# Self Development This will be updated and clarified as I proceed/progress. For now, I need to get this "out of my mind" and out into my notes. Updates to occur when they occur as they occur :) ### Practice Being the Person You've Always Wanted to Become I've been on a path of self-development & have found the following useful in this endeavor. #### Journaling Specifically, I have found that the [Bullet Journal Method](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fm15cmYU0IM) has been incredibly effective. I'll go in to greater detail in the future. However in the meantime, a few of the benefits are: - Clearing your mind. There is no point in trying to remember everything and keeping that in your "working" mind. Meaning that it becomes difficult to know what to do next when you have your attention diverted into so many different areas at once. - Writing it down, can help develop clarity & identify priorities. - Routine & habit tracking. This can be useful to hold yourself accountable & track progress throughout your life. - For example, I use it to track sleeping, fitness protocol, and other daily habits I want to track & ensure I perform regularly. This not only develops self-responsibility, it allows for self-reflection. What have I been doing? How long have I been performing it? - Documenting your life! Writing makes it real! That is to say, that your life is worth remembering. - If not for the you of *now*, the you of **tomorrow**! The Bullet Journal method can become an invaluable tool for your self-development! For detailed information, check out the book below in the [[#Reading]] section. ###### Materials - Leuchtturm1917 [Bullet Journal Edition 2](https://www.leuchtturm1917.us/bullet-journal-edition-2.html). - I use these personally. I enjoy these specifically for the colours of the journals, page numbering and bullet points on the page. It's the "official" journal of the Bullet Journal method, too. However any dotted journal will work. - [Dot Journal (Black)](https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/606246/dot-journal-black-by-potter-gift/9781984825599) - [Moleskine Classic Notebook](https://a.co/d/9gXAHhz) #### Reading The following books have been helpful for adjusting my lifestyle & actively improve it. ##### [Atomic Habits](https://jamesclear.com/atomic-habits) If you're needing help with developing new habits or breaking old ones, this book can help. It offers practical methods & examples of implementing habits for successful outcomes. ##### [I Will Teach You To Be Rich](https://a.co/d/cApTbas) Yes, the name sounds somewhat like clickbait but do not allow that to deter you. Unfamiliar with managing finances, investments or budgeting? Then this very simple book will guide you on how to do so! Even if you feel you're doing fine with managing your funds, I highly recommend checking this out, you may stumble across something useful. ##### [The Bullet Journal Method](https://a.co/d/05JDVqM) I mentioned above a brief why as to a few of the reasons I am using this method. With that being mentioned, while you don't need to actually read the book itself to use the method, it may give you some insight to your own journey. ##### [How to Take Smart Notes](https://a.co/d/6gwZen4) Notation has recently received a resurgence of interest. With good cause too! We live in a data-centric & information based world. Being a knowledge worker is becoming more prevalent. Meaning that now, more so than ever before, without developing the skills to keep up, there is no question - you will be left behind. Not just in work but more importantly in life itself. This book is not about developing notation skills for your profession, it is about developing note taking skills for your *life*. Along with [[#Journaling]] & [[#Therapy]] this can assist with improving yourself & life! ##### [Art & Fear](https://a.co/d/gvxwhYI) Are you having a difficult time of expressing your creativity? Do you feel afraid or unsure about what you're doing with regard to your creativity? Great! This book, I feel, offers some practical, sound and realistic advise on moving past those burdens. After reading this book, I've felt less anxious about doing my "work", ("work" as in my creative endeavors - such as this page you're reading ;) ). #### Therapy The reality is this, plain & simple: - Without the **YOU** in **YOUR** life, *nothing else* matters! Since participating in the therapeutic process I have developed a sense of clarity that I have **never** experienced before in my life. That is to say, the burdens of life, the traumas survived clouded my perspective, frame of thought and distorted my value of self. Please, you deserve and owe it to **yourself** to heal. To truly be able to engage with life fully & completely. It is never to late to begin - so please start ***now***.