Our world is rapidly changing. As a result, the need for personal development strategies is growing. The fast-past switch between careers is one example of this. Today, the average person switches careers between 5-7 times, and this trend is growing. So much so that Forbes is calling job hopping, the ‘new normal’ for Millennials.
The Personal Development Need
My grandfather worked for General Dynamics for as long as I can remember. My dad took a similar path. He became a high school teacher shortly after I was born. He continued with this career for the next 30 years, until he retired. Jenny and I have already switched careers five times, between the two of us. The statistics suggest that our children will exceed this.
I’m not suggesting that change is a bad thing. For me, switching careers from a children’s pastor to a therapist, was a blessing in disguise. It was not an easy transition, but it was worth it. However, the downside of change is that it involves starting over–and this can be stressful. [Tweet “Feeling stuck usually precedes positive changes and breakthroughs.”] In today’s episode, Etienne, Chatiela, and I discuss personal development strategies for getting unstuck. Because Starting over is becoming increasingly common, personal development skills that help us gracefully navigate change, and rebuild momentum, are needed more than ever.
Personal Development Skills for Momentum and Growth
If your are:
- Searching for a new job.
- Recovering from a painful divorce.
- Feeling stuck in your career.
- About to embark on a new new season of life.
The skills we discuss today are for you. These personal development tools are the same strategies that each of us have used–and are continuing to implement–when we face new challenges.
Personal Development Skill #1: Focus on your ten year goal.
Bill gates said, “Most people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in ten years.” If you feel stuck, choose a wise direction and start down your path. Focus on where you will be ten years now. Delay gratification. Do the difficult work, now and enjoy the pay-off in the future.
Personal Development Skill #2: Make the best bad choice.
I would never encourage anyone to make a bad choice–yet, sometimes everyone option feels bad. Letting go of a dream is difficult. [Tweet “Doing something is almost always better than doing nothing. #momentum”] Momentum is rebuilt through action. Making the best bad choice means choosing to do the best we can with what we have. It involves letting go of the past and rebuilding momentum one positive step at a time.
I dedicated an entire chapter to this powerful personal development skill in Coffee Shop Inspirations. I believe in this tool so strongly that I am giving this book away. It’s my way of cheering you on, in you personal development journey: Coffee Shop Inspirations: Simple Strategies for Building Dynamic Leadership and Relationships.
Personal Development Skill #3: Focus on how life is unfair, in your favor.
Life isn’t fair. We know this. Nevertheless, when the words, “It’s not fair” are spoken, they almost always carry a negative connotation. Yet, there is an abundance of ways that life is unfair to our advantage. Regain momentum by honing in on the ways that life is unfair in your favor. Here are some real-life, unfair advantages that I am blessed with:
- I am married to a beautiful, fun, and joy-filled woman.
- I have three happy, and healthy daughters.
- Jenny and I are excitedly expecting the arrival of Emma in April.
- We have a wonderful home and jobs we love.
- We are loved by God.
These incredible, God given gifts are unfair. Our family did nothing to deserve them. Yet we are blessed by them! [Tweet “Use unfair to get unstuck, by focusing on the ways life is unfair in your favor!”]
Personal Development Skill #4: Use better self-talk.
Self-talk, describes the ongoing conversation in our head. The renowned therapist Albert Ellis–The founder of Rational Emotive Behavioral Therapy–wrote about self-talk statements that drag us down. These include the phrases:
- “It’s awful.”
- “It’s horrible.”
- “I can’t stand this.”
This type of self-talk keeps us stuck. Albert Ellis was an expert at helping people dispute irrational beliefs, and change them. One of my favorite replacement statements is “Do the work, and you’ll get there when you get there.”
This personal development strategy is about moving forward, one step at a time. It’s a reminder that great things start slowly. [Tweet “Don’t fret and don’t quit when your journey takes longer than expected–this is normal!”]
Personal Development Skill #5: Enlist the support of friends.
Etienne, Chatiela, and I have all gone though unique personal storms. We all agree that good friendships are key to arriving safely on the other side. Surrounding ourselves with friends who cheer us on is one of the most powerful personal development strategies I know!
Personal Development Live
Without any further ado, here is our live conversation on personal development strategies for getting unstuck.
Have any of these personal development strategies worked for you? What personal development skills do you use to get unstuck? We look forward to continuing the conversation in the comments below!
I’m smiling from ear to ear! I’ve been blogging consistently since 2012 and currently feel stuck. I enjoyed all your suggestions but LOVE “Focus on how life is unfair, in your favor.” I immediately started making a list. Would you mind if I wrote a post link back to your blog about this idea? Perspective and positive attitude are powerful when building momentum. I really appreciate your encouragement.
Hey Angela,
I’m so glad you found these ideas helpful. And please feel free to borrow any of them. I got the idea of listing ways that life is unfair in our favor, from my friend Erik Tyler. He wrote an inspiring post about this you may want to check out: https://thebestadvicesofar.wordpress.com/2015/07/24/life-is-unfair/
Wishing you an incredible week!
Thanks Jed! I’ll do that.
“Make the best bad choice”. That is a good way of looking at it! Thanks for sharing that new perspective
I like this mentality “Do the work, and you’ll get there when you get there.” The work always needs to be done, if it doesn’t get done you can’t move forward. Even if it is the wrong way, at least you’re doing something.
Focus on how life is unfair in your favor is a great strategy. I love how it puts things back in perspective for me.
You several good strategies to help people to move forward. I particularly like “Do the work and you will get there when you get there.” So many times I’ve felt like certain things in my life that I want to come to pass is taking too long. I will have to keep your motto in mind.
Wonderful tips! Totally awesome way to gain positive attitude and momentum.
Very encouraging to read amidst a discouraging work environment, for sure! My husband and I are determined to be our own bosses ever since he had had enough of all the negativity and useless petty social competition that went on at his workplace. It has really worked for us. We still get stuck in business of course, but it’s so much better than working for someone else and having your worth be determined by others on a daily basis.
Some of these tips no one suggest but are great ideas.
I love these “out of the box” tips. I think it’s all about how we look at things that will help us grow and develop. I love the idea of changing our perspective to think through certain things. Thanks for sharing!
The concept of using positive phrases make a huge difference
Doing something is better than doing nothing. Great point. Sometimes I get so overwhelmed that I almost get frozen. When I get like that I usually try to pray for God to put in front of me things I can do, what He wants me to tackle, and helps me get on my way. Always makes me feel less stuck. And if He wants me to wait on Him in some area, I usually feel my bible calling instead of a task. Love how that works. Such a lovely God we serve.
What an encouragement this post is! What especially struck me is the talk about “delayed gratification.” I was just thinking about that last night and how I feel I’m constantly in that state, but I have to remind myself, there is a greater purpose behind it, something better. Love these words, “do the difficult work, now and enjoy the pay-off in the future.” Just tweeted it. Thank you for this post.
Good thoughts to consider. I am at a point of transition in my life. The 10 year goal is something to consider.
thanks so much for these tips! I definitely need this encouragement and optimism today 🙂
I love the thought that my life is completely and inequitably better than I realize! So often our self talk makes us discontented. Good post for a Friday!
I really need to use better self-talk, it’s a small thing that can make a huge difference. #FridayFrivolity
These are great! I really learned the importance of positive self talk when I lost my dream job and was looking for a new job. Thanks for sharing on the Small Victories Sunday Linkup!
I really like the idea of focusing better on a 10-yr goal. So often, people get discouraged when they fall short of the year’s goal, but planning for a bigger goal over a bit more time allows for some grace when that happens. Thanks for joining us at #FridayFrivolity and hope to see you again!
Being at a job that makes someone feel stuck, also effects other parts of that person’s life. My father in law recently made the decision to get another job after working for a company for 20 years, but he was not appreciated or happy there. He has been in his new job for 2 months and what a change has come over him! It’s crazy to think that the future generations will have to change careers and jobs as rapidly as we are today. Thanks for sharing with #SocialButterflySunday! Hope to see you link up again this week 🙂
This is fantastic! I love #4. Personal self talk is something that can be so detrimental to a person’s morale and self image. Making it positive can really change one’s perspective on themselves and their life.
Thanks for sharing on the Shine Blog Hop!
Great tips you have here! Thanks for liking with #momsterslink.