Becoming a Personal Development Junkie

When I was in school, I was convinced that formal education was how you learned things and that the result of years of hard work in classrooms would result in immediate success in the real world. Wow, how wrong could I have been?

Photo Credit: See-ming Lee ??? SML

Formal education makes you a better professor, not a better businessman, spouse, marathon runner, or goal achiever. When I say that the goal is all-encompassing self-improvement, I mean it. I once heard a famous speaker define success as “making forward progress for 18 hours a day, every day.” That’s a great place to start.

I am a personal growth junky. I preach this stuff because I live, eat, and breathe it. I am consumed with books, blogs, podcasts, business ideas, self-improvement programs, 30-day trials, goal-achievement strategies, sales skills, financial tips, health advice, spiritual guidance, and one-on-one coaching. (This list could go on, but it’s probably too long already).

Here’s my goal: devote my life to self-improvement – every day, in every way, always becoming better and better.

I live for growth. I am on a constant search for new opportunities to improve my life in any way that I can. Obviously, I do try to focus on only a few things at a time, but I am easily distracted by shiny objects.

Finding Balance

I worked hard to experience all life has to offer – especially the stuff that doesn’t fit into a neat little box.

I strive to make this happen more often with a well-balanced life. However, balance is not a daily activity. If anything, I seek to balance out my life on an annual basis. What I mean is that it’s ludicrous to think I can give equal weight to my health, relationships, business, spirituality, money, and career every single day. It’s just too much.

So, what do I do? Projects and priorities.

It all starts with knowing what I want to accomplish and intentionally scheduling everything I can in advance. Some things can be done in huge chunks (like cleaning out my apartment or completing a 30-day trial on a new diet), while other things (like making time for my wife or showering), have to be addressed much more frequently.

Where it All Began

If you’ve read my book, you know that I am highly fanatical about non-fiction books, especially ones on finance, entrepreneurship, and natural health. I give all the credit to this phenomena in my life to a man I hated for 9 weeks, my former employer, Mr. Moon Whang.

Moon was a great boss, but I didn’t understand him, his business strategies, or the silly sales games he would make me play. I was required to work long hours, sell products I didn’t like, and read books he told me would “change my life.”

All in all, I was disgusted with my experience and wanted nothing to do with him, his cheesy sales company, or any of the ridiculous training that he promised would increase my sales.

Something Remarkable

During my last week on the job I started reading a book Moon recommended, John Maxwellís Your Road Map For Success.

Up until that point in time I had only used a highlighter in college textbooks to make cramming for tests a little easier. When I found myself using a highlighter in this book, I was a little thrown off. The text was incredibly easy to follow, unmistakably genuine, and remarkably inspirational. I was hooked.

I knew that I would quit my job for a dozen reasons, but something about this book changed me. I began reading other books on personal finance, internet business, leadership, and spirituality.

I discovered the self-help section in book stores and become a personal development junky. I was reading faster than I could comprehend the information and I didn’t see an end in sight.

Tip of the Iceberg

Fast forward one year and I had run my first marathon, got engaged to the girl of my dreams, moved 1,000 miles across the country, and cut up all of my credit cards. One year later, I had started a blog, changed jobs three times, began writing my book, and discovered my love for mind-bending documentaries. Another year after that, I finished my book, become a raw vegan, and ran my first ultramarathon.

Finally, in the last twelve months, I was promoted twice at my day job, found Jesus, completed a half-marathon, full marathon, ultramarathon, and a 200-mile relay race, and I have just recently put together a plan for my next business.

This sequence of events is not meant to shock you. For me, this is just the tip of the iceberg for what personal development can do. It has literally changed my life. I am a completely different person than I was four years ago when I sat down with Moon Whang and told him why I really wanted to sell Verizon Business Phone Service to unwilling patrons in Southeastern Massachusetts.

Where Do I Go From Here?

Anywhere. I can literally pick up a good book, learn something new, and change anything I want about my life. Thinking about starting your own business online? Look no further than Tim Ferriss. Considering losing a few pounds after the holidays? The 80/10/10 Diet will surely redirect those fat cells to someone else, forever.

I highly recommend consuming everything in Success Magazine and reading Darren Hardyís book, The Compound Effect. These two resources will surely point you in the right direction.

I’m serious when I say that personal development can change anything about who you are, where you want to go, and how you will enjoy the ride along the way. Genuine change takes time, but it only takes an instant to change your mind. Pick up a good book today. If you need another recommendation, start with mine. Cheers!