Why Seek Personal Growth?

Self-improvement can help one regain or increase his/her self-esteem. Once we know that we can actually improve something about ourselves, we grow to believe that we are capable beings, which then gives us more trust and confidence in ourselves. Regaining or increasing self-esteem is important because high self-esteem contributes to better health and social behaviors. Meanwhile, low self-esteem is related to multiple mental and social problems.

Maybe there is something about your life you dislike. But what if in order for that to change you need to change first? Maybe it is your outlook, maybe it is attitude, maybe behavior. All these mean you need to work on yourself a little bit. Some people believe if you are not growing, you are in fact (slowly) “dying”.

Understanding our own strengths and weaknesses and then seeking self-improvements also helps us deal with a variety of situations better. We can utilize our strengths effectively while not letting those weaknesses hinder us. We can take on a task at work that we know is a good fit, while saying NO to something that we know we would struggle with (smart employers understand and encourage this!). I usually recommend people ENHANCE their innate talents instead of trying to get good at everything (It is not possible anyway…sorry…) 

How to do this?

1. Identify 5 character strengths of yours 

2. Use those strengths in a new or different way for one week. 

How to seek growth?

Prepare yourself mentally by cultivating a growth mindset: One should believe that he/she does have the capability to grow or to improve whatever he/she is trying to work on. Research has shown that if we believe that we have fixed attributes (i.e., personal characteristics that cannot be changed), we are the ones who prevent ourselves from embracing opportunities to grow and engaging in self-growth activities. You can read a lot about neuroplasticity here, which provides the biological mechanism that enables us to change and adapt throughout a lifetime.

Have realistic expectations. Unrealistic expectations can give rise to mental stress and deplete one’s cognitive resources, which, as a result, increase the likelihood of failure. I find that many people do not know themselves very well. They put themselves in situations, jobs, relationships that do not make them happy. It just isn’t a fit you know what I mean? Even therapy isn’t going to fix it. People with ADHD do way better being chefs than credit analysts. This is just how their brain works! It’s conducive to multitasking, fast pace environments. It is not great with excel sheets. And there is not an amount of medication that can change who we are fundamentally! And I know one does not go from one profession to the other just like that but you know what I mean. Stop trying to be someone different from who you are. You gotta work with what you have. And it is a good thing! You can get better and better what you are already good at. Plus, learn a new thing here and there on a hobby level. It helps you stay young, on a cellular level.

Create a life that celebrates You.