Personal development refers to the lifelong process of increasing self-awareness, acquiring new skills and actively pursuing continual improvement. It differs from personal growth in that growth is the goal and personal development is the process to reach that goal. Just as nurturing a garden leads to it bearing fruit, improving oneself through personal development can lead to a higher quality of life.
The concept of personal development has origins in Abraham Maslow's hierarchy of needs. Here, the esteemed psychologist posited that once basic needs such as safety and even friendship are met, humans continue to strive forward through learning and appreciation of beauty, eventually reaching a state of self-actualization. At this stage, we find inner peace and a true connection to our inner selves.
But to reach this heightened state of awareness, we can’t simply sit back in the comfort of what we have. Rather, personal development requires us to develop a growth mindset so that we keep reaching toward higher and more challenging goals. In this way, personal development is important in attaining a higher quality of life.
Spiritual: Connection with something greater than oneself seems a uniquely human trait. Whether that connection is through a religious structure, appreciation of nature or even a cause, Rohn advises that our spiritual side should not be ignored.
Physical: While we live largely in our minds, our presence is physical. Part of the journey includes taking proper care of our bodies.
Mental: Developing our mental habits is also critical to personal growth. Exercising our minds through reading, learning new skills and embracing challenges is essential to personal development.
