How do you apply the personal development theories you learn to your everyday life?

[Tabs]

I was having a conversation with a friend, who insists that personal development doesn't work past reading of the material. “Nothing happens after you have read the stuff.” I on the other hand, absolutely disagree with him, I use several principles and strategies I have learned over several years to make significant changes in my life and the lives of others. I said to him, “The point of reading the material is to do something with it.” I have to say that was fun, I get tired of people that complain about the self-help industry, when they have not put any effort into practicing what they’ve learned.

I just had to share that story, because it made me think of this question:

What are your favorite personal development tools and how do you incorporate them in your everyday life?

My full-proof favorites are:

• Following my intuition - I don't mess with this one, if I know I am getting a hunch I follow (you have to be paying attention to catch the hunches). For example, I had missed the FedEx guy yesterday and today on my way out the door something said, "FedEx guy might come while I was away". But I had to leave, I got in my car and two blocks down I see the FedEx truck turning the corner, something said "follow him" he stopped two blocks from my house and I parked right behind him. I got out of the car and the FedEx guy says to me, "you are ### right? I was going there next." He gave me my stuff and I was on my merry way. If I had not followed my hunch, I would have missed the delivery again today and I am going out of town.
• Positive thinking
• Writing down goals - I like this best because I write things down and when I run into my list again I have accomplished at least 50% of the items on my list without realizing it. (I love it when the Universe takes over).
• Affirmations

Thanks for sharing, cheers,

T.

[M13]

The impatient want to read a book, go to a seminar, or listen to an audio message once then have their bank accounts full, peace throughout the world and eternal happiness and joy. This is like going to the gym once then giving up because you didn’t come out with 22 inch arms or waist.

But it doesn’t necessarily mean it will take a lifetime. It seems like the more you start to live the life you desire, “living congruently” as Steve would put it the faster things go.

So far Meditation has been the best daily benefit I’ve gotten from Personal Development. When I used to think about taking action, I always pictured going to the gym, starting a business, making calls, selling products, hiring, firing, and general business type activities. But now I know these events are just tasks. The real action was in evolving my mind set, my thinking.

[songwriter]

I usually do the opposite.
I live everyday's life and then I come with ideas that are kind of PD. Most of them already written before...