A hello and an issue I have with personal development.

[hawkal]

First things first, I want to say a big hello to everyone here and throw your Televisions out. My name is Alex and I have a keen interest in personal development.

I have some problems with it though. The problem is just how many resources there are on the subject, especially on the Internet. I have too many bookmarks on personal development . The next issue is that from what I can gather a lot of information on personal development is based on personal opinion which sometimes mean the idea's may clash between different authors or when different authors agree seeming like your just rereading the same ideas.

In spite of the fact there seems to be no convention to personal growth how do you keep up with all the new idea's, remember them and make them part of your life? And because it isn't a science as such how do you know who the authority is? Steve clearly is but he may not be the only one.


Finally.
When you have hundreds upon hundreds of articles that could help change your life forever how do you go about implementing the ideas into your life? Some articles may just be about an enlightening idea, a new perspective if you will, where as others are more direct telling you things that will help you grow but whats the point in learning a new idea if your just going to forget it ? Especially when there are so many ideas these articles teach and thats just the ones on this site.

[Advent Shade]

And because it isn't a science as such how do you know who the authority is?

Well of course it can be a science. It all depends on what route you choose to take with your spiritual beliefs. My personal growth is very much founded on scientific ideas; diet, sleeping patterns, biology, mind structure, cognitive functioning - I understand and improve all of these with the use of science.

[lizthefair]

Ironically, I think a big part of personal development is about learning to look at the resources out there (about personal development as well as other topics) and figuring out which ones resonate with you and which ones don't. Just because someone is famous, or has multiple degrees, or even says things that have been important to you in the past, doesn't mean that you have to take everything they say as gospel truth.

All the personal development books, videos, classes etc. out there are worthless if you can't discern for yourself what is valuable to you, where you are right now.

[Shamou]

Hello and welcome around Alex...

Very glad that you joined and hope that you like it here...

Personal Development (PD) is studied the same way that you would philosophy, history, the arts etc... it is by no mean an exact science... but it is a body of knowledge and information that started with Benjamin Franklin and that has grown ever since...

There are a great many schools of thoughts... and vastly different theories... therefore, mastering PD is a lifelong endeavor... You read something... think about it... if it fits with you, you adopt it... if not, you go to something else...

And,just like in any other body of knowledge... at first you are a little lost... but, very soon, something starts to resonate with you... you have a new outlook on life... you become happier and more successful... that is when you get the reward for your efforts...

The very best of luck to you... and just don't ever give up...
.

[hawkal]

Thank you all for your explanations.