How To Choose Which Personal Development Path Is Right For You
- Feb 15, 2023
- 3 min read
Written by: Samantha Buckley-Hugessen, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
All the personal development and self-help voices get loud at this time of year. I’m constantly getting pounded and hounded with offers of coaches, books, online courses, webinars, retreats, and WOW, turn down the noise!
As a coach, I’m all about giving my clients tools. So, here are some for you. First, decipher what method of learning is best for you. What will serve you the most?
When receiving self-help offers, you have options:
You can simply hit delete, but you might be missing something that you would enjoy and that could be really good for you.
You could skip over the messages in your email and decide to revisit them later, letting them all pile up and probably ultimately deleting them anyway.
You could react immediately, Johnny on the spot, and sign up for whatever is being offered without a care in the world.
OR You could take a moment today and ask yourself, what is it I am looking for? What specifically will help me move in the direction of my goals or vision this coming year? (You can’t say, “I don’t know” because if you get quiet and ask the important questions, you do know).
First, let's look at just three of our domains in life. The things you most likely want to improve.
Money/Freedom – Job, make more money, change careers, security, free time.
Health and well-being – physical, emotional, spiritual.
Love – Family, and or relationships.
Ask yourself:
What would I love in these areas? Write down at least 3 things in each area.
Example: Money – Job
Earn more money this year.
Start investing my money.
Be more efficient and organized with time management.
Now when the emails come, or the pop-ups or ads show up. Look at your list.
Ask yourself:
Does this directly apply to me and my goals?
Will this help me in the specific area that I have decided to give attention to?
Is this a credible and reputable organization to align with?
If not: Delete.
If so: Create an email folder and save them to it. Then create a date in your calendar to review the offering IN-DEPTH.
Again, you know yourself. Once you sit down to review the learning opportunities you have another question to answer.
How do I truly learn best?
Physical books or audio?
Self-study courses?
Live groups?
Do I need to be accountable to someone to follow through and not get sidetracked?
Personally, I either read or listen to Audio as part of my DAILY routine AND I attend live courses online or in person where the facilitator is expecting me. I need to show up, I need accountability.
I know I’ve personally paid for courses, bundles, and stacks that I have never used.
So, we decide on ONE or TWO things. That’s it!
If 6 months from now you need to change it up? Go back and look at the folder, look at who is making the offer, and if they are reputable and successful, I am sure when you visit their website you will find something to boost your interest in the areas of change and improvement.
I hope this helps you to quiet the noise and really take steps to increase your learning, growth, and quality of life this year.
Samantha Buckley-Hugessen, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Samantha is an American Certified Coach originally from Seattle Washington, an ex-pat splitting time between Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, and Bellingham, WA. Sam is a force at 6’2” tall, she is considered “THE” Life Coach for Leaders, as their Confidant, Protector, Sounding board, Ultimate counsel, and Trusted advisor
She is transparent, direct, and down to earth. As well, she has an incredible sense of humor. Her deep belief is that life is meant to be fun!
She is super effective and passionate about providing a structure of support and helping people design and live lives they love.
In October 2019, Sam released her first Book UNS*UCK YOURSELF – The Guide to Designing a life you love, gaining AMAZON Bestseller status in 4 categories. Her company is perfectly named “A Designed Life, LLC”
