essay on personal development

Personal Development: 9 Skills, Tips, and Examples

Why personal development is so important and how to improve yourself..

Posted June 7, 2020 | Reviewed by Gary Drevitch

I am obsessed with personal development because it's helped me completely change my life. Only 10 years ago, I had no connections, no money, and worked a minimum wage retail job. Now, I have a Ph.D. from Berkeley, am the author of a book on how to generate happiness in the technology age , and have created a variety of well-being-boosting programs . And it's all because I worked on developing myself. So how do you make personal development work for you?

Personal development can include any skill that you build to improve yourself—your emotions, thoughts, or behaviors. It doesn't really matter which skills you want to improve; the key to personal development is taking the right steps—steps that help ensure that you reach whatever goal you are pursuing.

Learn more from the video below:

What are the most important personal development skills? It really depends on what you're trying to achieve. But here are 9 that I have found to be important to successful personal development.

1. Start by figuring out which personal development skills you need to build. The first step in any personal development strategy is to figure out how to best use your time. It makes little sense to learn how to code if you don't plan to be a coder or to bench press 400 pounds if you don't plan to be a weight lifter. These can be hobbies, but personal development is more about building skills to reach your personal goals . So it's good to take some time to self-reflect. (If well-being is a goal of yours, take this well-being quiz to see which skills you need to build.)

2. Develop entrepreneurial thinking. Everyone can benefit from learning how to think like an entrepreneur, regardless of whether or not you are one. Why? Because entrepreneurs are innovative, good at planning for all possible outcomes, and skilled at getting others to buy into their vision or dream. And perhaps more importantly for personal development, they tend to be adaptable to all sorts of situations.

By developing entrepreneurial thinking, you better adapt to whatever your circumstances are so you can more easily achieve your goals, whether those goals are to start a business that makes a positive impact in the world , to set yourself up for an early retirement , or climb Mount Everest.

3. Develop a growth mindset . If we have a “fixed mindset,” we may shy away from challenges that could help us grow. But this can be problematic because our fear of making mistakes can lead us to avoid challenges and new experiences—experiences which would help us grow, improve ourselves in important ways, and create the life we desire.

If we have a “ growth mindset ” we seek out challenges because we value learning and growth more than we value feeling smart or knowing what we’re doing. That's why those with a growth mindset often build new skills more easily: They believe they can and so they really work at it.

4. Develop your self-soothing mechanism. High levels of stress are not only bad for our health and well-being, they can prevent us from effectively pursuing and achieving our self-development goals. By learning effective, long-lasting relaxation techniques , your body and mind will be more equipped to handle the inevitable challenges that arise when you're trying to develop yourself.

5. Develop resilience . Resilience is that super-important skill that helps you bounce back quickly after being knocked down. This is one of the most important skills for success because none of us will achieve anything if we don't keep trying when we fail. We can build resilience by improving skills like emotion-regulation , mindfulness , and positivity.

6. Develop your value compass. It's not always easy to live by our core values . But when we go through life without following our personal values, we can easily get lost. We may suddenly "wake up" and realize that we are not who we want to be or where we want to be. This is why it's so important to stay in alignment with our personal values.

What are your values? Perhaps: kindness, curiosity, creativity , hard work, or personal relationships. Define your personal values so you know which actions are in alignment with those values.

7. Create a personal development plan. A good personal development plan takes all these factors into consideration—the WHAT, the HOW, the WHY, and the WHEN. And it focuses on long-term goals . So ask yourself:

• What skills will you build?
• How will you build them?
• Why will you build them?
• And when will you build them?

It can be helpful to create a 10-year plan to map out how you'll reach these goals.

8. Record your progress towards personal development. Keeping track of our progress as we move toward our personal development goals is key to making sure we're on the right track. Then we can pause and take a different direction if we've gone off course. By maintaining self-awareness and frequently checking in with ourselves, we can identify things that we need to devote more attention to. As a result, we can make better progress toward our personal development.

9. Keep developing yourself in new ways. The science is clear: The more ways we develop ourselves, the broader our skillset, and the more success we tend to have. So try learning some new emotional skills or do some activities to build new skills. You just might learn something that changes your life.

Facebook /LinkedIn images: GaudiLab/Shutterstock

Tchiki Davis, Ph.D. , is a consultant, writer, and expert on well-being technology.

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Essays About Personal Growth: Top 5 Examples and 8 Prompts

If you’re writing essays about personal growth, our guide’s article examples and prompts will help stimulate your creative thinking.

Personal growth is looking at ways to improve yourself mentally, socially, spiritually, emotionally or physically. It is a process where we envision a better version of ourselves and strive to realize that ideal self. Personal growth demands the setting of personal goals and ensuring routine progress. The work toward personal development involves a great deal of hard work and discipline as we push our existing skills and strengths to a higher boundary while reducing our underlying weaknesses.  

Read our essay examples and prompts below to help you produce a rich and creative essay about personal growth.

5 Essay Examples About Personal Growth

1. is it really too late to learn new skills by margaret talbot, 2. i’ve completed hundreds of 30-day challenges. here’s what i’ve learned by tara nicholle-nelson, 3. i was a self-help guru. here’s why you shouldn’t listen to people like me by michelle goodman, 4. how to craft a personal development plan that inspires meaningful results by scott jeffrey, 5. personal development and the power of feedback by emily marsh, 10 prompts on essays about personal growth, 1. why is personal growth important, 2. take up a personal growth challenge, 3. your personal growth journey, 4. personal growth among successful people, 5. personal growth for leaders , 6. personal growth at work, 7. best personal growth books, 8. strong motivation for achieving personal growth.

“… [H]e decides to throw himself into acquiring five new skills. (That’s his term, though I started to think of these skills as “accomplishments” in the way that marriageable Jane Austen heroines have them, talents that make a long evening pass more agreeably, that can turn a person into more engaging company, for herself as much as for others.)

Learning new things may not be a cup of tea for those in their middle ages. To get out of established expertise, be looked down on as a novice, and push the brain to work double time may even be a dreary and intimidating process. , But Journalist Tom Vanderbilt, award-winning writers, and Nobel Prize recipients prove that satisfaction is worth it for personal growth and fulfillment. 

“I think of Challenges as self-directed projects to change my behavior or spark some personal growth or development I’m clear that I’d like to have. Sometimes I want a mindset shift or want to make (or break) a habit, or I just have a sort of big project I want to sprint to finish…”

Why are we so drawn to self-imposed challenges? For one, it’s a competition only between you and yourself, giving room for flexibility in the rules you set. It provides structure to your goals, chunks your bigger long-term self-growth goals into gradual and doable daily tasks, provokes a sense of self-accountability, and helps you focus your energy on what matters most. 

“Apparently, I learned, gurus are people too, even gurus lining the self-help shelves of friendly neighborhood bookstores. They aren’t infallible, all-knowing oracles above worrying about their generous muffin top or widening backside. They are businesspeople — businesspeople with books, keynotes, and openings in their consulting practice to peddle”

From abhorring gurus to becoming one and then hating the industry much more — this is the story of a self-help book author who realizes it was herself who needed the most advice for personal growth. But, as she creates a facade of a well-balanced life to establish her credibility, things turn dark, almost costing her life. 

“When entertainment, distraction, and workaholism consume our attention, something doesn’t feel right within us… To have a full and meaningful life requires us to open to more dimensions of ourselves. And a Personal Development Plan can help us do just that.”

Everyone strives for personal growth. But once we jump at it, some wrong ingredients may spoil the sense of fulfillment we expect. The right process involves navigating your potential, creating a larger vision, selecting areas to focus on, setting your schedule, and monitoring your progress. You might also be interested in these essays about motivation .

“Without feedback, we would learn very little about ourselves, in or out of work. The feedback process is like holding a mirror up to yourself; that’s why it can be uncomfortable at times. You have to be prepared to listen to and acknowledge whatever reveals itself.”

Hearing feedback is critical to personal growth. Negative feedback is constructive in losing our bad habits. However, purely positive feedback is non-progressive and dangerous if we only seek to affirm how we regard ourselves.

We can never be perfect. But we can always progress. In your essay, explain why nurturing a growth mindset in life is essential. What long-term benefits can you reap daily from wanting to be a better person? How does it affect the mind, body, and overall wellness? Answer these while citing studies that outline the essence of personal growth.

Take up any challenge you find exciting and feel up to. Then, write about your experience. If successful, offer tips to your readers on how one can prepare their body, mind, and discipline to stick to the goals. If you did not complete the challenge, don’t worry! Your failure can still be a learning experience that contributes to personal growth and is worth writing about. In addition, you can add what areas of yourself you would like to improve on if you ever take up the challenge again. 

Talk about your goals and your daily efforts to reach this goal. It could relate to acing a test, your sports team winning or professional success. Of course, there will be a handful of challenges in any journey toward a goal. What were the obstacles and distractions that tried to keep you off track? Share these with your readers and how you strived or are striving to conquer them.

When you see people already at the height of their careers, you’ll find some continuing to walk out of their comfort zones and reach for the next higher mountain. For this essay, explain the connection between striving for personal growth and success. Then, provide a list of everyday habits among successful people that others could consider adopting.

Leaders must adapt and address problems efficiently and decisively as they move through a fast-changing landscape. Elaborate on how the pursuit of personal growth helps leaders deliver in their enormous role in organizations, companies, and communities.

If you firmly believe that growth at work translates to personal growth, it would be less hard for you to get by at work. But this gets a bit more complex if your feel that your work is no longer satisfying your self-actualization needs and even limiting you. For this prompt, help your readers determine if it’s time to quit their job and continue their journey for personal growth elsewhere. If you want to address companies, offer recommendations enabling their employees to grow and have a vision for themselves. You may also suggest how managers can keep an open line of communication so that personnel can relay their self-development needs.

We all have that book that has given us a new kind of energy that made us feel and believe we can do anything if we put our heart into it. We keep these books close to our hearts, serving as a reminder of other bigger goals ahead of us when the going gets tough. Create a numbered list of the books that have captivated you and helped you realize your potential. Talk about the best quotes that struck the chord and the thought racing in your mind while reading them.

When you tap onto your inherent and external motivation for a much-needed push, it may be easier to turn bad moments into something that helps advance personal development plans. For your essay, explain how motivation can be a bridge to get you to your growth goals.

If you’re still stuck, check out our general resource of essay writing topics .

For help with this topic, read our guide explaining what is persuasive writing ?

Yna Lim is a communications specialist currently focused on policy advocacy. In her eight years of writing, she has been exposed to a variety of topics, including cryptocurrency, web hosting, agriculture, marketing, intellectual property, data privacy and international trade. A former journalist in one of the top business papers in the Philippines, Yna is currently pursuing her master's degree in economics and business.

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Are you reaching your full potential? A guide to personal development

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What is personal development?

5 areas of personal development, the benefits of personal development, 6 steps to developing a personal development plan, how personalized development can help.

I’m no stranger to feeling stuck. There are days I wake up and just go through the daily motions. I make coffee then sit down at my computer for a day of work. I’ll usually work out, walk the dogs, make dinner. Then, read, watch a show, go to bed. The next day? Wake up and do it all over again. 

Especially at the height of the pandemic, it started to feel like vicious monotony. Our lives seemingly stalled in bumper-to-bumper traffic. It feels like dreams, goals, and ambitions are buried in thick molasses or honey at the back of our brains. And even as we navigate this new normal , that “stuck” feeling might be stuck with us. 

The good news? You’re not alone — and personal development is here to help. 

I embarked on an intentional personal development journey well before I knew what it meant. I knew I wanted to see personal growth — and had reached a point in my life where I needed real change .

At BetterUp, personal development comes to life in what we call an Inner Work® practice . Inner Work® is deep work, a practice that isn’t always visible to the outside eye. But with the right personal development toolkit, you can build a lifelong practice of Inner Work® . 

My own personal growth journey has seen its series of ups and downs, failures and successes. Any personal development journey is a lifelong commitment, not a sprint or achievable task. It will weather bumps and roadblocks but it can also thrive in other areas of your life. 

If you’re looking for ways to up your personal development game, we’re here to help. 

It’s certainly not as easy as it sounds. Every person is unique. So, it only makes sense that personal development will look different for everyone. But what does it actually mean? 

Personal development is looking inward and focusing on ways to better yourself. Personal development increases your self-awareness, your self-esteem, increases your skills, and fulfills your aspirations.  

At BetterUp, we’re big believers in the practice of Inner Work®. In many ways, personal development is a form of Inner Work® . It is the act of looking inward to achieve a purpose or result, especially in the pursuit of clarity, purpose, and passion in life. 

Personal development is much larger than just career development or self-development. It encompasses all aspects of your life where you’d like to see personal growth — and it doesn’t discriminate on where it shows up for you. 

When it comes to personal development, it’s hard to not reference Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. According to Maslow, your basic needs need to be fulfilled in order to reach your fullest potential. In other words. To reach self-actualization means we’re reaching the highest levels of self-awareness , self-confidence , personal growth, and self-realization. 

Much like Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, we see five different areas of personal development. Different personal development goals can fall into different categories. 

Mental 

Exercising your brain and staying mentally fit is critical to personal development. At BetterUp, this comes to life in a few ways: coaching, learning opportunities , and career growth. For example, right now, I’m taking a creative writing course to help keep my mental creative muscles going strong. (And BetterUp foots the bill as part of our learning stipend.) 

Mental development can be anything from workshops, training sessions , or even just rest. Rest is just as (if not more) important than mental exercise. And as your mental fitness improves , so does your resiliency, innovation, and self-awareness. 

Social 

Social connections and relationships are also a must-have for any personal development. After all, self-improvement is not a solitary pursuit. Humans are social creatures — we need that connection to learn and grow. And from social connections, we gain important skills. Like communication skills , problem-solving, relationship-building, and the ability to receive (and give) feedback. We also learn from those around us and their experiences. 

Spiritual 

Personal growth and development — whether you’re religious or not — can come through in spirituality. It’s important to recognize that religion and spirituality are not synonymous. In fact, far from it. 

Spirituality means you’re investing in a deeper understanding of your own self in the world around you. It helps you get to know yourself and uncover your values. And in the context of Inner Work®, the spiritual personal development tool can bring greater awareness to self and change. 

Emotional 

Emotional personal development often goes hand-in-hand with emotional intelligence . At its simplest, emotional intelligence is the ability to understand feelings. Beyond feelings, it’s understanding how those feelings shape our thoughts and actions. 

Any number of experiences lends itself to emotional personal development. And those experiences can help you in your pursuit of self-improvement. Take your own Inner Work® journey so far. What experiences have shaped you into who you are today? When you reflect on your journey, what have you learned? 

If you’re looking back at your journey and identifying the growth, it’s likely you’ve fostered a sense of emotional development along the way. This requires emotional intelligence to understand what role your feelings and thoughts played. 

Physical 

A healthy body nourishes a healthy mind. There’s an intrinsic link between your physical, mental, and emotional well-being. 

This aspect of personal development is focused on physical health — like nutrition, sleep, exercise, and movement. When your physical self is nourished, it’s likely your mind is also reaping those benefits. Consider ways you can build this area of personal development and take note of how your body and your mind feel. 

There are plenty of benefits to personal development. Personal growth isn’t easy but the benefits will make the journey worthwhile. 

My friend at Google has worked with a BetterUp coach for the last year. In her own personal development journey, she's shared why working with a coach has transformed her personal growth journey. 

"My experience with BetterUp has transcended the professional workplace. My coach knows me on a personal level, which allows for her to help me set boundaries, manage expectations, and receive feedback. Ultimately, it's helped me reach my biggest goal of having a work-life balance."   A Google employee, BetterUp Member 

• Increased self-awareness and self-esteem. Personal growth requires looking inward at your own thoughts, feelings, habits, and reactions. It requires attentiveness — and awareness — to who you are as a person in a present state. But it also challenges you to look to the future to where you want to go. By investing in yourself, you’re increasing your self-awareness and by default, self-esteem . 
• Increased mental fitness. Becoming mentally fit requires work. And many aspects of personal development aid in building strong mental fitness. With increased mental fitness, you’ll see a ripple effect of positive benefits. We’ve gathered data around the impact of mental fitness . People with strong mental fitness are more productive, are less likely to experience mental illness, and are more creative and innovative. 
• Greater resilience. With personal development, you gain greater resilience . This is another positive symptom of strong mental fitness, too. Investing in your personal growth means investing in your ability to bounce back after rough patches. 
• More knowledge and learned skills. Oftentimes, personal development comes with more knowledge and learned skills. This can come to life in different ways. For example, you may take courses in digital marketing that help you gain the skills you need to further your career development. Or, you may sign up for art or pottery classes, which help you gain skills in entirely different areas of your life. 
• Improved personal and professional relationships. Another personal development benefit is improved personal and professional relationships . This is an area that flourishes when you invest in your personal growth, especially in emotional and social aspects. 

11 personal development skills to work on

If you’re not sure where to start, consider working with a coach . Personalized coaching can help serve as your guide while you’re building your roadmap to self-actualization. 

Your coach will work one-on-one with you to help identify key skills to work on catered to your own experience. You can start by taking the Whole Person Assessment  to help assess where your strengths and areas of opportunity lie. 

We’ve identified some common areas of self-improvement and personal development you may consider investing in: 

• Communication and interpersonal skills 
• Problem-solving 
• Cognitive agility and adaptability 
• Self-compassion, self-care , and self-reflection 
• Conflict and conflict resolution  
• Navigating change and uncertainty 
• Future-mindedness  
• Organizational skills 
• Growth mindset 
• Teamwork and collaboration  
• Self-awareness 

Like any other goal, it’s important to put together a plan. By assembling your personal development plan with some structure, you’re more likely to achieve your goals. 

1. Identify areas where you’d like to improve 

This first step will likely require some Inner Work®. Take a minute to reflect on where you are right now. What are your strengths? In what areas do you want to focus? What growth and development do you want to see in yourself? 

If you’ve taken the Whole Person Assessment, this can help as a useful tool. Once you’ve reflected on your personal goals , identify the areas where you’d like to improve . 

2. Work with a coach or mentor to assemble a plan 

Even if it's your own personal development plan, you don’t have to do it alone. Lean on support systems — like life coaches or mentors — to help frame a plan. With the right structure in place (and feedback along the way), you’ll be better equipped to put the plan into action. 

3. Structure your personal development goals  

Stick to a routine — and build consistency. Start to examine your day-to-day and try to find ways to either build habits or stack new habits onto existing ones. 

In this last year, I wanted to build strength training into my fitness routine. The kicker? I never use weights. I decided to put a yoga mat with weights next to my running shoes. Every time I go for a run, I have to think about those weights sitting next to my shoes. It helps to remind myself to do a quick 5-minute exercise with some dumbbells.  

4. Find an accountability buddy 

Sometimes, having someone holding you accountable makes all the difference. If you and a friend are both setting intentions and goals, consider ways you can support one another. 

Every new hire at BetterUp gets a stack of great books during the onboarding process. My teammate reached out today to see if we could create an accountability plan . We’re each holding each other to 100 pages of reading a week. 

5. Be honest and aware of your progress 

Your personal development plan requires integrity. Be honest with yourself about your growth and progress. This also requires a level of self-awareness. You can also gather feedback from friends, family, and colleagues to help gather insight on how you’re progressing in your goals, too. 

6. Factor personal development into your mental fitness plan 

How does personal development factor into your mental fitness plan? Consider ways you can work with your coach on building aspects of personal development into your overall mental fitness. 

Personal development is just that: it’s personal. 

Every human is different. If our society cracked the nut on personal development, every self-help book would help everyone. Or every learning process would benefit every student. 

But we know from our life experiences that there’s no “one-size-fits-all” solution to anything when it comes to human nature. 

It’s important to lean on personalized support like coaching to help craft a catered plan that works for you. You won’t have the same needs, strengths, opportunities, and skills as your neighbor. So why would your personal development plan be the same? 

Push yourself outside of your comfort zone. By doing so, you'll be on the path to reaching your full potential .

While self-actualization and Inner Work® is a lifelong process, your personal development goals shouldn't be daunting. Start small — like building a new skill or even investing in work-life balance . By doing so, you'll set yourself up for success in all areas of your life.

If you're ready to make a change to improve the quality of your life, consider how personal and professional development coaching can help. With help from BetterUp, you can awaken your full potential .

Transform your life

Make meaningful changes and become the best version of yourself. BetterUp's professional Coaches are here to support your personal growth journey.

Madeline Miles

Madeline is a writer, communicator, and storyteller who is passionate about using words to help drive positive change. She holds a bachelor's in English Creative Writing and Communication Studies and lives in Denver, Colorado. In her spare time, she's usually somewhere outside (preferably in the mountains) — and enjoys poetry and fiction.

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Personal Development Essay

If your college instructor or your employer asks you to create a personal development essay, don’t get scared! In its essence, the task is simple. You are to describe a specific event in your life or a turning point that pushed you to change or grow personally in some way. Since this is not a research paper and you don’t need to use any additional sources, the writing process doesn’t have to be complicated. Still, some preparation and brainstorming are needed. This way, you will shape a clear focus of your essay and understand what topic you really want to discuss. When you have decided on the topic of your masterpiece, you are to think of some overall ideas you want to highlight in relation to that theme.

An essay about personal growth and development is in fact the easiest type of paper to write. This is because you are the subject! Basically, you need to spot an area in life in which you have made significant progress and start by crafting an outline with the claims/central ideas you want to make. When the paper is ready, not only will you have a brilliant essay on personal development, but you will also realize how great the progress you have made in the past years is.

What is Personal Development?

First and foremost, it is a lifelong process. To write a good personal growth essay you need to know what this process entails. So, this process covers a variety of activities that develop one’s potential and talents, improve self-awareness and identity, improve the quality of life, and aid in the realization of dreams and aspirations. Such activities also build human capital and promote employability. In general, this concept is not restricted to self-help. It also includes formal and informal tasks aimed at helping others to become better counselors, teachers, guides, managers, mentors, and life coaches. In the context of a certain institution, personal development refers to tools, programs, methods, techniques, and grading systems that facilitate one’s development at the individual level in the organization.

If to speak about an individual, such a development incorporates the following activities:

• developing self-awareness
• advancing self-knowledge
• building self-esteem
• renewing identity
• learning to be a self-leader
• developing talents
• identifying potential
• spiritual growth
• enhancing the quality of life
• improving health and wealth
• initiating a personal autonomy/life enterprise
• bringing to life personal development plans
• fulfilling aspirations

How to Write a Personal Development Essay

Now that you have an understanding of the term and the topic/sphere in life/specific event you want to cover, you can start writing your personal development plan essay in compliance with a specific format. The following, a bit childish, statement will help you to remember the right paper format: announce what you are going to say, then say it, finally repeat what you said. This means that in your introductory paragraph, you will present your general topic along with a neatly crafted thesis statement. In the following several paragraphs you will explain your points. In the last paragraph, you will summarize your arguments shortly and clearly.

• Every essay about personal development starts with an introduction. It should attract your audience and make them read your paper till the last word. The best way to do this is to tell a story or create a certain image, linking them to your chosen topic and the thesis statement. This statement is a claim that appears in the last sentence of the paragraph. It should be specific and talk about you.

For example: “Caring for my deadly ill grandmother has allowed me to become a more caring person, as I have learned to see and cover the needs of others.”

Note that in this example, the central statement highlights a specific reason how looking after a grandmother has fostered one’s personal growth. Unlike most academic essays, providing a specific example in a thesis statement of an essay on development is appreciated.

• Don’t forget to check your instructor’s prompt. The personal growth and development essay prompt may contain a specific question that you are to answer. Employers and tutors tend to pose specific questions in relation to personal development. Feel free to highlight key phrases in the posed question. This will help you to answer it thoroughly. It is also recommended to use those key phrases somewhere in your paper to signal that you have addressed certain parts of a question.

Also, your thesis statement can be supported with another sentence highlighting several main topics you want to cover.

• In the next few paragraphs, you need to discuss each of your main ideas. The general rules of essay writing apply here. Thus, you should start your paragraph with a topic sentence. This statement should be directly linked to your central claim. Next, you are to explain your topic sentence using one more statement. Then, you are to present a relevant example from your life and discuss it. The last sentence should sum up what was said and offer a transition to the next point.

Repeat this procedure for all your main topics/points listed in the thesis statement. This will be the body of your essay about personal growth.

We don’t advise you to add some imaginary accomplishments or exaggerate the progress made in this or that sphere. Don’t be afraid to be honest. The majority of people underestimate themselves. We are sure, you will be surprised at how much you have managed to achieve and at the progress you have made over the past few years.

Your concluding paragraph should be short. Summarize what you have said. Add some recommendations for some kind of action plan that can be a logical extension of your personal progress and achievements.

Editing Your Development Essay

We recommend that you put aside your seemingly perfect essay for a day or two. This will refresh your brain and allow you to look at your paper with a lucid eye. Don’t get disappointed upon finding some grammar mistakes and repetitions after a break. This is normal. Address all of the detected problems and read your text aloud. Check if the paper sounds objective and professional. In other words, make sure the tone of your essay is appropriate.

Needless to say, at every stage of the writing process, you can turn to our professional custom writer. This person can simply craft an outline for your essay, write an original paper, or just proofread and edit what you have already created.

Personal Development Essay Sample

A good personal development essay example can give you an overall idea of what to write in your paper. Still, do not attempt to borrow some ideas or rewrite some parts of the example found online. Your work should be fully original and reflect your unique experience.

Every person throughout the life undergoes different stages of personal development. For example, when babies arrive in this world, they are helpless, tiny creatures who cannot exist without due care and support of adults. Somehow, with the proper care, nurturing and other factors in the next 22 years, they grow up, become conscious, independent adults who can take care of themselves and help other people as well. The process of becoming older is a wonderful time when children find out the basic knowledge about the surrounding world and form different traits of character that in mix with innate qualities create a unique story of personal development. And I was not an exception. Of course, I have my own history of my development from childhood through adolescence and into the present time. I was born in Cameroon, a small Country in the continent of Africa. I grew up there until I was thirteen then I moved to the United States of America. Growing up in Cameroon, I faced many challenges, which have made me into the girl I am right now. I have been in the United States for almost 9 years now. I spent part of my childhood years in my country Cameroon and the rest here in the U.S. I do not remember much about my childhood but in this paper, I will try to explore and explain the main stages and moments of my life. When I was an infant, as everyone in this period, I was not able to take care of myself. However, it seems to me that I was very busy person, because there were many new things around me which I wanted to explore. My mother remembers that I was extremely active and one of my favorite activities was to touch and lick everything that I saw around me. My first steps I did at the age of 12 month and it provide me with an excellent opportunity to discover new things. However, I remember that in the age of three just walking was not enough for me, because I wanted to do everything that adults did. I wore my mother’s skirt and shoes and imitated her behavior. These moments have etched in my memory because I have many photos from that time. Moreover, my relatives always with a smile remind me about it. Therefore, the main problem of my infancy and early childhood was the impossibility to behave like adults and it was the first challenge that I had experienced. This challenge rewarded me with such trait of character as shyness, reticence, as I was afraid to show my feelings to other people and talk with different strangers since that. In the preschool period, I remember that studying was my favorite occupation. It brought me a lot of pleasure to draw different simple pictures, learn by heart short rhymes, sing funny songs and read small words. Moreover, together with my friends, we explored different laws of nature and every discovery made me extremely happy. For example, I remember that one day we learned that it was very easy to let sunbeams with the help of mirror. We had been playing in this game almost two years. Moreover, when I was 5 years old I began to understand that I was a beautiful girl, I needed to know more, and nursery school could not provide me with it. Therefore, I began to understand that such a small space like the house, the neighborhood and nursery school was not enough for me. I wanted to go to real school and it was the second period of challenges in my life. This period, in comparison with the first one, was more difficult because I clearly understood what I wanted and I knew that for the 5 years old child it was impossible. I cried many nights and asked my mother to enroll me to primary school. This age crisis rewarded me with such traits as determination and patience. At the age of 6, my dream came true. However, at primary school everything was much more difficult than I had expected. The primary school required a lot of attention, patience and concentration in comparison with nursery one, which provided more opportunity for entertainment. To make it clearer, first, I want to start with explaining the peculiarities of the educational system in Cameroon, because it played a major role in my relation to school and in further studying at the USA. In Cameroon, the educational system differs from the US educational system. In Cameroon, there is a nursery school for two years, primary school for seven years, college and the university. I started going to nursery school at the age of four, then was primary school and I had finished first two years of college before I moved to the USA. At school, I was an active child. My siblings say that I was full of beans. I had a lot of energy for studying and for the entertainment as well. Moreover, I had the energy for playing with my little brother as I was babysitting him while my mother was working on the farm. On the other hand, mother’s permit not to help her planting or bridging made me a little bit lazy. Therefore, the years of studying at Cameron school and college awarded me with such positive qualities as a sense of competence, concentration, energy, restlessness, ability to overcome obstacles, and some negative ones as archness and laziness. At the age of 13, I had experienced the most difficult period in my life. In comparison with previous crises, it was the most difficult one. It seemed to me that my life ended and nobody could help me. It was the time of realizing that I was not a child anymore, however not an adult as well and the greatest turnover in my life had happened. I had to leave Cameroon, my hometown, where I had many friends and came to the U.S, where I did not know anyone. It was difficult for me to integrate, because I did not understand well the peculiarities of the new culture and American – English language. Moreover, it was hard for me to adapt to the new school system. However, everything started to change for the better when I began studying at school in the USA, because I found many friends there. My classmates were friendly and they helped me to overcome many difficulties, which I faced there. They helped me to understand that the most important things in the life of every person are friendship and mutual support. The period of adolescence awarded me with such qualities as friendliness and sense of personal identity. At the period of young adulthood, the most important task for me was the career choice. Fortunately, I have made the right choice. I am completely satisfied with my education at college. In addition to it, I have formed loving, friendly relationships with many people during the period of young adulthood that is my achievement as well. Using my own life experience, I can define the boundaries between childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Boundary between childhood and adolescence is about at the age of 13 while between adolescence and adulthood is about at the age of 18.. However, every person has an individual development according to the principles of bringing up, traditions and so on, that is why there are no concrete age when you grew up, as it is different for everybody. To sum up, the story of my personal development consists of different stages, challenges and outcomes. Al these altogether have made me whom I am right now and have formed me as a unique personality.

Once your personal growth essay is ready, you will get the feeling of accomplishment. This work will allow you to realize how you have grown on many levels, and how many goals you have achieved. You will also be able to create a plan for you not to stop on what you have already achieved. As was earlier said, personal growth and development is a lifelong process.

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Essay on My Personal Development

Students are often asked to write an essay on My Personal Development in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on My Personal Development

Introduction to personal growth.

Personal development is about getting better and learning new things. It’s like growing taller but for your mind and skills. Just like a plant needs water to grow, our minds need new knowledge and practice.

Learning New Things

I try to learn something new every day. It can be a new word, a math problem, or a fact about the world. This makes my brain stronger and more ready for school quizzes and life.

Overcoming Challenges

When things get tough, I don’t give up. I keep trying, even if I fail at first. Each time I try, I get a little better. This is how I grow.

Being nice to people is also part of personal development. When I help friends and share, it makes me feel good and builds my character.

Staying Healthy

Eating right and playing sports keep my body healthy. A healthy body helps me think better and stay focused on my goals.

Every day, I work on being a better me. It’s not always easy, but it’s worth it. I’m excited to keep growing and learning.

250 Words Essay on My Personal Development

Personal development is like a journey where I learn new things and become a better version of myself. It’s about improving skills, gaining knowledge, and setting goals for a brighter future. Think of it as planting a seed that slowly grows into a strong tree.

One big part of personal growth is learning. This can be at school, from books, or through talking with others. Every new fact or skill is like a tool in my toolbox, helping me solve problems and do things better. Just like a video game character that levels up, I feel stronger and more confident with each new thing I learn.

Setting Goals

Setting goals is another important step. These are like checkpoints in a race that guide me where to go. When I set a goal, I have something to aim for, like getting better at math or learning to play a musical instrument. Reaching these goals makes me proud and pushes me to set even bigger ones.

Life can throw challenges my way, but facing them is key to personal development. Each time I overcome a problem, I learn and get tougher. It’s like a puzzle that seems hard at first, but once I solve it, I feel great and ready for the next one.

My personal development is an exciting adventure. It’s about learning, setting goals, and facing challenges. With each step, I grow just like that seed into a strong tree, ready to reach for the sky.

500 Words Essay on My Personal Development

When we talk about personal development, we mean the way a person grows or gets better over time. It’s like when you learn to ride a bike. At first, you might fall and have trouble, but with practice, you can ride smoothly. Personal development is similar. It’s about learning new things and becoming a better version of yourself.

One big part of personal growth is learning. This doesn’t just mean school subjects, but also things like playing a sport, cooking, or even how to be a good friend. Every time you learn something new, your brain grows stronger. Think of your brain as a muscle. The more you use it, the stronger it gets.

Setting goals is like having a map for a treasure hunt. Your goals are the treasure, and the map is the plan you make to reach them. When you have a goal, like getting better grades or saving money for a new toy, it gives you something to work towards. It’s important to make sure your goals are clear and possible to reach.

Sometimes, things get tough. Maybe you’re trying to learn how to spell difficult words, or you’re not getting along with a friend. These tough times are challenges. Overcoming them is a big part of personal development. When you face a challenge and work through it, you get stronger and more confident.

Being Healthy

Your body and mind are connected. If you want to grow as a person, taking care of your body is important. Eating good food, getting enough sleep, and playing or exercising keep you healthy. When you’re healthy, your mind is ready to learn and grow.

Building Relationships

No one grows all by themselves. We all need friends and family to help us. Building strong relationships means learning to listen, share, and care for others. When you have good relationships, you have people to help you when you’re having a hard time and to cheer for you when you do well.

Being Positive

Having a positive attitude can make a huge difference in personal development. It’s like when the sun comes out after a rainy day. Everything feels better. When you think positively, you’re more likely to try new things and keep going, even when it’s hard.

Personal development is all about growing and getting better, step by step. It’s learning new things, setting goals, and overcoming challenges. It’s staying healthy, building relationships, and keeping a positive attitude. Just like a plant needs water and sunlight to grow, you need challenges, learning, and support to grow. So keep trying new things, and remember, every day is a chance to grow a little more.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

• Essay on My Passion For Technology
• Essay on My Passion For Sports
• Essay on My Passion For Cooking

Apart from these, you can look at all the essays by clicking here .

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How to Create a Personal Development Plan: 3 Examples

For successful change, it is vital that the client remains engaged, recognizing and identifying with the goals captured inside and outside sessions. A personal development plan (PDP) creates a focus for development while offering a guide for life and future success (Starr, 2021).

This article introduces and explores the value of personal development plans, offering tools, worksheets, and approaches to boost self-reflection and self-improvement.

Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Goal Achievement Exercises for free . These detailed, science-based exercises will help you or your clients create actionable goals and master techniques to create lasting behavior change.

This Article Contains

What is personal development 7 theories, coaching in personal development and growth, how to create a personal development plan, 3 examples of personal development plans, defining goals and objectives: 10 tips and tools, fostering personal development skills, 3 inspiring books to read on the topic, resources from positivepsychology.com, a take-home message, frequently asked questions.

Personal development is a fundamental concept in psychology and encompasses the lifelong process of self-improvement, self-awareness, and personal growth. Crucial to coaching and counseling, it aims to enhance various aspects of clients’ lives, including their emotional wellbeing, relationships, careers, and overall happiness (Cox, 2018; Starr, 2021).

Several psychological models underpin and support transformation. Together, they help us understand personal development in our clients and the mechanisms and approaches available to make positive life changes (Cox, 2018; Passmore, 2021).

The following psychological theories and frameworks underpin and influence the approach a mental health professional adopts.

1. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs

As a proponent of the humanistic or person-centered approach to helping people, Abraham Maslow (1970) suggested that individuals have a hierarchy of needs. Simply put, they begin with basic physiological and safety needs and progress through psychological and self-fulfillment needs.

Personal development is often found in or recognized by the pursuit of higher-level needs, such as self-esteem and self-actualization (Cox, 2018).

2. Erikson’s psychosocial development

Erik Erikson (1963) mapped out a series of eight psychosocial development stages that individuals go through across their lifespan.

Each one involves challenges and crises that once successfully navigated, contribute to personal growth and identity development.

3. Piaget’s cognitive development

The biologist and epistemologist Jean Piaget (1959) focused on cognitive development in children and how they construct their understanding of the world.

We can draw on insights from Piaget’s stages of cognitive development, including intellectual growth and adaptability, to inform our own and others’ personal development (Illeris, 2018).

4. Bandura’s social cognitive theory

Albert Bandura’s (1977) theory highlights the role of social learning and self-efficacy in personal development. It emphasizes that individuals can learn and grow through observation, imitation, and belief in their ability to effect change.

5. Self-determination theory

Ryan and Deci’s (2018) motivational self-determination theory recognizes the importance of autonomy, competence, and relatedness in personal development.

Their approach suggests that individuals are more likely to experience growth and wellbeing when such basic psychological needs are met.

6. Positive psychology

Positive psychology , developed by Martin Seligman (2011) and others, focuses on strengths, wellbeing, and the pursuit of happiness.

Seligman’s PERMA model offers a framework for personal development that emphasizes identifying and using our strengths while cultivating positive emotions and experiences (Lomas et al., 2014).

7. Cognitive-Behavioral Theory (CBT)

Developed by Aaron Beck (Beck & Haigh, 2014) and Albert Ellis (2000), CBT explores the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and behavior.

As such, the theory provides practical techniques for personal development, helping individuals identify and challenge negative thought patterns and behaviors (Beck, 2011).

Theories like the seven mentioned above offer valuable insights into many of the psychological processes underlying personal development. They provide a sound foundation for coaches and counselors to support their clients and help them better understand themselves, their motivations, and the paths they can take to foster positive change in their lives (Cox, 2018).

The client–coach relationship is significant to successful growth and goal achievement.

Typically, the coach will focus on the following (Cox, 2018):

• Actualizing tendency This supports a “universal human motivation resulting in growth, development and autonomy of the individual” (Cox, 2018, p. 53).
• Building a relationship facilitating change Trust clients to find their own way while displaying empathy, congruence, and unconditional positive regard . The coach’s “outward responses consistently match their inner feelings towards a client,” and they display a warm acceptance that they are being how they need to be (Passmore, 2021, p. 162).
• Adopting a positive psychological stance Recognize that the client has the potential and wish to become fully functioning (Cox, 2018).

Effective coaching for personal growth involves adopting and committing to a series of beliefs that remind the coach that the “coachee is responsible for the results they create” (Starr, 2021, p. 18) and help them recognize when they may be avoiding this idea.

The following principles are, therefore, helpful for coaching personal development and growth (Starr, 2021).

• Stay committed to supporting the client. While initially strong, you may experience factors that reduce your sense of support for the individual’s challenges.
• Coach nonjudgmentally. Our job is not to adopt a stance based on personal beliefs or judgment of others, but to help our clients form connections between behavior and results.
• Maintain integrity, openness, and trust. The client must feel safe in your company and freely able to express themselves.
• Responsibility does not equal blame. Clients who take on blame rather than responsibility will likely feel worse about something without acknowledging their influence on the situation.
• The client can achieve better results. The client is always capable of doing and achieving more, especially in relation to their goals.
• Focus on clients’ thoughts and experiences. Collaborative coaching is about supporting the growth and development of the client, getting them to where they want to go.
• Clients can arrive at perfect solutions. “As a coach, you win when someone else does” (Starr, 2021, p. 34). The solution needs to be the client’s, not yours.
• Coach as an equal partnership. Explore the way forward together collaboratively rather than from a parental or advisory perspective.

Creating a supportive and nonjudgmental environment helps clients explore their thoughts, feelings, and goals, creating an environment for personal development and flourishing (Passmore, 2021).

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A personal development plan is a powerful document “to create mutual clarity of the aims and focus of a coaching assignment” (Starr, 2021, p. 291). While it is valuable during coaching, it can also capture a client’s way forward once sessions have ended.

Crucially, it should have the following characteristics (Starr, 2021):

• Short and succinct
• Providing a quick reference or point of discussion
• Current and fresh, regularly revised and updated

Key elements of a personal development plan include the following (Starr, 2021):

• Area of development This is the general skill or competence to be worked on.
• Development objectives or goals What does the client want to do? Examples might include reducing stress levels, improving diet, or managing work–life balance .
• Behaviors to develop These comprise what the client will probably do more of when meeting their objectives, for example, practicing better coping mechanisms, eating more healthily, and better managing their day.
• Actions to create progress What must the client do to action their objectives? For example, arrange a date to meet with their manager, sign up for a fitness class, or meet with a nutritionist.
• Date to complete or review the objective Capture the dates for completing actions, meeting objectives, and checking progress.

Check out Lindsey Cooper’s excellent video for helpful guidance on action planning within personal development.

We can write and complete personal development plans in many ways. Ultimately, they should meet the needs of the client and leave them with a sense of connection to and ownership of their journey ahead (Starr, 2021).

• Personal Development Plan – Areas of Development In this PDP , we draw on guidance from Starr (2021) to capture development opportunities and the behaviors and actions needed to achieve them.
• Personal Development Plan – Opportunities for Development This template combines short- and long-term goal setting with a self-assessment of strengths, weaknesses, and development opportunities.
• Personal Development Plan – Ideal Self In this PDP template , we focus on our vision of how our ideal self looks and setting goals to get there.

“The setting of a goal becomes the catalyst that drives the remainder of the coaching conversation.”

Passmore, 2021, p. 80

Defining goals and objectives is crucial to many coaching conversations and is usually seen as essential for personal development.

Check out this video on how you can design your life with your personal goals in mind.

The following coaching templates are helpful, containing a series of questions to complete Whitmore’s (2009) GROW model :

• G stands for Goal : Where do you want to be?
• R stands for Reality : Where are you right now with this goal?
• O stands for Options : What are some options for reaching your goal?
• W stands for Way forward : What is your first step forward?

Goal setting creates both direction and motivation for clients to work toward achieving something and meeting their objectives (Passmore, 2021).

The SMART goal-setting framework is another popular tool inside coaching and elsewhere.

S = Specific M = Measurable A = Attainable/ or Agreed upon R = Realistic T = Timely – allowing enough time for achievement

The SMART+ Goals Worksheet contains a series of prompts and spaces for answers to define goals and capture the steps toward achieving them.

We can summarize the five principles of goal setting (Passmore, 2021) as follows:

• Goals must be clear and not open to interpretation.
• Goals should be stretching yet achievable.
• Clients must buy in to the goal from the outset.
• Feedback is essential to keep the client on track.
• Goals should be relatively straightforward. We can break down complex ones into manageable subgoals.

The following insightful articles are also helpful for setting and working toward goals.

• What Is Goal Setting and How to Do it Well
• The Science & Psychology of Goal-Setting 101

1. People skills

Improving how we work with others benefits confidence, and with other’s support, we are more likely to achieve our objectives and goals. The following people skills can all be improved upon:

• Developing rapport
• Assertiveness and negotiation
• Giving and receiving constructive criticism

2. Managing tasks and problem-solving

Inevitably, we encounter challenges on our path to development and growth. Managing our activities and time and solving issues as they surface are paramount.

Here are a few guidelines to help you manage:

• Organize time and tasks effectively.
• Learn fundamental problem-solving strategies.
• Select and apply problem-solving strategies to tackle more complex tasks and challenges.
• Develop planning skills, including identifying priorities, setting achievable targets, and finding practical solutions.
• Acquire skills relevant to project management.
• Familiarize yourself with concepts such as performance indicators and benchmarking.
• Conduct self-audits to assess and enhance your personal competitiveness.

3. Cultivate confidence in your creative abilities

Confidence energizes our performance. Knowing we can perform creatively encourages us to develop novel solutions and be motivated to transform.

Consider the following:

• Understand the fundamentals of how the mind works to enhance your thinking skills.
• Explore a variety of activities to sharpen your creative thinking.
• Embrace the belief that creativity is not limited to artists and performers but is crucial for problem-solving and task completion.
• Learn to ignite the spark of creativity that helps generate innovative ideas when needed.
• Apply creative thinking techniques to enhance your problem-solving and task completion abilities.
• Recognize the role of creative thinking in finding the right ideas at the right time.

To aid you in building your confidence, we have a whole category of articles focused on Optimism and Mindset . Be sure to browse it for confidence-building inspiration.

With new techniques and technology, our understanding of the human brain continues to evolve. Identifying the vital elements involved in learning and connecting with others offers deep insights into how we function and develop as social beings. We handpicked a small but unique selection of books we believe you will enjoy.

1. The Coaching Manual: The Definitive Guide to the Process, Principles and Skills of Personal Coaching – Julie Starr

This insightful book explores and explains the coaching journey from start to finish.

Starr’s book offers a range of free resources and gives clear guidance to support new and existing coaches in providing practical help to their clients.

Find the book on Amazon .

2. The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level – Gay Hendricks

Delving into the “zone of genius” and the “zone of excellence,” Hendricks examines personal growth and our path to personal success.

This valuable book explores how we eliminate the barriers to reaching our goals that arise from false beliefs and fears.

3. The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are – Brené Brown

Brown, a leading expert on shame, vulnerability, and authenticity, examines how we can engage with the world from a place of worthiness.

Use this book to learn how to build courage and compassion and realize the behaviors, skills, and mindset that lead to personal development.

We have many resources available for fostering personal development and supporting client transformation and growth.

Our free resources include:

• Goal Planning and Achievement Tracker This is a valuable worksheet for capturing and reflecting on weekly goals while tracking emotions that surface.
• Adopt a Growth Mindset Successful change is often accompanied by replacing a fixed mindset with a growth one .
• FIRST Framework Questions Understanding a client’s developmental stage can help offer the most appropriate support for a career change.

More extensive versions of the following tools are available with a subscription to the Positive Psychology Toolkit© , but they are described briefly below:

• Backward Goal Planning

Setting goals can build confidence and the skills for ongoing personal development.

Backward goal planning helps focus on the end goal, prevent procrastination, and decrease stress by ensuring we have enough time to complete each task.

Try out the following four simple steps:

• Step one – Identify and visualize your end goal.
• Step two – Reflect on and capture the steps required to reach the goal.
• Step three – Focus on each step one by one.
• Step four – Take action and record progress.
• Boosting Motivation by Celebrating Micro Successes

Celebrating the small successes on our journey toward our goals is motivating and confidence building.

Practice the following:

• Step one – Reflect momentarily on the goal you are working toward.
• Step two – Consider each action being taken to reach that goal.
• Step three – Record the completion of each action as a success.
• Step four – Choose how to celebrate each success.

If you’re looking for more science-based ways to help others reach their goals, check out this collection of 17 validated motivation & goal achievement tools for practitioners. Use them to help others turn their dreams into reality by applying the latest science-based behavioral change techniques.

17 Tools To Increase Motivation and Goal Achievement

These 17 Motivation & Goal Achievement Exercises [PDF] contain all you need to help others set meaningful goals, increase self-drive, and experience greater accomplishment and life satisfaction.

Created by Experts. 100% Science-based.

Personal development has a rich and long history. It is underpinned by various psychological theories and remains a vital aspect of creating fulfilling lives inside and outside coaching and counseling.

For many of us, self-improvement, self-awareness, and personal growth are vital aspects of who we are. Coaching can provide a vehicle to help clients along their journey, supporting their sense of autonomy and confidence and highlighting their potential (Cox, 2018).

Working with clients, therefore, requires an open, honest, and supportive relationship. The coach or counselor must believe the client can achieve better results and view them nonjudgmentally as equal partners.

Personal development plans become essential to that relationship and the overall coaching process. They capture areas for development, skills and behaviors required, and goals and objectives to work toward.

Use this article to recognize theoretical elements from psychology that underpin the process and use the skills, guidance, and worksheets to support personal development in clients, helping them remove obstacles along the way.

Ultimately, personal development is a lifelong process that boosts wellbeing and flourishing and creates a richer, more engaging environment for the individual and those around them.

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. Don’t forget to download our three Goal Achievement Exercises for free .

Personal development is vital, as it enables individuals to enhance various aspects of their lives, including emotional wellbeing, relationships, careers, and overall happiness.

It promotes self-awareness, self-improvement, and personal growth, helping individuals reach their full potential and lead fulfilling lives (Passmore, 2021; Starr, 2021).

Personal development is the journey we take to improve ourselves through conscious habits and activities and focusing on the goals that are important to us.

Personal development goals are specific objectives individuals set to improve themselves and their lives. Goals can encompass various areas, such as emotional intelligence, skill development, health, and career advancement, providing direction and motivation for personal growth (Cox, 2018; Starr, 2021).

A personal development plan typically comprises defining the area of development, setting development objectives, identifying behaviors to develop, planning actions for progress, and establishing completion dates. These five stages help individuals clarify their goals and track their progress (Starr, 2021).

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• Seligman, M. E. (2011). Authentic happiness using the new positive psychology to realize your potential for lasting fulfillment . Nicholas Brealey.
• Starr, J. (2021). The coaching manual: The definitive guide to the process, principles and skills of personal coaching . Harlow: Pearson Education.
• Whitmore, J. (2009). Coaching for performance . Nicholas Brealey.

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Development — Personal Growth and Development: My Journey of Self-Discovery

Personal Growth and Development: My Journey of Self-discovery

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Home / Essay Samples / Life / Experience / Personal Growth and Development

Personal Growth and Development Essay Examples

Finding your true self - is the biggest life solution.

Everyone has that one experience that makes them look at life with a new set of eyes. Some changing us for the better, others for the worse. Both ways happen for a reason, to help prepare you for the future. Good and bad experiences can...

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Finding yourself requires to leave what is holding you back. Leaving a corporate job to an entrepreneurship path can be exciting and alarming at the same time. The journey isn't an easy one as it comes with lots of bumps on the way. Embracing who...

Personal Purpose to Participate in Graduate Assistantship

I have always been intrigued by the corporate world—the elegant dress code, diligent workers and professional working environment—so I did not hesitate at any opportunity to develop skills relevant to this world. I have always been intrigued by the corporate world—the elegant dress code, diligent...

Building Character Through Sports: Lessons for Life

Everyone has most likely seen that one tv show or movie about that one boy who was no good and did bad things, until the day he picked up either a football or basketball that he changed for the better? Not only is that the...

The Depiction of My American Dream

The American dream is about having the opportunity for success. The American dream is also about freedom and living the life you want to live. This is my American dream, essay examples, where I will share personal dreams. So my American Dream is to have...

Determining What I Gained from the Internship Program

This paper presents a deep analysis of personal internship experience. One more aim is in the name of the “What do you hope to gain from this internship?” essay. Now I want to start with duties and responsibilities of this internship program. My internship was...

Perseverance - a Key Element for Personal Changes

Learning the struggles of being an 18-year-old female of color in this world can be several reasons. Having a favorite song artist, a favorite food, someone that this girl admires, and a goal in life simply doesn’t isn’t always enough for one to become successful....

What Are Skills: Understanding the Essential Abilities Success

Skills are abilities or competencies that individuals possess and have developed through practice, training, or experience. These abilities may be cognitive, physical, technical, or social in nature, and can range from simple tasks such as tying shoelaces to complex skills such as programming a computer...

Talent: Management and Theoretical Foundation

To start with, this is talent essay in which this topic is discussed. Workforces around the world have become larger, increasingly diverse, highly educated and more mobile. The ability to attract, develop and retain a steady supply of critical talent is a challenge facing all...

Developing the Leader: the Importance of Managerial Self-awareness

The meaning of self-development and self-awareness is widespread. Relatively recently, the notion of personal development refers to anything that is, or maybe, undertaken by each of us, either voluntarily or via various techniques to live better, to improve in different areas of life, to achieve...

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