How to Begin Your Self-Development Journey in 3 Steps

Patrick Steed of Inspire Me shares three steps for beginning your self-development journey, which can be great for people in every level of the contact centre to employ.

My self-development journey began seven years ago when I joined Inspire Me.

I had always been passionate about developing new skills and seizing opportunities; however, I had never actively spent time investing in my personal growth.

I hadn’t realized I could focus on my mindset to help me achieve my dreams and live a happier, more enriched life.

I hadn’t realized I was in the driving seat of my own life and I could control the direction I was going.

This quote from Carl Gustav Jung sums it up perfectly…

Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.

So, if you want to begin your self-development journey, where do you start?

Step 1 – Reflect

The first action is to take some time to self-reflect.

Spend an evening to yourself. Relax, run a bath, pour a glass of wine and check in with how you are feeling.

• What are you grateful for? What do you want to change?
• Is your body energized or tired?
• How are your relationships with family and friends?
• Are you looking for love?
• Do you feel in control of your finances?
• Have you chosen your career? Or do you hate your job?
• What would you achieve if there were no limitations?
• Would you like to be more confident? Calmer? Connected?

Until there is space for the bigger questions, your mind will focus on the smaller ones. What shall I have for dinner? Did I remember to send that email at work? Will my favourite character survive the next episode of The Walking Dead?

It may take a while for these thoughts to pass so you can focus on the bigger questions.

This can only work when you are relaxed, as stress blocks the creative pathways in your mind.

Once you’ve had time to reflect, write down your thoughts.

Putting those thoughts down on paper helps them to become real and will encourage you to pursue them further.

Step 2 – Research

Now focus on one of these areas connected to your reflections.

Body. Mind. Wealth. Goals. Love. Business. Confidence.

Search for thought leaders in that field.

Look for local events or courses that give support for what you want to achieve.

Explore the internet and YouTube for free content. Often you can subscribe to email lists or channels to receive regular information.

Search the self-development top sellers list and find a book with 5-star ratings and testimonials you can connect with.

Do you feel you would learn better individually? Or in a group environment?

There are many thought leaders out there, and it’s important you find ones you resonate with. Every specialist has their own approach to self-development.

For some it’s logical, for some spiritual. For some it’s about feelings and reflection, for others it’s about plans and goals.

If you cannot connect with what they say – keep exploring! There will be many people that will be approaching it from a perspective you can get on board with.

Step 3 – Take a step

A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step

Lao Tzu

It’s a saying that is often used, and there is a reason… it’s true!

Sometimes your goals and dreams seem like a mountain that is impossible to climb.

That may make you feel there is no point taking a step, as you feel you’ll never get there. Or perhaps you feel paralysed by fear because the journey seems too long.

Just take a step.

Then one more.

And one more.

Taking a step proves you are making a commitment. Once you make a commitment, the doors will open for you.

For example, if you decide during your reflections you want a career change and you’ve always dreamed of being a photographer, your first step could be buying a photography magazine. That doesn’t seem so scary!

And perhaps there’ll be an article about the best camera to buy. Or a course you could attend. Or some photography tips that inspire you to get out of the house and start creating! And suddenly, before you’ve even realized, you’ve taken a few more steps.

Another reflection could be that you have anger issues and they’ve been destructive to some important relationships. Buy a book that will help you overcome this. Join a support group. See a therapist. Explore. Dig deep. See where it leads. One step at a time.

And perhaps you are content with how things are but see people you aspire to be more like? How does he stay calm in stressful situations? How does she have so much energy? How does he manage to get so much done? How did she come to be so wealthy?

There are methods behind the magic. And the methods can be learned.

It is easy to make assumptions. That person is just naturally happy (perhaps, or they’ve read seven books, attended three seminars and had a year’s worth of therapy to get to that place?).

That person must have inherited lots of money (perhaps, or they’ve worked hard to get there and invested time and energy into understanding business, marketing and investments to create a better life for themselves and their family?).

We live in an information age.

All the information is at our fingertips.

All the courses and books and events and webinars and retreats and workshops and podcasts and blogs are accessible!

Reflect. Research. Take a step. Go on a journey. What will you discover?

Thanks for reading.