I Alone am Responsible for my Life – A Brief Rant About Personal Development

November 30, 2009 · 4 comments

I had half a blog post written about my sleep experiment when I found my mind wandering. ‘Come on brain, focus!’ I took a break for lunch but was still struggling to write about the experiment. I finally gave up, opened a new document, and started typing. This is what came out.

I’m currently reading “Personal Development for Smart People” by Steve Pavlina (Amazon link). I’m only halfway through this book and plan on reading it again just as soon as I finish.

It’s easily the best book I’ve ever read. Meaningful, life changing, and delicious.

It’s so packed full of good stuff that I should probably write a page of reflection for each page I read – just to let the inspiration marinate and settle. In fact, don’t even finish reading this post – do yourself a favor and head over to Steve’s blog.

Anyways, I was reading last night and thinking about something that has troubled me for a couple years now. Why isn’t everyone actively interested in conscious growth? (aka “personal development”) The resources are available. The books and blog posts have been written. It’s all there within arm’s reach.

So what is it? Do people not know how to find the resources? What books to buy or what search terms to use?  Maybe people don’t feel supported or capable of change?  Or, what I fear is the case, are some people just not interested in learning, improving, and developing as a person? Perhaps some people don’t want to read books like these because they underestimate the chance of actual results? Maybe they’re trapped into a destructive “things are good, not great, but that’s just the way it is” mentality. Maybe some people would rather share complaints on a smoke break during their soulless job than admit to themselves…

“I alone am responsible for my life.”

It takes some humility and courage to buy a “personal development” book, doesn’t it? I noticed something curious about this book I’m reading. When someone asks me “what are you reading?” I actually hesitate for a moment because I feel slightly embarrassed! After I tell them the title (Personal Development for Smart People) I quickly follow up with a qualifying statement like, “It sounds lame, but really it’s a fascinating book.” I should read sexier books, ha!  Maybe this is how others feel as well?

This post is hardly polished, but I will publish it regardless because I think it captures my current thoughts on the matter of conscious growth.

What are your thoughts on personal development?  Perhaps we each grow in different ways and I shouldn’t rant about those who choose to grow in a different direction, at a different pace, or by different means than I choose.

[I suspect that my beautiful and intelligent readers aren't the type that need to hear a rant about the value of pursuing conscious growth, so thanks for taking a minute to read anyways. :-) ]

  • jorel314

    Hello,

    Just wanted to let you know that I featured your blog on my site…

    Happy napping!

  • jorel314

    Hello,

    Just wanted to let you know that I featured your blog on my site…

    Happy napping!

  • Alicia

    So, I forget how I came across your site, I’m guessing some wander that began at Facebook. I was a couple years ahead of you at your high school, a friend of Bethany’s and others in your grade, and dated Travis K, if those spark a memory . Maybe you remember me, maybe not. In any case, not the point, just wanted to describe/introduce myself :)

    I was intrigued by your blog, and in particular wanted to comment on this post. I also sometimes wonder why some people aren’t interested in personal development, and sometimes frustrated when I feel like people don’t even care. As you say, maybe they are not interested, but I worry more that maybe it does not even occur that positive change could be made. Maybe I am frustrated because I critique myself (probably too often, and worry that they don’t even think about the fact that they could better themselves, that they see nothing wrong with their current self. Anyways, I could babble forever, because I do, but I would like to say that you have some interesting thoughts and ideas posted in your blog, and I have thus been inspired :)

  • Alicia

    So, I forget how I came across your site, I’m guessing some wander that began at Facebook. I was a couple years ahead of you at your high school, a friend of Bethany’s and others in your grade, and dated Travis K, if those spark a memory . Maybe you remember me, maybe not. In any case, not the point, just wanted to describe/introduce myself :)

    I was intrigued by your blog, and in particular wanted to comment on this post. I also sometimes wonder why some people aren’t interested in personal development, and sometimes frustrated when I feel like people don’t even care. As you say, maybe they are not interested, but I worry more that maybe it does not even occur that positive change could be made. Maybe I am frustrated because I critique myself (probably too often, and worry that they don’t even think about the fact that they could better themselves, that they see nothing wrong with their current self. Anyways, I could babble forever, because I do, but I would like to say that you have some interesting thoughts and ideas posted in your blog, and I have thus been inspired :)

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