Reflect on Gains from a Personal Growth Plan
Self-Improvement is a Foundation for New Development Plans
Nov 1, 2009
Studies of highly successful people (Training Camp, John Wiley & Sons, 2009) indicate they tend to utilize several common success factors. Among these are having a vision, developing a plan, and executing the plan.
Whether one is focused on personal growth and development or career development, these same success factors apply.
Readers who have followed the nineteen week personal development plan example have experienced eighteen weeks of intensive personal growth. Though personal growth may have been the initial goal, it is likely that the professional and career areas of their lives have also grown.
After periods of intensive personal development activity devote some time to reflecting on the experience and habituating the new skills. This article suggests reflective activities appropriate for consolidating growth gains before moving forward toward new goals.
Reflection and Self-Awareness
After many weeks of focusing on aspects of personal growth, spend a week simply reflecting on the experience. Using the new or sharpened skill of self-awareness (covered in week six of the example plan), one will notice how thoughts and behaviors have changed in response to situations over the past few months.
Perhaps one may now notice emotions more clearly and it's easier to adjust thoughts and behaviors in a dynamic manner in response to situations with intent. If self-awareness of your emotional state is not yet automatic, note this as an area for renewed focus in your next cycle of personal development planning.
Savor Successes
Which areas of personal growth have been most successful? Note these areas of growth and savor your successes. Re-live situations where your responses now are better representations of the person you choose to be. Savor these areas of growth, giving yourself generous self-congratulations and figurative pats-on-the-back. This is not a time to be humble. Personal growth is difficult and success should be acknowledged and celebrated.
Areas of Lagging Personal Improvement
In an aggressive personal growth plan there are bound to be areas where self improvement did not occur or fell short of the growth intended. These areas are wonderful opportunities to learn more about yourself, since they offer likely areas to focus on in future personal development plans.
Identify each area where growth failed to meet your expectations. Why did personal improvement lag in this area? Refrain from accepting flimsy self-excuses, such as lack of time or maybe it wasn't so important. When considering each area where growth failed or lagged, what emotions do you feel? Do you notice fear or anxiety? If your goals in these areas were too ambitious you might feel helplessness or uncertainty of where and how to begin.
If you find yourself avoiding dealing with certain areas for growth, set these aside for the time being. But first, give your subconscious the problem of further understanding the issues associated with working on these area of growth.
A Vision of Success
Any plan, including a personal development plan, is only as good as the vision for success for that plan. The vision must be clear, visible, and inspiring. Revisit the vision you set in your original plan. Is it still appropriate or should it be updated based on your experiences?
Intense personal growth often opens new vistas of possibility that would previously have seemed unattainable. Success breeds success, and allows one to consider even greater success.
Develop a New Personal Growth Plan
Using the example personal development plan as a template, design a custom plan for yourself which includes the areas of past struggle, areas of growth requiring greater focus, and new areas based on your revised vision. Review successful goal setting strategies and set goals for each area of growth you intend to address.
For other ideas and a different approach to personal development planning, read a Seven Stage Personal Growth Plan.
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