If you have not guessed by now, I am an advocate of daily personal development, far be it from me to tell a grown man or woman what they should do. However, in the interest of personal growth, it is my intention to give you the tools that have worked for so many that came before me with great efficacy.
1. You should listen to motivational recordings on a daily basis to improve your mental outlook and your focus.
2 You should read motivational books or and listen to uplifting inspirational audio books daily to strengthen your motivation using another modality.
3. You should exercise daily to improve your body and your mind. (There is a plethora of scientific evidence to support the mind body connection).
4. You should pay attention to (with great diligence) what goes into you body.
5. You should with caution guard what comes out of your mouth, I can’t tell you the amount of stress I have seen caused by someone saying the wrong thing. In fact; in my opinion it is a spiritual practice, to take caution in what one utter from the lips without thinking. (Let me draw your attention to this bit of scripture)- Matthew 15:11 – “That which enters into the mouth doesn’t defile the man; but that which proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles the man.”
Now where am I going to find the time to do all of these things you ask?
Well here is some information you may find of interest:
● According to Nielsen (a company that studies consumers in more than 100 countries to give the most complete view of trends and habits worldwide):
● African Americans watch an average of 218 hours of television a month; Approximately 7 hour of television per day
● Whites watch an average of 155.3 hours; Approximately 5 hour of television per day
● Hispanics watch an average of 123.2 hours; Approximately 4 hour of television per day
● Asian Americans watch an average of 92.3 hours; Approximately 3 hours of television per day
Achieve Greater Success, It’s Mental and Physical
A solution to this formula for an impending disastrous lifestyle, is combining personal physical and mental development. The suggestion for physical as well as mental exercise is that it seems, the human mind it built to produce result positive or negative, never-the-less a result.
If one works on his or her body the visible result are inevitable, where as you may not see results in your bank account or your relationships right away by pursuing the path of personal development. However, seeing results in your body may give your the motivation to continue developing in other areas of your life.
My preferred form of physical exercise is Thai Chi as it helps to strengthen the muscles as well as improving focus. In addition, Thai Chi can be used for self defense if applied properly. It stretches the muscles as well as allowing the blood to flow freely, with an emphasis balance.
It can’t be stressed enough the importance of improving the balance.
One of the leading health concerns for people over the age of 60 is falling, which is often related to balance problems. Each year, between 20 and 40 percent of adults over 65 who live at home fall. The consequences of falls can be disastrous; between 12 and 67 percent of elderly adults who fracture a hip die within one year.
Walking is also a good exercises as well, it does not require intense thought. I Walk approximately one hour every other day and use this same time to listen to motivational audio recordings. I have smart-phone loaded with recording from top motivational speakers such as: Les Brown, Tony Robbins, Jim Rohn, even Deepak Chopra. The goal being to read or listen to one book a week.
Personal development is not limited to motivation. There is a need to expand your knowledge to help you fulfill your goals as well. My audio books play-list help me learn the skills needed to obtain my goals. These may include audio-books on financial development, fitness, proper diet, memory improvement,(and with the world now being a global market) a new language.
Splitting an hours walk into two sections may help stave off the discontentment of routine that sometimes sets in. The first 30 minutes can be allocated to listening to motivational speakers pushing the mind in overdrive. Then switching to learning mode. The last 30 minutes of the walk can be spent listening to teachers explaining ways of improving life using their techniques and systems.
One cannot imagine the power of starting the day this way. One can go from sleeping to physically alert and active in moments. One can go from sluggish thoughts to excitement. One can go from wondering how to solve problems to getting the advice one needs to move forward.
Just think you will be doing this before most people even start their day, I find it interesting how here in Tampa Florida the university students and the people who live in million dollars homes (some of the richest and the brightest) are up running on Bay – Shore at 4 A.M.
I have not forgotten about reading time. I have seen people make excellent use of even their exercise bike time at the gym. They get on my exercise bike and pedal slowly while they read. Imagine the impact child’s on a child self-esteem, reading inspirational uplifting words to them on a daily bases. In addition, to by doing so the words flow into ones’ own subconscious mind where they would provide even greater benefit to oneself.
There is one last piece of advice I want to offer. Write down your goals and read them before you start your morning workout and after you finish reading your inspirational book at night. Plant those goals deeply in your mind while you continue your personal development quest. You will be surprised as you start seeing your goals moving closer day by day.