Tips for Setting Self-Development Goals

If you want to live a successful life, then you need to work on your self-development. Being able to analyze your strengths and weaknesses to focus on being a better person, a better Christ-follower, a better employee or business owner, will get you ahead in life.

Most people do not work on their self-development; instead, they procrastinate. But if an individual embraces a growth mindset, sets goals, and work on themselves, the possibilities are unlimited.

Why pursue self-development?

There are certain times of the year when people want to make a fresh start: New Year’s Day, the beginning of a new season or month, or the beginning of a new school year. Personal development is one area of growth that you can pursue at any time, and it never stops.

To grow in all areas of your life, you should explore opportunities for self-development. It is also helpful to assess your strengths and weaknesses, to ensure your ability to effectively communicate with others, and build emotional resilience. It is never too late to pursue self-development.

The most common self-development goals

The following is a list of options to help you to get started:

Learn to set goals

When was the last time you made a list of goals for your life? No one can focus on growth if they are unsure of where they are headed. By setting goals, you become clear in the vision you see for your life. Your list of goals should cover every area of your life: family, finances, relationships, career, health, skills, and entertainment. You may be able to add more areas to the list.

Each goal should follow the S.M.A.R.T. formula as each should be specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and with a set time. For example, if you want to buy a house, your goal might read, “I want to purchase a $250,000 house in the new subdivision in town by this time next year.” Once you have listed your specific and clear goals with deadlines, make a list of tasks you need to complete to reach those goals in time.

Nurture your relationships

As we get older and tackle more responsibilities, we can let relationships fall to the wayside. But we were created for community and relationships and need at least a small social circle. When you need support, it is these deep relationships that you can depend on.

Relationships take work, and you must be willing to put in the effort. You can set goals to connect and strengthen your relationships. For example, carve out an afternoon to have coffee with a friend at the beginning of each month or schedule an evening to have dinner with another friend.

Strengthen your marriage

Regarding relationships, the most important one in your life should be the one with your spouse or significant other. Unfortunately, with the hectic schedules and workdays, the relationship with our spouse ends up being the last on the list.

Self-development in this area means nurturing the relationship and learning how to be a better spouse. If you are engaged or involved in a serious relationship that you believe will lead to marriage, now is the time to seek Premarital Counseling and advice on becoming the spouse God intended for you to be.

Learn time management skills

If you want to be productive, you must learn how to manage your time better. Time management is one of the most requested courses in self-development. You can learn how to eliminate procrastination, prioritize what is important, delegate other tasks, and make decisions easier.

You can also implement time management techniques like the Pomodoro Technique, in which you focus on a task for twenty-five minutes and then take a five-minute break before doing another block of time. You accomplish more throughout your workday by focusing solely on your task for those twenty-five minutes.

Adopt a teachable spirit

In order to grow, you need to remain open and teachable throughout your life. There is always room for improvement. When we allow ego and pride to take over, we harden our hearts and minds and block any chance of learning a new skill.

Learning new things will keep your mind young and sharp, as you age. You can start at any age and work toward learning something new.

Work toward professional and spiritual development

Self-development encompasses professional and spiritual development. In order to achieve a well-rounded work-life balance, you must focus on meeting goals in your career and spiritual walk.

What would help you further your career? Do you need to learn how to communicate for better sales? What about connecting with the women at your church? Is there a Bible study you can join to form new friendships? Brainstorm new goals in various areas.

Study leadership skills

Even if you never plan to assume a leadership role at work, remember that in your relationships, others look to you to lead them. Other organizations may need your skills to develop a new project. Learning leadership skills extends to how you carry yourself. A good leader serves others, holds themselves to a higher standard, and manages conflict with firmness, kindness, and grace.

Simplify your surroundings

Living on less can simplify your life and teach you to separate yourself from excess. This does not mean you must forgo every convenience to live a simple life. It means taking an assessment of the things that mean something to you and discarding the rest. You can also apply this principle to your schedule. Simplify and prioritize it so that the relationships, hobbies, and events that matter most to you are on your schedule.

Set health goals

Self-development goes beyond the psychological; it includes the physical body. You want to live and implement a healthier lifestyle, in order to tackle that list of goals and live longer. You will want to eat a balanced diet and spend some time every day strengthening your heart.

There are plenty of workout programs and nutrition books online, but it may be worth it for you to speak to a Nutritionist about a customized plan for a healthier life. Focus on your progress, not the results, as you make eating right and exercise a habit.

Learn how to communicate effectively

Are you aware that not everyone communicates in the same style? Some people are an open book and will tell you everything; others are detail-oriented and get to the point without the small talk. Then you have other people who would give the shirt off their backs to please the person standing in line behind them at the coffeehouse.

You cannot communicate effectively with each person using the same style and phrasing. Communication skills are critical in every area of your life. If you need help understanding how to reach people, contact our office today and speak with a Counselor.

Set non-negotiable boundaries

Self-development includes creating non-negotiable boundaries. If you have never set limits before, certain toxic people in your life may take advantage of the level of access they have to you.

You do not need to be unkind, only firm, clear, and consistent. Once you set a boundary, remember it is non-negotiable. If you allow someone to disrespect you, they will continue to do so. A licensed mental health professional can help you create and enforce boundaries in your life to grow without the toxicity and drama.

Need help with self-development?

Are you ready to start working on self-development, but not sure where to start? Need a step-by-step plan customized to you? Reach out to our offices today, and we will connect you with a Counselor specializing in personal, professional, and spiritual development.