How To Make Personal Development Part of Your Routine
Personal development is all the rage these days. Whether you’re running your own business, overcoming a major hurdle in your life, or trying to be the best mom to your children, there is a personal development book that can help you to grow in the direction you wish. But the question is – How do I get started and how do I, as an already busy person, make personal development into a routine that can fit into my busy days?
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My personal development journey started a few years ago and since then, I have found some tools and tricks that have made incorporating personal development effortless. Here are my 4 tips to integrate personal development into your daily life no matter how busy you are.
Podcasts, anyone?
If you’re like me and you have a commute to work, sometimes the morning talk show gets a little old. Turning on a podcast in the car is a great way to get your brain turning in the morning and to squeeze some personal development into your day. I find that a morning podcast helps to shape my day into something more positive by giving me a specific focus. I once listened to a podcast on creating a timeline for your day in the morning, and by noon my entire to-do list was complete! I listen for free on Apple’s Podcast app as well as with my monthly membership to Audible. There are many free video podcasts to be found on YouTube, although I wouldn’t recommend them for your car! With Podcasts and Audible, you can download before you go so that you won’t be streaming data in the car.
Set a Scheduled Time
You’re busy, I get it. I am too. The best way to set yourself up for success in a new routine is creating a schedule. Whether you will read from a paperback or listen to an audio file, setting a specific time and even a specific space where that will happen is key. Put it into your calendar, maybe even onto your phone with an alert to remind you and make sure that you honor it! It takes 30 days to make a habit and only 3 months to ingrain that habit into a part of your lifestyle!
Make it a Non-Negotiable
I remember in school there were “non-negotiables”. Probably something like no interruptions, raise your hand, etc. This created an environment where we could feel free to learn and grow. If you want to create an environment where you can feel free to learn and grow, you need to decide what your non-negotiables will be. I believe your personal development should be one of them. Once your schedule is set up, let the people you love know that Wednesdays and Fridays at 5:00pm you will be taking some time for yourself each week. Request that the scheduled time be respected and maybe even that your loved ones remind you to take your time. You will always find an excuse if you don’t make it a point not to.
Find a Community
I originally got into personal development through a company that I was part of. Having a group of friends who were focused on the same goals as I was made it a great community for finding the best personal development, talking about it, making recommendations, attending webinars and seminars, you name it. Your workplace or company may not have the same personal development focus, but you can most likely find a personal development driven group somewhere in your life, be it on Facebook, at your local community center or church, or amongst your friend group. You could even be the leader!
If you follow these 4 steps, I am confident that you will be able to build a strong and consistent habit of personal development and see growth in the areas in which you wish to grow. You deserve this, so let yourself have it.
Keep Track of your Personal Development progress with this simple Habit Tracker. Just color in a box for each day that you complete 10 minutes or more of personal development reading/listening.
Download the habit tracker above to Build a new habit in 30 days!
