Often called self-growth and self-improvement, personal growth comprises several techniques for improving one’s emotional, intellectual, social, financial, and spiritual state. It requires determination, desire, motivation, and willingness to create the changes and be more positive in life. By undergoing the personal growth process, you can utilize your full potential, boost your confidence. It even allows you to discover new talents and skills that will benefit both your personal and professional development.
People going through personal growth should first recognize the universal truth – self-growth is a personalized journey. Every person is unique, and so is the road they take to bettering themselves. Pretty simple concept, right? But the barriers along the way are not. Those obstacles can be hard or even possible to overcome if one doesn’t have an open mind and strong will. Interested in learning about these barriers towards self-growth? Read on.
- You have undefined goals
A mission without clear goals is doomed to fail. How can you grow and move on to a better life if you don’t know what you’re after in life? By having unfocused goals, you are literally giving yourself little control over the things that you want. What to get a house of your own? Determine your payment options. Is it going to be by your own cash or through a USDA home loan? When do you want to achieve it? At what age?
Or, perhaps, you’re looking to work overseas? What kind of position are you targeting? How soon can you achieve it? Answering such simple answers will give you defined goals and the focus to make them happen.
- You being a perfectionist
Some have high regard for perfectionism, but on most days, it’s not a good thing. In the psychology of perfectionism, several studies found that it is complex. Let’s say you’re a perfectionist. You might have a higher level of conscientiousness and motivation to produce flawless work than others.
The downside is, you are also more open to higher levels of anxiety, burnout, and stress. In fact, perfectionism is associated with a long list of clinical issues such as self-harm, obsessive-compulsive disorder, anorexia, agoraphobia, insomnia, and tons more.
Non-perfectionists, on the other hand, have flexible standards and an open mind to improving their skills and knowledge and evaluating their behavior without being overly critical. Stop aiming for perfection and start focusing on excellence.
- You always procrastinate
Most of us love procrastinating, that it diverts us from taking control of our time and energy. It’s like letting yourself sit in the back seat while something else is driving your own car. This kind of self-regulating failure can impact almost every aspect of your life, from having no time for personal hobbies to missing out on work deadlines. There can even be episodes that it results in depression, guilt, and reduced productivity.
Regain control over your time and energy and commit to the tasks you have on hand. If you need to write them all down every day, do it! Need help from a friend or family member? Ask for it.; Avoid self-sabotage and minimize distractions.
- You have no personal responsibility
Are you relegating your personal responsibility? If yes, then you are only delaying the growth even longer. You need to recognize the things you are 100% responsible for. It’s always easy to blame someone, but believe us, that won’t get you anywhere. Your feelings do not relate to external situations such as successfully getting a job or not or being late. It’s the internal thoughts. It is up to you, and you only, to live the life that you want. Take full responsibility.
- You are unknowingly resisting
Want to enjoy a good life? Give up the resistance. Understand your reality and accept that it’s part of progress. According to Eckhart Tolle, accepting your reality is the only way to move forward – find a solution! Surrendering to the Now will help you determine what you should focus on and find a rope you can hold on to and get you out in that mud you’re stuck with. And that’s the only way you can see the opportunities that you neglected before.
If you’re determined to take on the path towards personal development, you should see the above difficulties as triggers to learning self-awareness and achieving success. Make use of the wide range of self-development techniques such as meditation, repeating affirmations, creative visualization, or even counseling. Do what works for you and your individual journey, and attracting happiness, love, money, and success will absolutely come a bit easier.