
One thing I have been learning is that real and lasting growth must be intentional and obvious.
And the best part is that we get to choose what type of life we want to live
Do you agree?
The quote below gives this greater meaning:
“One can choose to go back toward safety or forward toward growth. Growth must be chosen again and again; fear must be overcome again and again.”
Abraham Maslow
This quote from Abraham Maslow, who is most famous for Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, highlights two key things:
- Growth is a continuous process. You could almost say it is a daily practice.
- Fear is an obstacle to growth and one we continually overcome.
Before we go any further, let’s discuss what personal growth is.
What is personal growth.
Personal growth or personal development is the process of acknowledging, identifying, and working on different areas of our life to elevate and advance our life experience.
Personal growth may take different forms. it may mean:
- Stopping a habit or starting a new habit
- Learning a new skill
- Exploring new places and ideas
- Connecting with people and deepening existing relationships
At the heart of a personal growth lifestyle is the realisation that we have the agency to change our lives.
We recognise that we have the power to make choices that will either hamper or propel our growth.
Why personal growth should matter to you.
Growth is our way of keeping up with change.
Change is inevitable but we get to choose if we grow to meet these changes or not. And when we choose not to grow, we are not actually standing still but stagnating or in a process of decline, since life is never lived in a spot.
It is either progressing or declining.
Since you’re reading this, I imagine that you believe in personal development and are interested in building up the right growth habits.
One great thing about focusing on your personal growth as you plan to transform an area of your life (your career, finances, or health), is that it often spills over into other areas of your life.
Another way to look at personal growth is that it should, no matter how small, improve the quality of your life. This is particularly important if you are seeking to build a life of meaning and to achieve your life purpose.
You do not want to spend time on things that will diminish the quality of your life or sabotage your future self.

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FIVE PERSONAL GROWTH HABITS TO PRACTICE DAILY
We can cultivate a personal growth mindset by nurturing certain habits. These habits are not only good to have but are also daily practices that will change your life for good. Here are five personal growth habits to practice today.
- Set your daily priorities.
One of the fastest ways to grow and transform your life is to focus on the right things each day.
One key personal growth habit is to set and commit to your daily priorities. Those activities you need to undertake each day to propel your goals and life.
2. Journal
Journaling has become a popular habit amongst many lifestyle coaches and consultants and for good reason. This may be because of its obvious benefits or the fact that journaling has been distinguished from the childhood habit of keeping a diary.
Journaling as a growth habit helps you do a few things:
- Document your progress.
- Refine your thoughts and ideas.
- Act as a record and a source of encouragement
- Build your identity.
- Prioritise your values.
- Express gratitude for the highs and lows of life.
I have experienced all these benefits and more since I started journaling in January 2019. I can confidently say that my personal journaling habit has been one of my most impactful growth habits.
It has allowed me to process my feelings and thoughts and get a better bearing on who I am and my journey to becoming a better version of myself.
3. Read for at least 30 mins each day.
The benefits of reading cannot be overemphasised. You would find many self-help and motivational gurus tout these reasons, and I certainly agree.
According to Jim Kwik, reading can help reduce stress, improve your mental health, increase your life span and of course, expand your knowledge.
Reading can also help you explore the new areas of work you are looking to consider. A win-win.
If you looking for ways to read regularly, then you can consider getting a Kindle.
The Kindle Scribe is such a great option as it allows you take notes while reading. It comes with a pen. You can learn more about it here.
If you prefer reading on the go, then you should consider getting an audio version. Audible is a pretty popular option for thousands of book readers.

4. Walk for a minimum of 30mins daily.
Ralph Waldo Emerson, a great thinker of the 20th century was known for his extended habit of walking, he would together with his friend and fellow author, Henry David Thoreau take walks from his home to Thoreau’s cabin at Walden Pond, where they would converse and explore their surroundings.
Walking is an incredible win for anyone who intends to build a lifestyle of self-improvement and growth.
One of my favourite quotes about walking is from Danish author, poet, and philosopher, Sfren Kierkegaard, who said:
“Above all, do not lose your desire to walk: Every day I walk myself into a state of well-being and walk away from every illness; I have walked into my best thought, and I know of no thoughts so burdensome that one cannot walk away from it.”
Soren Kierkegaard (in a letter to his bedridden sister-in-law in 1847)
Walking:
- Clears the mind.
- It gives you a chance to explore your environment.
- It makes room for thinking (and praying)
- Which leads to new ideas and solutions to existing or future issues.
- It counts as exercise.
5. Research and learn new things.
Get in the habit of building up your knowledge base.
As a new or budding entrepreneur and innovator, I imagine that there are novel concepts and fascinating aspects of your work. How much time do you dedicate to learning and growing in these areas?
It is not enough to identify your passion. That is only the first step, it is our responsibility to develop and equip ourselves to be able to achieve our life goals.
HOW AND WHEN TO START
“Do not wait until the conditions are perfect to begin. Beginning makes the conditions perfect.”
Alan Cohen
You probably know that finding the perfect time to start something is an elusive dream. It is an illusion that keeps us guessing and often leaves us too scared to act.
In essence, the best time to start incorporating these growth habits into your daily routine is today, right now.
You can start with all five or choose at least 3 areas you want to incorporate into your daily routines.
We have created a free weekly PERSONAL GROWTH HABIT CHECKLIST to help you stay focused and consistent in building these habits. You can access the checklist here.
Some great suggestions. I must get back into Journaling, it was really helpful when I did it consistently. Reading & walking are great habits that help me relax and re-energize.
Journaling is a big help to personal development, thanks for sharing these great tips!
I appreciate your thoughts on the subject. Thank you for sharing.
I need to catch up on work so I can start to read 30 minutes a day. I managed to somehow get 30 minutes of working out done while walking my dog. So, that’s something!
Journaling has been a big step for me. I have been doing it every day for about 5 months. It has helped keep me focused.
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