The “Personal” in Personal Development. Be you.

ELD Letter #36

So often we look out and seek answers for ourself on how to be “better”, but when we truly ask, we already know. Sometimes it takes someone to say it in a specific way at a time we’re ready to hear it to make the change.

I love to say “Does it really need to take the death of a loved one to start doing what you already know you should.” Often it takes these extreme situations to finally move us to the point of change.

The reality is we can hear the calling deep down to act. To make a change. We can delay it until something existential happens, or take the reins and make a positive shift NOW.

This leads me to the main point of this letter.

‘Personal Development’

I’ve spent a good part of the last 3 years diving heavily into it and am starting to realise a deep truth to it all. It’s called Personal development for a reason. Its Personal to us as individuals.

For a long time and occasionally still, I have fallen into having somebody else's idea of personal development weigh me down. There are universal truths to discipline and building the skills to adhere to tasks which we can teach and pass down. Like the foundations being: nutrition, exercise, purpose and intentional actions.

But one persons struggle is another persons strength. So prescribing the same exact set of tasks to improve ones “mental toughness” isn’t personal at all.

This graphic further illustrates what I mean:

Understanding what is actually in our own container of personal development is key to forging the life we dream of.

(If you want to have a practical way to figure this out and build your own Personal Development goals, feel free to pick up The Discipline Skillset here: https://thecontentmentnzl.wixsite.com/hunter/product-page/the-discipline-skill-set Or alternatively DM me and I’ll send you a free PDF.)

Once we have our north star for “personal development” I love bringing it back to intention:

Am I meditating to say I’ve meditated today? Or am I meditating because I understand It’s ability to distance myself from limiting thought patterns?

Am I doing exercise to tick the box of exercise? Or am I engaging in a movement practice with a playful, child like curiosity? Understanding that this is a direct reflection of self care and being grateful for the body I inhabit.

Big differences aye!

Let’s get personal with our personal development and figure out what we need and the things that will guide us towards the dream and who we know we are deep down.

Who do you want do be?

Who do your actions say you are?

bridge the gap!

Much love,

-Hunter