In today’s fast paced and competitive world, Personal Development is the word on everyone’s lips, but exactly does the term “Personal Development” actually cover?

Personal Development, when you really break it down, is all about furthering yourself, investing in your own growth. This is actually something that we have all be doing for all of our lives. In its basic form Personal Development is really just education for, and about ourselves. So our introduction to Personal Development was really our first day in kindergarten. Some of our lessons have been structured, some of it not so structured.

At school the lessons in the class room were akin to professional development, learning tools and knowledge to apply to “real world” scenarios. Any religious lessons or assembles, even your school rules, were all a basis for our personal development. Teaching us how to function in this world and interact with other people and yourself.

However, if we’re talking about the modern Personal Development industry then it is focus is more on understanding who we really are, finding our true potential and living a life filled with more passion and joy.

In this day and age people are constantly striving to get that “edge” over everyone else. Putting themselves in the forefront to get that job or the next big promotion. In the past this was simply a case of becoming more skilled than those around you. However, with today’s education facilities and the ease of access to knowledge; personal leadership, confidence and being a valued member of “the team” have become the new edge.

Inadvertently this race to excel and beat the next person has lead people to discover more about who they are and to follow their happiness and their bliss. We are discovering at a very fast rate that the best way to be successful is not to climb over and beat down those around us but instead it is to focus on what we are good at and do that which brings us the most joy. There are of course always some exceptions to the rule, but if you look at the majority of the BIG earners in our society, those that are successful in all areas of their life, finances, health, relationships, they are doing what they love and are giving great VALUE to those around them.

In my opinion, this is really the essence of Personal Development. It’s taking a journey to discover what makes you joyful, what you’re passionate about and that bring out your inner genius. It’s about overcoming your fears and replacing old limiting beliefs with new powerful concepts. If you take this journey and implement what you learn into your life you find it filled with more abundance, abundance of happiness, health and wealth.

All the great philosophical teachers were essentially in the Personal Development industry. Personal Development has been around since we first started to think. These great teachers searched for more meaning to life and through their teachings we are able to be better people.

Currently, the Personal Development industry is estimated to worth approx US$19Billion worldwide, with a growth rate of 20% per year! The book/movie, “The Secret” and motivational speakers like Anthony “Tony” Robbins are hot on everyone’s lips and have helped launch Personal Development into the mainstream.

Please keep in mind that you don’t need to get caught up in all the hype, that does work for some people, but others may be a quieter and not really into all the group hugs, “high fives”, chanting and walking on fire. We are all different and what works for me and the teachers I relate to may not work for you. So spend some time looking around for the guide/mentor that you feel most comfortable with. The same holds true for what media you use, some people love audio, others video, and there are millions of books out there. Go down to your local library or book shop and have a look, surf around the internet for a while and see if anything inspires you. Just find what works for you.

They say that a journey of a thousand miles starts with the first step. Believe me when I tell you that taking the first step is the hardest but as soon as you do you’ll be stepping towards a life filled with more joy, peace and prosperity. Echkart Tolle, Napoleon Hill, Bob Proctor, Jim Rohn, John Assaraf, Abraham-Hicks and Earl Knightingale are just some of the names you’ll probably encounter along the way, both from this century and the last. Go now and above all, have fun.

Iain Forrest is a successful entrepreneur with his main goal being to enable everyday people to live lives with more Abundance, Joy and Prosperity through his Personal Development Business Opportunity. If you want to find out more about “What Is Personal Development” then check out his website at www.RedefineEverything.com

Author: Iain Forrest