Personal Development – What are You Listening Too?

By the time you are reading this I will have already put approximately 11 miles on my bike. I took up riding about 18 months ago after I cancelled my gym membership. Bicycling around the neighborhood has provided me much more benefit than paying $50 each month, driving 20 minutes one way and working out for two hours. By the time I got home, I felt drained and it was like my day was slipping away. Instead, bicycling allows me to cruise at my own pace around the large neighborhood in which we live. I begin to see others I know and I have been known to stop and have a lengthy conversation with neighbors and friends. I feel I accomplish more and relax more when I am riding around the neighborhood. I do try to keep an average speed above 11 mph.

One of the things I have begun doing when I go biking, is plugging in the MP3 player and listening to a variety of podcasts. Now before I go on, let me give you a small bit of advice: be careful! Do not turn the MP3 player up so loud you cannot hear the traffic around you if there is any. It helps to only have one ear plug in at a time to help you listen for cars and other noise. As always, be safe when riding. (Ok, the grandpa Chris showed up with safety advice, so let’s move on.)

The podcasts I listen to are chosen very selectively. I choose ones I know will motivate and encourage me throughout the day. I want to hear words of encouragement in the morning, not words of negativity and remorse. I want someone to inspire me to begin my day on a good note and to excel through the day. I also choose podcasts which challenge my thinking and help my mind expand with the knowledge of others. Many of you know and I am a minister as well as a motivational speaker, coach and consultant. Being a minister, I do as much study as I can, but sometimes the thought of “it has always been done this way” enters my mind. I need challenged out of that and I need to base my beliefs on the Truth, not just mindless actions. I listen to podcasts of people who challenge my thinking concerning the normal, but they challenge it in a positive way.

Here is my question to you this week, “What are you listening to?”

Let me share with you some podcasts I recommend:

• Morning Coach (http://www.morningcoach.com) – An excellent source of inspiration and motivation.
• Andy Stanley – Mr. Stanley is a minister for a church outside of Atlanta. His podcasts will set your mind to a different level of thinking, but they will always give you practical advice for daily life.
• Dale Sadler (http://www.insearchformore.com/) – I went to school with Dale at Freed-Hardeman University. Dale is a great writer as well as a challenging thinker. His podcast will provide you with information to consider and information that is vital to relationships.

Have a great day!

Personal Development – Read, Encourage, Write, Grow

Let me tell you a small secret which will determine every aspect of whether or not you are growing in personal development. It is a small secret, but probably the greatest secret. There are few who practice it. Here it is -> You must DESIRE TO GROW IT!

Did it shock you? I hope not! Practicing personal development is a very simple aspect of life, but few practice it because they to do not desire it.  There are four things I try to accomplish every day and I would like to share those with you to assist you in your personal development. These four small things have made a significant difference in my personal growth, the opportunities that present themselves and the way I can assist others.

My Daily Four:

(1)    Read – Everyday find spend time reading. Read books of encouragement, leadership, personal growth and biographies of people who have grown, succeeded and assisted others. Reading broadens our minds and causes us to generate ideas for greater service.

(2)    Encourage – Actively seek someone to encourage. Whether the person is a small child, a co-worker, neighbor or spouse, give them uplifting words today. If you have trouble speaking to others, get a box of uplifting, encouraging cards and mail one a day to someone in your life. For a greater feeling, leave the card unsigned. Make them wonder who is encouraging them. Leave it unsigned, because bringing glory to ourselves is not really glory, but pride.

(3)    Write – Spend time putting your thoughts and dreams on paper. If you do not journal, give it a shot to see what you can begin developing in your mind and on paper. Some of the greatest ideas and moments have been lost, because someone forgot to write them down. If you are a parent, write down your children’s greatest moments that you always want to have with you. It will make a difference.

(4)    Grow – Decide to do one thing each day to achieve the dream and goals you set. No matter how small or how large you think it might be, do it! Give you best to receive the best!