PURSUING PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT THROUGH ACADEMICS

The mental capacity of humans, regardless of race or gender, is the same. We were all born with infinite possibilities for our brain, at birth no brain is superior to the other; the white man's brain isn't superior to the black man's and vice versa. The only difference is how the brain is used; what it is fed with, what it is exposed to and the level of rigorous mental exercise it is subjected to.

The human physiological makeup is the same; the red blood cells carry oxygen to the brain and other regions of the human body. God in his infinite mercy created the human race and proclaimed that his creation was very good.

However, He made room for the human race to grow, occupy their environment and progress as they are willing to develop themselves, think and create things that will make life easier.
The problem then started when some chose to develop through learning, coaching, training, communicating, consultancy amongst a host of other educational pursuit, and the majority made a decision to destroy themselves by indulging in a quest for pleasure, instead of finding ways to develop themselves.

The questions then are:
What is Personal Development?
How can I plan for my Personal Development?
Through what means can I achieve Personal Development?
What are the benefits of Personal Development?
What are the expected results?

Personal Development is said to be a lifelong process that enables one access the skills, qualities, and character trait needed to achieve set goals and attain success in life. Personal development aims at maximizing ones potentials and gifts to the fullest.
It is a process which ensures that one is deliberate in discovering qualities, talents and potentials and developing them in order to enhance the quality of one’s life, dreams and aspirations. In developing self, the individual deliberately creates a plan based on values, reflection and goals that the individual has set.

The benefits of Personal Development are enormous.
First and Foremost, it helps the individual to stay focused. The individual becomes a better learner, builds on areas of strength and makes up for weaknesses. Practically speaking, in order to reach and achieve goals in life, one needs to appraise one's visions, passions, purpose as these acts as the motivating factors.
For instance, a child from an idolatrous background may say “Never Again is Now.” By implication, goodbye to idol worship. Deliberately, he/she decides to give his/ her life to Christ and cut off from all that pertains to idol worship, attends church services, fellowship meetings, prays, reads his/her Bible and ends up marrying a Christian and raising godly children.

The individual in repentance outlines possible challenges, things and places to avoid, new friends to make etc. In setting goals, the individual sets to check intermittently future adjustments needed. The same goes for people from poor and low academic background. History abounds where the son of a labourer eventually becomes a Medical Doctor, Professor etc. All these were possible because they set a path for themselves, were focused and worked at it, till they got there.
Learning or Academic Programmes have been noted as a veritable instrument in helping people plan for their growth. These can be formal, informal, full time or part time. The world economy is knowledge and information driven, so you should strive to acquire knowledge and information.

photo source

There is a popular saying thus:

“If you are not informed, then you are deformed”

also

“if you fail to plan, then you have planned to fail”.

I am certain; we do not want to do any the aforementioned. Hence, let's undertake learning that will provide knowledge which will go a long way in shaping our attitudes in order to achieve our set goals for Personal Development.
Finally, success doesn't come to you, you have to go get it. Achieving success therefore, is not for wishy-washy, lazy dreamers and sluggards. With God on your side, you deliberately pray, plan, get to action with goals and processes to guide you as you review and adjust till you get the desired outcome.
See you at the TOP highly developed personality.