The Quest for Personal Growth

3 Tips to Master the Journey

by Carla Lopez

Generally speaking, personal growth is a journey, not a destination. Additionally, everyone’s personal growth adventure will be different, as people have varying needs, preferences, and goals.

By learning to master the journey, you can ensure your quest for personal growth is ultimately a success. Here are some tips from the L.A. South Chamber of Commerce to help you begin.

1. Develop a Self-Care Routine You’ll Stick To

During the pandemic, Good News Network notes that 67 percent of people who developed a self-care routine made those practices a permanent part of their lives. If you’re not among that group, then it’s wise to start mastering your journey by developing a self-care routine that you’ll commit to long-term.

You’ll likely research standard techniques as starting points if you’re new to self-care. While that isn’t a bad idea, as many of the classics are effective, not all self-care techniques work well for everyone.

For example, Mayo Clinic points out that meditation is incredibly beneficial to some, allowing them to reduce stressand increase creativity. However, if you have aphantasia, some meditation exercises – specifically those that ask you to visualize an item, landscape, or scenario – may only breed frustration, causing you to abandon your self-care routine because it isn’t working.

You don’t have to meditate, practice mindfulness, or explore yoga if that’s not right for you. Instead, find your happy place. Put together a puzzle featuring an image you like. Spend your Saturday walking through the aquarium. Get a professional, old-school shave with warm steam and light massage at a barbershop. If it reduces your stress levels and leaves you feeling relaxed, rejuvenated, and recharged, it could qualify as self-care, so keep an open mind and find a routine that works for you.

2. Start a New Career – Like Medical Coding – to Reignite Your Professional Passion

Often, your career and personal growth can go hand-in-hand. At work, you have a chance to hone your capabilities, engage with interesting people, and toss around ideas that can alter your perspective, all of which can lead to growth. However, if you aren’t able to acquire new skills, explore interesting ideas, or refine your approaches, your job can also hold you back.

Stagnation doesn’t just slow personal growth; it can significantly impact your mental health, increasing your odds of anxiety, depression, and burnout. If you’re at a dead end, then a new career may be what you need to continue your personal growth journey.

Don’t be afraid of thinking outside the box when it comes to acquiring skills for a new line of work. It’s possible to get schooled up in a number of interesting professions. For example, one in-demand job is working as a medical coder. When you take web based medical coding courses, you learn industry-standard coding necessary for documenting patient information. This is a critical part of filing insurance claims, as well as for medical facilities that need to store patient information for procedures and services.

Before looking for fresh opportunities, make sure you have a stellar resume. Many resume templates are available online. Many allow you to choose a professional design and then add your copy, colors, images, or photos to make it uniquely yours.

If you have an entrepreneurial streak, launching your own business is another option. You might decide to register your business as a limited liability company (LLC). This designation can help show potential customers you’re serious about your business and are willing to invest your own time and money into keeping it safe. Moreover, LLCs provide legal separation between your personal and business assets. However, be sure to follow best practices in order to support and maintain that separation. Forming an LLC can be time-consuming and tedious, so consider using a formation service to get the work done on your behalf.

3. Start Breaking Your Patterns to Spur Growth

In many cases, personal growth stalls because you get into a rut. Routines are comforting and straightforward, appealing to the part of people that want the simplest path. But they don’t create opportunities for discovery, and that holds you back.

If you’re worried that you’re in a rut, start by breaking some of your subtle patterns. For example, mix up your work commute, taking new roads or public transit lines to explore different areas in your town. Skip your usual lunch destination and try a restaurant featuring a cuisine you’ve never tried. Update your wardrobe by buying a shirt in a color you don’t usually wear. Change the radio station to check out a new genre.

By introducing new experiences into your routine, you’re creating opportunities for exploration. In turn, you’ll typically stumble upon chances for personal growth, ensuring your journey continues forward.

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Image via Pexels

L.A. South Chamber of Commerce is all about creating economic growth in South L.A. communities. Contact us today to see how you can get involved! (323) 282-1886