Ask Erin: FIFTEEN WAYS TO “GROW YOURSELF” IN 2020

by ERIN SHARPLIN LOVE | erinlove@panachebyerin.com

Learning about personal growth became a huge part of my life around ten years ago, and I just can’t seem to get enough of it. I seek ways to improve myself and the other important areas of my life that include, but are not limited to, relationships, finances, business, and spiritual growth. I feel as though this process has enriched my life, so I can’t stress enough the importance of incorporating the following tips into your everyday life. If you do, I can guarantee that 2020 will be your best year yet!

1. Commit to reading at least one nonfiction book per month. You probably already know that one of the keys to personal growth is reading, but do you actually take the time to do it? I listed this step first because it is one of the most important and effective ways to elevate your life and GROW. So, if the answer is “no,” is it because you don’t know where to start? Or is it that you can’t find time? Both of these situations can be overcome. To answer the first question, here is a list of a few of my favorite
personal growth books – “The Success Principles” by Jack Canfield, “Think and Grow Rich” by Napoleon Hill, “You Are a Badass” by Jen Sincero, and “The 10x Rule” by Grant Cardone. To answer the second question – you must MAKE time. Don’t forget that many books come in an audio version that you can listen to on the go, in the car, while cleaning house, etc. Take advantage of it. I have “read,” at least, double the amount of books that I set as a goal for myself using Audible. Another way to make time is to work by the 60/10 rule. This rule states that you should work in increments of sixty minutes and then take a break and read for ten minutes. *Note: Please share your favorite books with me @erinsharplinlove or by email.

2. Plan a purposeful break AND a fun one. I suggest planning at least one purposeful break each month and a fun one. These dates should be planned at the beginning of each month and WRITTEN DOWN in your calendar so they are more likely to happen. For instance, it may be set in stone that you plan a purposeful day on the first Friday of every month and a fun day on the last Friday of every month. A “purposeful” break would be anything that moves you closer toward your ultimate goals. Maybe you will sit down and work on your vision board, or you will plan your budget for the month. The point is to make the break meaningful in the fulfillment of your goals. Your fun break should be just that – fun, no work – for a full day. I suggest turning off your phone and distracting yourself from anything that could keep you from the goal of having fun. Go on a day trip with a friend or spend the day getting a massage, facial, and pedicure. The choice is yours; just make sure no work is involved.

3. Do something that scares you as often as possible. One of my worst fears used to be public speaking. I remember how horrible it felt just before I was to present for a class and other large groups of people, but I MADE myself do it over and over until I became better at it. Although I still get a bit nervous before a presentation, it is nothing like it used to be. I attribute that to the fact that I did the thing that scared me until it wasn’t so scary anymore and, thus, I grew from it. Now, when I feel scared of something, I make myself do it anyway. Look for ways to do what scares you!

4. Get rid of a bad habit and create a new one. Stopping a bad habit and creating a new one forces your brain to adjust and grow to accommodate the change. So, what bad habit is looming over your head right now? Maybe it is a health concern (smoking, for instance) or it could be a lifestyle concern (always running late, for instance). In my experience, concentrating on creating a new habit in place of the bad habit is the easiest and most effective way to change. For instance, if your bad habit is smoking, perhaps you should focus on creating the habit of chewing a piece of gum or going for a brisk walk when the urge to smoke creeps up on you. And if your bad habit is always running late, focus on getting up ten minutes earlier than usual instead of rushing. The point is to focus on the positive and not the negative.

5. Start a journal. I recently shared with a friend that the ONE thing that I do to get “unstuck” is to journal. When I feel confused, scrambled, down, or in any way negative, I sit down with a notebook, set a timer for ten minutes and write. I get EVERYTHING out of my head and onto that paper. It may be a jumbled mess, or it may just be me writing the same sentence over and over; but by the end of my ten minutes, I always see a solution to my problem or, at the very least, feel better about my circumstances. I swear by this and hope you will try it, too.

6. Start a kindness campaign. “In a world where you can be anything, be kind.”- Author Unknown. Not only does the act of kindness affect you in a positive way, but it creates a trickle effect that affects others and is unstoppable. I love the idea of creating a kindness campaign wherein you find one kind thing to do each day or each week. For instance, a simple smile to a stranger; a cup of coffee for the person behind you; a handwritten letter to a friend; letting a car out in traffic, etc. I have already begun preparing a list of “52 Acts of Kindness” that I intend to implement beginning the first week of January. If you want to join, email me or message me @erinsharplinlove.

7. Seek out one new person to meet or have a coffee date with once a month. These efforts can result in mutual meetings of the minds. You should get advice, creative criticism, etc. from each other to help both of you grow. Seeking advice from someone new stands the chance to open up tons of ideas and opportunities that never would have happened otherwise. *Note: Please seek me out for a meeting! I would love to toss around ideas.

8. Organize and clean one room of your home a month. In my experience as a professional organizer, I can personally attest to the fact that an organized space creates room for new and good things to happen in your home, in your life, and in your brain. It is miraculous how clear-headed you will become once the space around you is organized and calm. Therefore, I suggest that you take the time each month EVERY YEAR to organize one room of your home per month. During the organizing process you should get rid of anything that is not serving the purpose of moving you forward toward your goals. For instance, where your closet is concerned, you could ask yourself if a particular shirt, pair of pants, shoes, etc. promotes the image you want to portray. If not, it should go. Furthermore, I suggest switching, or coming up with a new way of organizing each room as well. I am a firm believer that moving and changing things will ignite inspiration and make your brain work in new ways, thus serving the purpose of growth. Change your space, change your life.

9. Read, listen to, or attend one industry specific event each month. This tip differs from my very first tip of “read one nonfiction book per month” by focusing specifically on your field of expertise instead of simply personal growth or self-help. For instance, I take time to peruse new homes and other interior design work that I admire. I also read blogs and search Pinterest for new organizing ideas. What industry specific event can you attend or do each month?

10. Set goals and reach them! We have all made goals with no specific plan for actually reaching them. It seems to be something that everyone does – make goals, write them down, and then forget about them. What good is that? The first mistake that most people make is that their goals are too high to achieve, so they are easily discarded. The trick is to set S.M.A.R.T. (Specific. Measurable. Achievable. Realistic. Time-based) and get a plan. Without a plan, your goals will not be achieved. Take the time
each month to write a roadmap for goals and review it. This could be something you could do during one of your “purposeful” breaks.

11. Turn your focus to what you are grateful for. I suggest that you take time before drifting off to sleep each night to focus on what you were grateful for from the day. If you like to journal, you may even want to write them down. Furthermore, if you catch yourself feeling sorry for yourself or feeling down instead of grateful, I suggest steering your thoughts away from the negative and toward the positive. Train your brain to see the bright side of experiences and grow.

12. Work on developing and challenging your brain, and I suggest doing this the fun way! Plan a game night with family and/or friends with card games, board games, and other brain-challenging activities. Making your brain work in new and different ways will keep it young, healthy, and eager to grow.

13. Stay up on local and national news. Not only will this tip help you to make a great debate partner at a social event, but it will also keep your brain active. If the news depresses you, by all means, change the channel or station when something comes on that you don’t want to listen to, but don’t let it deter you from learning critical financial, presidential, and safety news that can affect the way you vote in elections and purchase essentials for your family. Stay in the know!

14. Help others grow. You grow by helping others grow. If you read a book that you think someone else could benefit from, share it with them. Mail it to them or drop it off at his or her office. When you happen upon an article related to a friend’s business, I suggest passing it along to them by sharing it on their Facebook page for instance. You could also share this article with friends and family who are interested in personal growth.

15. Figure out who you truly are. What are your strengths? What are your weaknesses? What are your values? If you do not know the answer to these questions, it is time to sit down and truly figure them out. There are virtually endless choices of books and websites that will lead you through all of the questions that will help you find your true purpose and true self. I suggest that you take the time at the beginning of 2020 to sit down and begin answering them. Just this one, and final, tip will lead your personal growth to skyrocketing limits.

I truly practice what I preach when it comes to personal growth. Please let me know if you have any questions or suggestions on what I could add to my personal growth challenge.

Here’s to a wonderful 2020!