It’s All About You
Personal Development for the New Year
It all began with Zig Ziglar at the See You at the Top Conference, circa 1978. My dad invited me to attend the conference as a sophomore in High School. My first dose of personal development. Zig’s energy and story of priming the pump (priming the pump is equivalent to growing – reading books, listening to tapes). I realized then, to reach my full potential, it was important to take time and focus on my own personal growth.
Consider the following areas to begin your personal development plan: Leadership, Sales Skills, Communication and Professional Networking. Once an area has been identified, select tools that will help you with your personal development plan.
- Create a Booklist, based on leadership skills, that you wish to read in 2016. The Maxwell Daily Reader: 365 Days of Insight to Develop the Leader Within You and Influence Those Around You, by John C. Maxwell is an excellent choice to launch the new year. Maxwell helps start each day with a nugget of truth. Identify other authors that interest you such as Brian Tracy, Seth Godin and Chris Widener, just a few of my favorites.
- Listen to Podcasts. Grab your smartphone and download itunes (iPhone) or Stitcher (android). Search for the skills you desire to grow. Leadership skills are available on the podcasts. Andy Stanley, a leading trainer, shares an engaging podcast, Leadership. Podcasts are a great avenue to listen to favorite authors.
- Begin a Journal. Jim Rohn says, “A life worth living is a life worth recording.” Set a goal to enter quick notes into your journal on a daily basis. Journaling is a powerful tool to capture wins and challenges. Spend time at the end of each week reviewing and reflecting on your insights.
While journaling on my first speaking tour, I wrote the details of each seminar. Due to high attendance, I was struggling to interact with each participant. By jotting down daily notes (rearranged tables, walking down the aisles) and reflecting on the possibilities, I made a huge discovery. It was the realization that I needed to learn how to move throughout the conference room to make a personal connection (not move the tables!) This reflection process changed my whole approach, allowing me to have a high level of engagement with the audience.
Get started on your journal today, it will make a difference.
Each journey begins with a single step. With these simple ideas, your personal development plan for the new year is off and running. As you implement these ideas, be sure to share your progress with me via email or Facebook
To your success,
Warren Wandling