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There is no limit to our potential; we just need to harness it with the right tools and tactics to achieve our dreams. Do you know that all success stories have a few things in common? Hard work, dedication, steadfastness, and a little bit of luck are the recipe for continued and ultimate success. 

Today, I am going to share my personal development journey with you. Over the years, I have developed a personal development plan that helps me achieve my goals and keeps me moving forward. 

My personal development plan was born from personal experiences, especially failures. Here is how I ended up creating a development plan that keeps me going even today:

1. My Dorm Life 

I graduated college at the age of 22; fresh-faced and bright-eyed, I enthusiastically applied to organizations far and wide. I believed that my energetic disposition, eager attitude, and perfect grades will pave the way for employment without a moment’s delay. Unfortunately, my hopes were dashed to smithereens, and I did not receive any responses to my applications. 

I started becoming hopeless with each passing day. Nothing dampens the spirit like rejection, and every day I felt like I was not good enough. At times I would get a little courage to start something new, but the rejection had affected my self-esteem, making me think I would fail at anything I tried. 

Lesson: Everyone feels lost at some point, don’t be too hard on yourself. 

2. My Research for Success

One day, I told myself that I would not live a life of hopelessness anymore. I started sending my resume to any job opening relevant to my field. As luck would have it, I received a callback and was appointed as an HR trainee in a digital agency. 

Although I was underpaid, I continued with the job because it kept me motivated to keep looking for better opportunities. 

To keep myself motivated, I used two tactics: 

• Gain HR skills to update my resume by taking online courses, watching YouTube videos, and reading blogs from HR experts. 
• Keep myself motivated by listening to motivational speakers and speaking to others in a similar condition

Once, while watching such a motivational video, I came across a 67-step motivational program. Since I had nothing to lose, I thought to give it a try. 

Lesson: Take any opportunity that comes your way and keep learning to keep yourself relevant and motivated. 

“You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” – Zig Ziglar

3. Learning Curve 

The 67 steps of the program consisted of motivational videos. I got a new video every morning. So, I made a routine of watching the video right after breakfast. I used to jot down the important points and tried to follow them as best as I could. 

That motivational program taught me a few helpful things that I still use today. These are:

• Planning 
• Time Management 
• Not Missing any Opportunity: big or small
• Networking

Lesson: Take all the help you can get; learn from your experiences. 

4. Hard work Pays Off 

During this time, I used to post a summary of whatever I learned from the developmental program on Facebook. I intended to help others who were in a similar position through this little effort. 

My summarizations were in the form of short essays. One day, a friend of mine showed his interest in hiring me as a writer for his new project. I always wanted to be a writer, as I love to play with words. 

I started working for him, and with time, I gained good experience in writing. As I gained more experience, I set my eyes on a higher target; I wanted to publish my work on noteworthy sites. I started with Thought Catalog and made it my objective to get an article published on the site. 

With several trials and errors, I finally succeeded in getting my work published on a renowned site. 

Lesson: Use what you learn to your advantage. 

5. My Dedication Opened an Opportunity 

Though I submitted the first one successfully. I was still having trouble getting a second article published, but I did not give up. I decided that I will keep trying to become an exceptional writer.  

Since our failures are our best teachers, I decided to contact the editors for feedback. I asked them to point out what was unacceptable in my writing so that I can improve. This proved exceptionally fruitful, most editors were kind enough to reply. 

I developed several professional associations during this time; seeing my dedication, editors were happy to work with me again. One editor even asked me to work on a joint project on internet marketing services. Our collaboration was successful, and we met our project target within the given time. 

Lesson: Remember, perseverance pays off!

6. Keep At It

Personal development is not a milestone; it is a journey. You must keep moving forward to keep growing. Once you achieve one goal, repeat the same process again to achieve the next goal. Stagnation is not an option! 

Lesson: Keep learning to keep growing. 

“Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish it. The time will pass anyway.” – Earl Nightingale

My Personal Development Program 

Now you know how I created my personal development program. Let’s look at its main steps again:

• Set Goals for yourself – goals keep us motivated.
• Leave no stone unturned – try everything to achieve your goal. 
• Plan, manage time and keep an eye out for any opportunity. You will miss it if you are not looking. 
• Create your own opportunity – put your work out there and network to achieve your goal. 
• Once you achieve a goal, make a new one to keep growing. 

Conclusion 

So, this is how I brought a big change in my life. I ended up becoming a writer, something I never thought was possible. My career in writing was not smooth; I wrote, made blunders, learned from my errors, changed strategies, and finally got success. I am still learning and hope to become even better. 

What’s your personal development plan? Share some details about it with us below!