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Why Is Personal Growth and Development Important?

If you are interested in improving yourself, overcoming personal challenges and contributing meaningfully to society, the self-help and personal development industry provides millions of resources through books, CDs, DVDs, workshops, radio programs and online products and services.

  1. Definition

    • Personal growth involves self-responsibility in healing life aspects--including career, love and health--through methods such as changing your thoughts, working with attraction principles and starting a spiritual path.

    History

    • Samuel Smiles (1812-1904), a pioneer of the personal growth and development movement, was a Scottish reformer who authored the book "Self-Help," based on a series of self-improvement lectures.

    Significance

    • According to a 2006 study compiled by Marketdata Enterprises, the motivational or self-improvement market contributes to a $9.6 billion worldwide industry of personal-growth products and services.

    Benefits

    • A dedicated journey of personal growth and development can help you discover your life's purpose, conquer fears, manage stress, enhance overall well-being, improve interpersonal relationships and attract prosperity.

    Function

    • Personal development guru Steve Pavlina suggests four places to begin the ongoing process of self-guided improvement: your weakest area, your physical body, your intuition and your greatest fear.

    Considerations

    • In your quest to gain insight and evolve consciously, you must recognize and transcend barriers to personal growth and development, such as procrastination, apathy and temporary failure.

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