Personal Growth Ideas and Challenges for 2017

If you can look back at the past year and honestly say you don’t think you’ve progressed or grown as a person, firstly, you’re not alone.

Secondly, you probably moved forward a little more than you’re giving yourself credit for so don’t be too hard on yourself.

And, thirdly, don’t fear – you can do something about this year.

It’s never too late to work on your own development and growth as a person. It takes concerted effort however, you need to plan what you’re going to do and have the motivation to execute it.

In this post, you’ll find some challenges and personal growth ideas to get you started. I use the word ‘challenges’ as it’s a challenge to execute new things, but it’s really not difficult if you want it.

Take a look and see which resonate with you and which you can incorporate into your life. Let’s make this a year of exceptional personal growth, good fortune, and success!

Personal Growth Ideas and Challenges for 2017

Do That ‘Thing’ You’ve Been Putting Off

We all have a list of thing we put off for one reason or another. Most people I work with say they don’t have the time or the money to do what they want. Yet, when we start breaking down their goals they could make the time, or find the money.

Write down a few of the things you’ve been putting off. Then write down your excuse next to them. See a common theme? Now find a way around whatever the excuse is, it’s surprisingly easy when you really want to.

Step outside of Your Comfort Zone

This is something I talk about a lot because it’s important. It’s also something I do myself too, last year I did a bungee jump (which I thought I’d never do, and probably won’t do again!) and ran a half marathon.

Taking risks means greater rewards. It feels invigorating to do something out of your comfort zone, the adrenalin, the rush, you just can’t replicate the feelings without doing something that pushes the boundaries!

Be Self-Introspective

Being self-introspective means looking into your conscious thoughts and feelings. Quite the shock for some people. If you’ve never done this it can be very profound, ask yourself questions about what you want from life and how you’re currently getting there.

Doing this helps you to see patterns and bad habits. It helps you to make rational decisions based on your conscience feelings, which are usually better decisions based on facts rather than haste or emotions.

Give Back and Believe in Karma

I’m often asked if karma is real or exists. I always say – yes. I don’t mean so in the literal sense that you’re thinking however. Doing one good deal doesn’t mean you will get one back for the universe to balance itself.

But giving back and doing good for friends, family, and community, will bring good fortune to you. Good things happen to good people, not because it’s karma, but because people appreciate seeing it and will want to return in kind.

Start Meditating

There are more reasons that I can list as to why meditating is good for your mental, physical, and spiritual well-being. As if that wasn’t enough for you, meditating gives you time to think, reflect, and grow as a person.

It’s one of the easier challenges to give yourself this year. Just start with a couple of minutes a day. There are plenty of free resources on YouTube to use as guidance. Believe in it and you will see positive effects, I can guarantee it.

Let Go of Negative Thoughts and Feelings

Most of us are carrying a burden of negative thoughts or feelings with us. That’s exactly what it is, a burden. You need to let go of any negativity if you’re going to be able to move on and grow as a person.

Whatever it is and whatever it takes, you need to work on this aspect of your life. If you need to ask for help then take that step too.

Practice Being Mindful

Being mindful means focusing on the moment. Being aware of your own self, acknowledging how you’re feeling, what you’re thinking, and all of your bodily sensations. It’s widely used as a therapeutic technique and can help you grow as a person.

Mindfulness helps us be more aware of who we are and how well we’re doing. The more aware we are of how we really feel, the easier it is to make the right steps to improve and grow in the right directions.

Love Yourself

We are all our worst critics and can find faults in ourselves that others can’t. But why do we do this? Loving ourselves isn’t something that comes naturally for most, yet we can’t really love others and let ourselves grow if we don’t love ourselves.

This means accepting your little faults and mishaps. We all have them. Looking after your health, practicing self-development, and spreading some of that love around.

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There you have it, plenty of personal growth ideas and challenges for 2017 to consider. Whichever you choose and whatever you decide to do, the important thing is to take that first step in the right direction.

The first step is always the most difficult and is the what’s stopping most people from growing, developing new skills, and living the life they want to live.

Don’t look back on another year and say, ‘I wish I’d done something about it this year’. Look back and say, ‘taking action this year was the best decision I ever made’.

Good luck, and here’s to another great year behind us and another one to follow!