Does Personal Development Play a Role in Business Success?

How does learning from experts accelerate your Success path! Think you don’t have the time …. Think again.

Many people shy away from the buzz words “Personal Development” fearing some of the negative implications it may carry. This is unfortunate in that PD is merely a learning path we all take whether we are aware of it or not. Example: college courses, seminars, books, or training through your employer are forms of PD. Many professions such as health care, education, engineering, and law require minimum hours of PD aka Continuing Education as a requirement for licensing so that new skills can be learned and applied in the appropriate situations.

Personal development comprises activities that improve self-knowledge and identity, develop talents and potential, build human capital and employability, enhance quality of life and realize dreams and aspirations. The concept of personal development covers a wider field than self-development or self-help; it also includes developing other people, and by extension refers to the methods, programs, tools, techniques, and assessment systems used in personal development.

At the level of self-improvement, personal development includes:
1. Becoming the person one aspires to be; integrating social identity with self-identification
2. Increasing awareness or defining of one’s priorities, values, chosen way of life or ethics
3. Strategizing and realizing dreams, aspirations, career and lifestyle priorities.
4. Developing professional potential and talents; developing individual competencies, learning on the job
5. Improving the quality of lifestyle in such areas as health, wealth, culture, family, friends and communities
6. Learning techniques or methods to expand awareness, gain control of one's life or achieve wisdom

The personal development of others may occur as:
* A function within the role of teacher or mentor
* A personal competency (such as a manager's ability to develop the potential of employees)
* A professional service (such as providing training, assessment or coaching)

Aristotle and the Western Tradition
The Greek philosopher Aristotle (384 BC – 322 BC) strongly influenced theories of personal development in the West. Aristotle defined personal development as a category of practical wisdom.[citation needed] Aristotle’s concept of the Good Life consisted in developing one’s excellence (arête) to reach eudaimonia[5], commonly translated as happiness but more accurately understood as “human flourishing” or “living well"[6]. Aristotle continues to influence the Western concept of personal development to this day, particularly in the economics of human development [7] and positive psychology. [8]

Now that we’ve defined PD how is an expert going to help me in my success? Imagine if you would have the ear of the leading minds in any particular subject. Instead of you having to research and study, as well as, experience (the best teacher) the obstacle in your learning path you could just simply get the answer On-Demand? Just like in the movie “The Matrix” you simply download what you need and retain it for all time! Imagine knowing what Bill Gates, Warren Buffett, Donald Trump or Barack Obama know and being able to apply it in you life NOW. Do you think you’d be more successful?

If you could change your life completely by changing less than 1% of your daily routine would you do it? By investing 7 minutes per day (roughly ½ % of 24 hours) in yourself and your education you can dramatically improve your skills and get more out of your life. In our fast paced world many of us do not have an hour a day to spend on our continuing education. iLearningGlobal has divided its Hi-def content into 7-9 minute segments; packed with valuable material so that you can take your education in bytes (pun intended). Directly from the experts in personal development, business, sales, finance, teens, parenting, relationships and much more!

Consider these facts... Why continuous learning?
• 1) The average person will increase their salary by only 2-3% annually.
• 2) Each year inflation increases by approximately 2-3% annually.
• 3)That means that, without lifelong learning, it’s virtually impossible for the average person to get ahead.

However...
• 1) Top Achievers, people who are continually learning and growing, DOUBLE their income every 3-5 years.
• 2) This is why the top 10-20% earns more than the bottom 80%! To separate yourself from the pack, you often need to know just one additional skill…and that will make all the difference in your pay scale.

Personal Development works for you regardless of what Business or Profession you are in.

Add me as a friend or sign up to my BLOG: at http:/ilgmmgs.ning.com/ and learn from the experts! Each week I will send out a FREE learning experience that you will benefit from.

Here's a sample of what's in store: Click Here or post in browser

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K_OYg7gySAM

Tags: business, coaching, development, education, failure, learning, money, motivation, ratio, sales

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Comment by Stewart Graham on May 13, 2009 at 1:53pm: Great topic Leonard.

Sorry about being soooooooo late in getting in on the conversation.

I believe PD can occur wherever one is situated. It's not about books, CD, video or listening to Tony Robbins et al! PD is about listening to everyone with whom you talk. Everyone can have a positive influence on your PD, simply by talking to you, you can learn from their experience and knowledge.

I do read management books and watch videos but also learn from those I speak with in various situations. I hope, I offer in my conversation some PD for other also.

Stewart

Comment by Krishna Prasad Menon on April 15, 2009 at 3:58am: Personality Development is an ongoing process but its roots starts getting nourished from childhood. Grooming, effectively speaking, adjusting to changing cultures, confidence etc. supports a persons success in life.

Comment by Dave Saunders on April 11, 2009 at 7:44pm: I don't think personal development can be under-emphasized when it comes to success. I've seen people, including myself, develop a 7 figure net worth and then loose it all and not understand why. Success is far easier, and more lasting, when you grow yourself along with everything else.

http://www.twitter.com/davesaunders

Comment by Kays A Gift of Heart on April 10, 2009 at 1:05pm: Thank you for sharing this topic. It is so true to the word. Always exercise that big musule in your head and grow from it. Sincerely, Sandra Kay.

Comment by Jessica Elaine Hyde-Cadogan on April 8, 2009 at 10:59am: Of course...if you don't believe in yourself, how can you believe in the service or product you're selling?

Comment by Richard Zdanis on April 7, 2009 at 2:17pm: I agree with most of the comments. Especially the one that compares personal development with working out. If you don't exercise and eat right....you don't perform as well as a person. In the personal development field, it's the same. If you don't "exercise your mind" and "eat / absorb the right information" you will not perform well as a professional.

Comment by Brett Branham on April 7, 2009 at 7:07am: Through personal development you can understand who you are becoming. This is a life long process.

Thanks for sharing this insightful piece of work, good job!

Comment by Cassandra Clifford on April 6, 2009 at 3:19pm: My non-profit, Bridge to Freedom Foundation, www.bridgetofreedomfoundation.org, uses personal as a cornerstone to the success of those in which we support. I know from my own success and personal trials and tribulations, it was the continual development, investment and belief in myself that has allowed me to achieve my successes and my personal fulfillment and who I am.

Comment by Susan Bagyura on April 6, 2009 at 1:16am: Spot on! Personal development is the key to life. I have had a regular PD program going for myself for more than 25 years. It is easy to tell which people do understand the importance of PD just by their attitude, what they say, and their results. It is so empowering knowing that when something unexpected comes up that I have everything I require in order to make the most of the situation. I always look for the good in every situation. No victims here!

Comment by Chris Capre on April 5, 2009 at 8:03pm: great article - absolutely it does - energy is often magnetic and people who are growing and developing often attract others who can form a symbiotic relationship