be helpful in your future progress.

5. Evaluate your progress in the following areas of personal performance, and outline how you can achieve personal development in each:

- Relations with other people
- Communications
- Adapting to change
- Improving the world

In concluding, let me remind you that the critical secret for improving your life and expanding your world lies in discovering your gifts and developing them to the fullest. Your future may be found in what you love to do most and doing it in a way that helps others.

I will leave you with a final thought: With self-discipline and a strong commitment to personal development, you can accomplish anything you want. Do not settle for less. You have the power and ability to make your life a masterpiece.

Contibutor: Howard Platt
Hi I am Howard G. Platt 111 and for the past 25 years I have committed myself to learning all I possibly could in the area of Personal Development. If you visit www.positive-thinking-for-you.com you will find an abundance of information on self-improvement and get a FREE eBook that I found to be very interesting.

Thursday, November 19, 2009

How To Not Let A Larger Than Life Ego Ruin Potential Success

If you have ever heard the age old advice that showing a little humility can go a long way, do not make the mistake of underestimating its validity. Ask anyone for an example of someone in the public eye whose potential was sidetracked in to oblivion by their arrogance or blind ambition, and you can be assured of an abundance of candidates for the list. Here are some of the reasons to maintain an ego that is both confident and in check with reality.

If you happen to be a fan and admirer of young and promising talent, then more likely than not, you had to have heard the rage over Danyl Johnson out of Great Britain. Danyl was the latest in a line of talented performers to capture headlines here in the United States and worldwide with his recent humble and magnificent performance from across the Atlantic on Britains popular X-Factor program.

If you were not able to have actually witnessed his stellar performance, what captured the fancy of the reality talent shows judges, including the controversial Simon Cowell, were not only Danyls obvious vocal talents, but his sheer humble attitude and appreciation for having the spotlight opportunity that very few will ever have. Sure, many more star struck wannabees than we can sometimes stomach get the chance of performing before millions; and, although quirky and talent lacking auditionees make for good television, it is the truly talented and grounded performers like Mr. Johnson that ultimately capture our fancy and garner the mass majority of our votes in the end.

The same human response exists in the corporate world, in our schools, and in just about any environment where human beings interact. We often find ourselves observing what can be considered cutthroat and ego-driven traits of fellow associates, classmates, and even family members at times, recognizing that their selfish behavior is not endearing them to anyone in the long run but maybe themselves.

What does endear talented performers, employees, or even our work superiors to those around them, is a humanistic and grounded approach to the social environment we call life. Whether our efforts are driven by financial, spiritual, or yes, even ego-centric needs, ultimately the respect for others and appreciation for our fortunes will build a greater legacy for all of us, whether in the public eye or not.

Sure, it may be difficult sometimes for those who encounter great success to keep their egos and view of reality in check, but the longer term rewards and respect from the world around us will have a longer lasting and more positive effect on their lives.

Contributor: Village Artisan
Stephen Baird is the founder and well renowned villagescape artisan of highly detailed custom Harvest and Christmas villages for commercial Christmas decorating displays. A prolific writer, Stephen also co-publishes and writes most of the inhouse content for http://www.showcasetoideas.com, a platform where crafters, decorators, and garden hobbyists can showcase their work.

Saturday, October 17, 2009

Personality Traits & Personal Growth - Understand Your Temperament To Accomplish Life Goals

No two people are exactly alike. Even identical twins can have very different personalities, and different definitions of happiness and success. Each of us has a unique temperament; a set of personality traits that reflect our attitudes, values and talents. Temperament is the interaction of communication and action what we say and what we do. Tapping into these traits, and the traits of others, can help to improve personal relationships, find a dream job, and accomplish life goals. Whether striving for financial success or looking for a soul mate, recognizing unique qualities, shortcomings and strengths is a valuable tool. This self awareness inspires personal growth and improves relationships with others.

Through extensive research of human behavior, we identified mankind's four basic temperaments as the Artisan, the Guardian, the Rational, and the Idealist. Which one fits your personality? Are you a loyal, cautious Guardian, on whom everyone relies to keep things running smoothly? A free-spirited Artisan, living in the moment and believing anything is possible? Or a warm-hearted Idealist, who prizes meaningful relationships and seeks self awareness? You may even be that rarest of temperaments, a Rational. Making up as little as 5 percent of the population, a Rational personality thrives on analyzing how systems work, then striving to make them work better. Influential thinkers such as Albert Einstein, Marie Curie and Walt Disney may be rare, but they are fearless innovators.

Communication style is determined by temperament, influencing both professional and personal relationships. A Concrete Communicator is most comfortable discussing tangible reality; family, home, facts and figures. An Abstract Communicator is always asking, Why? or What if? If this describes your personality traits, you are more concerned with theories, philosophies and possibilities. In short, Concrete people talk about reality, Abstract people talk about ideas.

Temperament also dictates actions; how we overcome challenges and accomplish goals. Again, there are two distinct types of actions. The efficient Utilitarian personality doesn't get bogged down by rules and paperwork; he makes a pragmatic beeline for those actions that get results. The Cooperative personality is more concerned with right and just behavior; an action's effectiveness is secondary.

These two behaviors can overlap, certainly, but as they lead their lives, Utilitarian people instinctively do what works; Cooperative people do what's right. Recognizing the difference is key to self awareness.

As Concrete Cooperators, Guardians speak of duties and responsibilities. They obey laws and follow the rules. Concrete Cooperators prize experience; they know what worked in the past, and see no reason to fix what is not broken.

As Abstract Cooperators, Idealists speak mostly of possibilities, always trying to reach their goals without compromising a personal code of ethics.

As Concrete Utilitarians, Artisans speak of things that are in front of them, doing whatever works, even if it means bending the rules.

As Abstract Utilitarians, Rationals are problem solvers who might ignore arbitrary rules and conventions in order to achieve a goal.

About the Author:
David M. Keirsey, PhD is an Educational Psychologist specializing in human behavior; his lifelong work focuses on four distinct patterns of behavior woven throughout history. The subject of two international bestsellers, The Keirsey Temperament Theory has been used to train educators, psychologists, a number of Fortune 500 companies and even the U.S. military.

Saturday, October 10, 2009

Understanding Personal Growth

I want everyone to be free of constraints and conditioning, whether cultural, environmental or societal. When this happens, people will live with joy, love, gratitude, and abundance. When people engage fully in a Personal Growth journey they experience a new sense of freedom and purpose that they never had before.

Personal Growth is, at its core, about nurturing the growth of an individual. We are holistic beings with a mind, body, and spirit. We live in a world where we are increasingly challenged to draw upon our full potential. Personal Growth helps us to rise to the occasion—to become all that we may be and adapt to the lightning-speed changes in society.

Personal Growth and Spiritual growth are very intertwined. As Teilhard de Chardin said, We are not human beings having a spiritual experience. We are spiritual beings having a human experience. Is it an innate force that propels us forward to engage in life and everything around us? Some say the force is God, the Universe, the Divine Spirit, or something else. For me, it is the Spiritual that both moves and defines us. Personal Growth is the connection to that innate power, which allows an individual to grow and live life to the fullest.

Many people are not aware or do not understand what Personal Growth is. I believe one of the core reasons is because it is called by so many names. Personal Growth may also be known by: self help, personal development, self-improvement, new age, and many others.

In my opinion, once we choose a name for the concept of the growth of an individual, even more people will understand what’s possible for them and the world. I feel that Personal Growth is the best name.

Personal Growth is a solo journey and one you don’t have to embark on alone. Even though you take the journey yourself, others are working on their journey as well. When we support each other everyone grows exponentially.

For me, Personal Growth is a way of life – a way of being, thinking, feeling, and acting. It begs the questions: What do you think about during the day? How do you feel most of the time? How proactive are you in life? To what level are you playing in life? Who are you?

We are creatures of habit. Have you been thinking, feeling, or acting in a certain fashion for too long and want to break with old patterns? By fully embracing Personal Growth and taking action to change, you can transform your life and start thinking, feeling, and acting in brand new ways.

About author: Manny Goldman
Manny Goldman is the founder and the visionary force behind PersonalGrowth.com. His vision is to create a community through PersonalGrowth.com that will transform the lives of billions of people. A community where it is normal for each person to share in each others’ successes, provide valuable support, encouragement and accountability. He envisions a world where Personal Growth is common practice and each person living their dreams to their full potential. http://www.personalgrowth.com

Thursday, September 10, 2009

The Power of Personal Growth

The Power of Personal Growth explores what Personal Growth is, illustrates its value and demonstrates what’s possible for you, your loved ones and the world at large.

The book offers an inside view of the impact Personal Growth has had on the 56 people who contributed to the book. You’ll discover what Personal Growth means to them, the impact it has had on their lives, what they envision is possible for themselves and the world, and wisdom they live by that makes all the difference for them.

The interviews represent collectively hundreds of years of experience of Personal Growth. I’m grateful to those who have opened up and generously shared their journey—the stories offer pearls of insights that you, the reader, may take pleasure in while reading The Power of Personal Growth.

There are several ways to read this book. First, you may choose to read the book from cover to cover - starting at the beginning and reading straight through to the end. This will provide you with a great overview of the impact Personal Growth can have on your life.

Second, you may choose to read the book in sections, specific chapters, story topics, or read only what particular individuals have to say. If you prefer to read selectively, you will find an index in the back of the book that will help you navigate the content.

Third, you may opt to read random pages. Have fun with it! Every page is filled with insights and wisdom that will positively impact your life.

I recommend that you explore all the options and allow the insights and lessons in this book to become fully integrated into your life. I also invite you while reading to write down those insights, action items, and a-ha moments at the end of each chapter on the lines provided.

The Power of Personal Growth is a book to re-read throughout your Personal Growth journey. As you grow and evolve, you will continually discover new nuggets of wisdom that speak to you at one point in your life or another.

About the Author:
Manny Goldman is the founder and the visionary force behind PersonalGrowth.com. His vision is to create a community through PersonalGrowth.com that will transform the lives of billions of people. A community where it is normal for each person to share in each others’ successes, provide valuable support, encouragement and accountability. He envisions a world where Personal Growth is common practice and each person living their dreams to their full potential. http://www.personalgrowth.com