Four ways to stimulate personal growth

Let’s start this off by being as clear as we can – personal growth is an incredibly broad topic, and what counts as growth to you may very well not to someone else. Whether you think it’s about personal development, finding yourself, or something else, the key is that you’re in charge of the process, the progress, and the final product.

Pursuing said growth often requires the exploration of your own identity, talents, aspirations, and potential. It pushes you in more ways than one, including physically, mentally, spiritually, and intellectually.

Talking about personal growth can sometimes feel like you’re casting a wide net, but that’s the whole point. It’s your net, and it can look however you want it to. Your journey might involve up-skilling or traveling, or it may be centered around yoga and spiritual healing. The key point doesn’t change – put yourself in positions that triggers exploration and growth.

Sort Out Your Circle

Surround yourself with people that make you better, and allow them to rub off on you. If you value kindness, compassion, bravery, and inner drive, find likeminded people and build a community that you can count on. While this can take time, be patient, and practice what you preach. You often attract what you are, or aspire to be.

Along the same lines, but admittedly a much tougher task - you should eliminate people, places, and activities that bring you down. Sometimes this includes loved ones or a childhood friend, and it’s rarely easy. But just like you’re expanding your circle with the right people, you have to be open to removing people that are no longer fitting in.

Have a Smaller Slice of Social Media

You may have come across this on social media, and the irony is not lost on us. However, we’re not here to tell you to quit social media, which is a trend that is picking up steam. We’re just here to remind you of the fact that you need to pay attention to what consuming different content does to you. If it evokes positive feelings, keeping it in your life (in moderation) may help you with your personal growth. If you catch yourself consuming content that is stealing time from your other activities, or you experience more negative emotions as part of your social media consumption, you need to reevaluate how you spend your time and who you follow. Lastly, and we hope this goes without saying, never forget that 99% of what you see on social is clipped, cropped, and cultivated.

Let Nature Nurture

Take time out of each day to get some fresh air. Meet up with a friend to walk through the local park, visit the beach for the sunset, or go an extra block when you walk the dog. Such mini escapes can make a world of difference, and usually energize you for an entire day.

Practice Kindness

Be the change you wish to see, and seek out opportunities to act on it as often as possible. Whether it’s assisting a stranger at the coffee shop, helping a friend, or connecting with your mom, doing something to brighten someone’s day can make a significant positive difference for you, and the person you were kind to. This stuff spreads, and you can be the butter knife. By practicing kindness on a daily basis, your immediate surroundings and world will be filled with positive interactions, good people, and good times.

Do you have a favorite way to stimulate personal growth? We’d love to hear from you!