Personal Development

Personal development is intentionally improving yourself so that your habits, skills, character, relationships, and decisions align with the person you want to become. Personal development is the process of improving different areas of your life over time. Personal Development is less about “ways to improve yourself” and more about understanding how change actually happens.

Knowledge, Skill, Habit or Mindset?

When we want to improve something, we need to understand what actually needs developing.

“I want to save money, but I don't understand budgeting.”
→ Knowledge

“I know what a budget is, but I spend everything anyway.”
→ Habit/discipline

“I want a better job, but I don't know how to interview.”
→ Skill

“I don't apply for better jobs because I don't think anyone will hire me.”
→ Mindset

Let’s diagnose what actually needs to change instead of simply saying, “I need to do better.”

Knowledge — What do I need to KNOW?

Sometimes we simply don't have the information we need.

Examples:

  • I don't understand credit.

  • I don't know how to create a budget.

  • I don't know what career options are available to me.

  • I don't understand how buying a home works.

  • I don't know what healthy communication looks like.

Question:

What don't I know that would make my life better if I learned it?

Skill — What do I need to LEARN HOW TO DO?

Knowing something and knowing how to do it are different.

Examples:

  • Communicating during conflict

  • Interviewing for a job

  • Cooking

  • Public speaking

  • Writing a résumé

  • Negotiating

  • Managing time

Question:

What do I need to become better at doing?

Habit — What do I need to DO CONSISTENTLY?

Sometimes you already know what to do and you know how to do it—you simply aren't doing it consistently.

Examples:

  • Arriving on time

  • Saving money

  • Exercising

  • Completing assignments

  • Keeping your space organized

  • Going to bed at a reasonable time

  • Following through on commitments

Question:

What do I already know I should be doing that I'm not doing consistently?

Mindset — What do I need to THINK DIFFERENTLY ABOUT?

Sometimes the biggest barrier isn't what you know or what you can do. It's what you believe.

Examples:

  • “I'm just bad with money.”

  • “People like me don't do that.”

  • “I'm too old/young.”

  • “I'll probably fail anyway.”

  • “That's just how I am.”

  • “I'm not smart enough.”

  • “I could never do that.”

Question:

What do I believe about myself that might be limiting what I'm willing to try?

What's Missing?

Knowledge, Skill, Habit, or Mindset?

  1. “I want to save money, but I don't understand how to make a budget.”

  2. “I know I should save money, but every payday I spend everything.”

  3. “I know I'm qualified for better jobs, but I'm terrible at interviews.”

  4. “I don't apply for better jobs because I don't think anyone would hire me.”

  5. “I want to cook instead of eating out, but I don't know how.”

  6. “I understand that exercise is important, but I never stick with it.”

  7. “I want to improve my credit, but I don't understand how credit scores work.”

  8. “I've always been told I'm not good at school, so I don't see the point in trying college.”

Diagnose Yourself

Choose one area of your life you genuinely want to improve. Complete the following sentence:

I want to improve:

To improve:

I need to KNOW?

I need to learn HOW TO DO?

I need to DO CONSISTENTLY?

I need to THINK DIFFERENTLY ABOUT?

Finally:

What do I need to develop first?

What is one thing I can do this week?