Personal Development

In 2014 when I started my business, I was encouraged to read by other people within the business, all of whom had great success. One piece of advice that I was given over and over again, was to always be on a journey of Personal Development and Self-Improvement. I have mentioned this before in a previous post, but feel it has been such an important thing in my life, I want to dedicate a whole piece just on this area!

I used to read everyday, but since the stroke, reading as been very difficult, the stroke mainly affected areas 1, 3, and 9 on the diagram. For me, this resulted in impaired peripheral vision to the upper right quadrant, so as I am reading I struggle to fully see all the words. The other day I had a really hard time trying to figure out a word, most of the time I can make correct educated guesses, but this word had me stumped... I read it as immeasurable... apparently it was insurmountable

I hadn't read anything remotely motivational, inspiring or developmental since November and to be honest, I didn't feel terribly different during that time, I had read so many different books and was more or less living by what I had read. However I did notice my motivation slipping a lot.

My husband recently changed jobs and now doesn't have to leave for work at the crack of dawn, so now, we both get up about 30 - 40 minutes earlier than we need to, we go downstairs and have half an hour of reading. I must admit, I am much slower than before as it takes so much more concentration, and I have to keep stopping when I cannot figure a word out and have to ask for help! But what I have found it incredible!!

Although I didn't think I was feeling different, I was. Most days I was getting up and going what I needed to do, and getting by. But each day I wake uo and read, I can feel the bubbling of something inside of me, the "get up and go" the motivation, the "I can and I will do this" I have been planning my days better and getting the wheels in motion the actually start living my life and to stop just existing!

I am reading one of my favourite books again, I love it so much and this have massively helped me deal with my stroke and now it is helping get back on track with various aspects of my life. Get back in to fitness, doing what I am able to do, not being put off by what I can't. Looking at my future and what I want to achieve both personally and professionally. Looking at how I can do my business again, not looking at the obstacles.

Personal development has been so important to me, I feel like I am on a one woman mission  to get everyone reading! There are books for everyone and everything! Everyone can spare 30 minutes a day, it just depends on how much you want to do it. For me and my husband, we know the benefits we gain from it, so sacrifice a mere 30 minutes extra in bed, this has such a positive knock on effect!

It's so simple you either stay in bed for those extra 30 minutes, then get up, still feeling sleepy and tried! Drag your, half asleep, self to bathroom, and go about your morning routine wishing you could go back to bed.

Or, get up 30 minutes earlier, make yourself a hot drink, curl up on the sofa with a great motivational/inspiring book and get your grey matter to work!!! You can literally feel your body and mind coming to life, you get excited by the day ahead you are in a great positive mood... You've started  your day in a way you want to carry on!

There have been so many books that have really made a difference but so far some of my favourites are (as well the one I am reading now) Jeff Olsen, The Slight Edge and Dr Steve Peters, The Chimp Paradox (Mind Management) You can  also get these books as audio or find various readings of them on SoundCloud. Another great Book and audio is Darren Hardy, The Compound Effect.

Personal development is something that never ends, we are all continuously growing and developing, and if you are not careful about what we do, and be selective about how you develop, then you could end up being someone you don't like. You can let life take you on a negative downward path to resentment and bitterness, or you can choose to develop your mind, being and spirit in to something that is positive, fulfilling and that people want to be around.

You are completely, 100% in control and responsible for your own happiness and your life. There is a great quote... "If you think you can, or you think you can't, you're right" It is you who sets limits on yourself, no one else. You are the one who has what it takes to make a change, make a difference, make it happen. You are the one who is wholly responsible for your life and how you choose to live it. Stop looking for outside influences to blame, you control how to deal and respond to them.

It is up to you! If you really want to change, become better, healthier, wealthier. happier, more successful at work, in business, in love, in friendship, then you need to take control. I absolutely cannot recommend Jack Canfield's book highly enough, seriously, get the book, commit to 30 minutes a day, take it all on board, soak it all in and become hooked on personal development!