Last week, we focused on other people—the most important people in your life, and how you can best make them a priority in your life. But today we want to bring it back to you.
(You should be your top priority, after all!)
One of the best ways to create balance in your life is to ensure that your mind and your spirit grow steadily alongside your career, your community, and your family. So this week, we’re focusing on the importance of devoting time to your own learning and growth.
Personal development is a lifelong pursuit. But, as with most anything, it’s a path that’s unique to you—and one that’s easier said than done!
Follow our favorite tips below to help ensure your growth through a lifetime of learning:
Acknowledge What You Already Know
You may be surprised by how much knowledge is already in that noggin! Many of us have spent over a decade of our lives learning, and in the day-to-day, some of that knowledge begins to collect dust. Reflect back on what you’ve already learned; what you already know. Is there an opportunity to use that information in your life now? Is there anything you’d like a refresher on? Any topics or skills you could build on and develop mastery in? Don’t discount what you’ve already learned! You undoubtedly have an incredible foundation of wisdom on which to build.
Identify Your Areas of Interest
Now comes from the fun part—deciding what you want to learn! We encourage you to have fun with this process; sit down and really brainstorm what would be cool, exciting, or challenging to explore. Too many of us assume (whether consciously or not) that our education stops after college (or even high school)! But we should never stop learning. So constantly challenge yourself to grow and get curious: What do you want to learn more about? Where do you want to be more skilled? These don’t necessarily need to be professional skills though you can include those, too! Don’t limit yourself—the opportunities to learn something new are endless.
Seek Out New Growth Opportunities
We mean it—it’s never been easier to learn something new. There are myriad courses online and in local schools for students of all ages! You can also attend workshops, webinars, and conferences that speak to subjects ranging from relationships to finance to business and more. The opportunities to stretch your skills and challenge your views are limitless—and more important than ever in a world that feels increasingly siloed and divisive. You have a never ending opportunity to expand your mind. Take advantage of the opportunities to learn something new, whether it’s for credits, certification, career, or just the fun of it!
Teach What You Need to Learn
This old adage is so familiar because it’s true: whether it’s basic business tips or overarching life lessons, we often teach what we need to learn—and learn even more because of it! Earlier you acknowledged what you already know; cement that education by sharing it with others. You might apply to teach a class at the local community college, or you may simply share some wisdom with your kids tonight at dinner—just don’t keep the best lessons to yourself. By teaching what you know, you’ll solidify what you’ve learned in your life—and perhaps learn a few new lessons in the process!
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Balanced goals in life include continuous learning. Even if you’re just learning about yourself, you’re becoming more self-aware and growing as a person. This step in creating balance relates to not only your mind, but also your heart. Are you doing things that move you forward in life?
We encourage you to make a plan, set goals for personal growth, and track your progress. Day Designer is a simple and easy system created to help you find balance in support of your ultimate goal to live a well-designed life. View our latest edition here!
Today’s post is part of our all-new blog series about Creating Balance in 5 Easy Steps. Next, we’ll be focused on creating balance in your life through the resources at your disposal—and reminding you how to best nurture the resources that support you most. Read the next post here: How To Nurture Your Resources. In case you missed our previous posts in the series, read here:
What do you want to learn more about? What are some areas in which you could grow? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!