Personal Development for Busy Adults - Next Year, Same As This Year.

By Eric Scott

The Martial Arts Perspective

I have an awesome job. I teach full-time, and get to use mixed martial arts and self-defense as a vessel for personal development for kids and adults. The children get it that they are supposed to be learning full-time, and their parents invest in them. The parents are far more of a challenge when faced with their own personal development. On occasion adults would rather sacrifice than set aside the time for their own development plan. Some adults think it's egotistic - that learning and personal development is a luxurious excess.



Lifelong Learning

Learning is not an indulgence , but it's a pastime; however , learning is the only leisure activity that offers a return on the investment of money and time. We are almost all of the way through 2015. My clients hear it from me at least once a month. Next year will be the same as this year, apart from these 3 things - the people you have met, the books you have read, and the things you are better at. Human connections, information, and abilities.

Beginning an Israeli Krav Maga self-defense program is empowering but might not be for everyone, but the plan must include something that is challenging and time-bound. One issue is that the types of goals we will be able to set and enjoy don't appear courageous. But the fact is that if we're not growing a little, we're dying a little.



A Basic Development Plan:

I am not getting preachy with adults, but when I am getting questions, I share an example of what I do every month:

Read one book a month on an interesting topic

Make a short list of work and private abilities I would like to work on, and do it. Not moving mountains, small things. Lynda.com could be a great resource for this. I learned video editing, which is great for personal and business. There is a boom in learning chances for anything you'd need to learn - including my online Krav Maga programs.

Put the phone down and strike up an interesting conversation with somebody at the coffee shop once a week, and spend 20 minutes finding out about what she or he does. It's the most simple place in the world to have a genuine conversation, while not having to "network. " (Yuck)

The months roll by and I I never have the wherewithal I would like. Neither will you. It's gratifying to know I'm making a tiny bit of progress at a time, which is coincidentally also the key to progress in martial arts.

About the Author:

Eric Scott is a pro martial arts instructor and founder of Self-defense Global . Self-defense Global offers gear, coaching, and training missions for a safer life. He offers a free video introductory class which has additional info than most paid programs including a week of video lessons, and a free electronic book.