4 Actions That Target Your Personal Growth

by | February 24, 2020 10:45 am | Main, Organization, Success, Well Being

green Leaf floatingWe all have areas where we want to improve; health, work, family, you name it. But reality sets in along with a busy schedule that doesn’t leave any space for quiet time, let alone individual development. We also rarely have the willpower we need to see it through. Or maybe we just don’t know where or how to start.

Not being able to define your own long-term goals will end up in a life that’s devoid of meaning or direction. You start losing that spark and the motivation to get up each morning wanes.

Experts define a personal growth plan as “the process of creating an action plan based on awareness, values, reflection, goal-setting, and planning for personal development within the context of a career, education, relationship or for self-improvement.”

An individualized growth plan can help you achieve the vision you have of yourself. It’s something we need to consciously think about and strive toward. If you don’t plan your own development and growth, no one else will.

Here are four steps you can take for a well-developed, easy-to-implement, personalized plan.

1. Know Thyself

In order to plan for the future, you have to reflect on your past experiences, your weaknesses, and strengths; they’ve made you who you are today. You also have to clarify your own unique values, such as integrity, respect for others, leadership, honesty. Your values define your stance, whether it’s at the workplace, with family and friends, and in your romantic relationships. Moreover, there are several essential questions you have to ask yourself:

  • What do I want to become in life?
  • What are my achievements up until now?
  • What are my personal goals?
  • What are my career ambitions?
  • What steps have I taken to pursue these goals and ambitions?

2. Develop your vision

Once you’ve asked and answered these questions, you’ll have a clear idea of who you are and what you want out of life. This takes us to the second step; developing your vision. A smart tip is to provide yourself with several options to reach your next goal.

That way, if something goes wrong or you face an obstacle, you can switch to another path. Be flexible in your planning because usually, people tend to underestimate how long a particular project will take.

Another point people tend to not pay attention to is what they don’t want to do. If you’re at work, you can make a list of what-not-to-do, for example:

  • Check emails as soon as they come in
  • Keep too many tabs open at once
  • Keep a cell phone on your desk
  • Check social media while you’re working

3. Assess your present-day situation

Implementing your plan can be difficult at first. But with dedication and an eye on the prize, you’ll soon find that it becomes a daily habit. It was Jim Ryun who said, “Motivation is what get you started. Habit is what keeps you going.”

Putting your strengths to good use will harness your energy levels so that it’s utilized efficiently. You can set up milestones along the way because smaller goals give you the motivation and drive you to need to get to the big ones. And each time you reach a milestone or achieve one of the small goals, reward yourself for your hard work.

4. Review your progress

Each project needs to be reviewed and assess, and your exclusive growth plan is no different. You can do it on a monthly basis or every couple of months, whatever feels comfortable for you. But it’s crucial that you take a step back and look at all the hard work you’ve accomplished.

Check to see if you’ve left anything out or missed any deadlines. Or maybe the mini-goals you set up last time don’t fit your criteria any longer, they need tweaking or readjusting. Reflect on your experience and consider everything you’ve learned. This will ensure that you keep moving forward according to your long-term plan and the vision you’ve set up for yourself.

On a final note, you can draw up the perfect plan, but if you don’t follow through, you won’t get anywhere. Everyone needs the practice to develop and grow, even if it means stepping out of your comfort zone. Having something to strive toward can renew your self-confidence and passion for life.

With the new year, we all want to get Organized!

by | January 13, 2020 1:30 pm | By Doc Mueller, Main, Organization

Picture of closet Get that Closet Organized

Most of us have a relatively large closet, but lots of wasted space in its original design. It is no wonder things end up piled up and lost in there. To get organized, you are going to need to transform that space into areas you can work with. Once you have decided on the items that will go back into your closet, you are going to have to choose how you want it in there. Do you want to hang it? Put it on the floor? Have a few shelves? Or store some items on the floor? This information will help you take the proper steps to get your closet organized.

Multi-tier hanging clothes rods are very useful. You can install half rods in various locations as well. This is an excellent choice if you need a full-length rod area for dresses and want a shorter hanging space for shirts. Most of us have a standard closet with one hanging clothes rod all the way across. Even simply adding a second one down below will double your storage space!

Use bins, dividers, small shelves, or baskets to separate and organize your smaller closet items. You can even put your sweaters in a basket or on a shelf since hangers can cause them to lose their shape. Cubbies are great for shoes, belts, scarfs, and other similar items. Carousals are excellent for hats, ties, and purses. If you are creative, you may want to use a particular closet organization product for an entirely different purpose. Do it! This is your project so make it work for you.

This is your chance to customize your closet storage space. Make it accessible and convenient for what you need. Some of us have tons of clothes and only a few pairs of shoes. Some of us have a pair of shoes to go with each outfit. Therefore no custom closet organization design is perfect for everyone. For the best results, take a complete inventory of the items you plan on to return to your closet and devise a plan that will give the right amount of space for the items you need it for.

Do you plan to live in your current residence for a long time? If so, a permanent closet organization system is something you will be interested in. For those of you who move often or who rent, consider using removable closet organization products that install and remove easily. Otherwise, you will find yourself in the same predicament each time you have to move. You will also want to consider the cost of each type of closet organization system before making any decisions.

Many people don’t realize the amount of space they have on the inside of their closet doors. You can hang a bag for hats, purses, belts, umbrellas, gloves, etc. here. It is also a perfect location for a hanging or attached shoe organizer. Make sure you consider this area while devising your custom closet organization layout.

Don’t spend money on items to design your closet until you are absolutely sure that they are going to fit well in your closet area. Most closet organizing products can’t be returned or exchanged if you have already started putting them together unless they are defective. It is a good idea to take your measurements twice in the closet as well as when you are looking for products to purchase.  Remember measure twice cut once!

Don’t forget to leave room for favorite friends!

Cat in a bin