What is Personal Growth?
Many people know the feeling of being stuck in a job, or career that draws the joy out of life and is detrimental to their very well-being. When we feel this way, it can be difficult to imagine ever feeling happy or satisfied at work.
The opposite is true.
These difficult moments are often where we have the opportunity to grow the most. We have the choice to either stagnate, or to grow and evolve.
By recognising that change is necessary and that investing in yourself is the key, you will develop confidence and resilience – and that – is personal growth.
Elements of Personal Growth
If we want to change or improve our circumstances, we need to adopt the most important element of personal growth – a willingness to learn.
- Open Mindedness: Being open to new experiences and willing to change our perspective also means being able to accept feedback constructively and use it to improve.
- Goal setting: You need to have a clear idea of what you want to achieve and be prepared to put in the work to reach those goals.
- Measuring Progress: What gets measured, gets improved. Celebrating your wins along the way keeps you motivated and encourages forward motion.
People Need Different Things to Grow
While employees may have similar roles, the journey of personal growth is extremely personal. Some may want to focus on developing new skills or mastering new knowledge. Others may need to prioritise building stronger relationships or improving their health and well-being. Some people might choose to read self-help books or attend workshops, while others prefer to work with a coach.
Whatever your personal needs, keep in mind that personal growth is an ongoing journey that you can take at your own pace. There is no single “right” way to grow as a person.
Find Your Purpose at Work
As human beings, we are designed to strive for more. When it comes to career, everyone needs to find a sense of purpose in their work to feel satisfied. Many do this by engaging in work that is meaningful to them and that they feel makes a difference.
Having a purpose may also just mean being part of something larger than yourself. Teamwork can be especially rewarding for many.
Purpose Leads to Personal Growth
Purpose helps us to stay motivated and focused. In turn, we are more productive and engaged in our work. Workers who feel they are working with purpose feel positive about their workplace, and a positive work environment is essential for maintaining well-being in the workplace.
If we feel driven by purpose, we will naturally want to keep achieving. This leads into goal setting. We ask ourselves the following questions:
What do you want to achieve?
What are your long-term career aspirations?
Once we have a good understanding of our goals, we can start to develop a plan for how to achieve them.
Plans could include things like:
- Being proactive about career development.
- Seeking out opportunities.
- Attending industry events and networking functions.
- Getting involved in projects that interest you.
- Stepping out of your comfort zone and learning new things.
Coaches Can Help Build Personal Goals
Sometimes we need a little help identifying where we would like to see growth. A coach can help create a realistic plan and guide you with actionable steps. Coaches offer support and provide accountability.
Nurture the Self
Self-care doesn’t always look like spa days and bubble baths. Sometimes, it is pushing yourself to be proactive about your personal growth.
To nurture the self means to recognise what brings you joy and to cultivate more opportunities to feel it. Surround yourself with positive people who will support your growth. And don’t forget to be gentle with yourself. Growth can be difficult and sometimes messy.
The Sterkla Purpose
After doing our own internal work, we founded Sterkla because we learned that part of our purpose is to help you find yours.
We have an incredible selection of coaches on the Sterkla app, ready to do just that.
If you need help identifying your own purpose or setting goals, browse through the coach profiles, and see which one speaks to you OR use our ‘Find a coach’ feature, which will match you to 3 coaches, based on your goals and your personality match to the coach. For more information or to request a demo for your business, visit www.sterkla.com, contact support@sterkla.com, or download the Sterkla app on Apple and Play stores.
