If you’re falling apart, chances are your relationship is, too!
Personal development is not selfish. It is, in fact, an investment in a healthy, long-term relationship. If you invest some of the resources at your disposal – time, energy, and even money- into your personal growth, you will be able to make wiser, healthier decisions and be better able to face challenges and storms that come. As a result, you will be a better you for yourself and a better you for your mate.
If you wait for things to “work out” in your life and relationship, you will likely be disappointed. Be proactive and make the change happen by
first “being the change you want to see in the world.” It may feel like working on personal enrichment throws your relationship out of balance, and, in truth, it probably will. You and your partner will find a new, healthier balance, though, if you are both committed to making your relationship work. Relationships are either growing, or they are declining. There is no standing still. And that growth begins with you individually.
Below are listed some of the benefits of investing in your relationship through personal enrichment:
- Self-awareness.
Self-awareness is the beginning step in the personal growth process. This is the first step in personal growth. Do you know who you are and what you want? What are your values and beliefs? Have you identified your purpose, and are you pursuing it? Are the purposes of you and your mate in line with or complementary to each other? Living out your purpose with the support and encouragement of your partner is fulfilling, but you first have to know who you are and what you want and be able to communicate that.
- Momentum
Being self-aware is just the first step. Without it, we begin to feel as if we have stalled out and are going nowhere. Now that you are clearer on what you wish to achieve with your life and relationship, you can begin to move forward and gain momentum. Decision-making becomes easier because you can determine which choice best supports your vision, values, and purpose. With each positive choice, you can feel your life moving forward. It can be a little – or a lot- scary, but it is not stuck.
- Focus and Productivity
Even though you are clearer on your purpose and direction, it can seem that there are one hundred and one tasks looking for your attention. The more you grow and develop and the clearer that you are on your objectives, the more quickly you can identify and prioritize the tasks that will yield the best results. You will play to your strengths and delegate or delete tasks that don’t. As a result, you will be more effective and happier – a definite benefit to your partner!
- Stronger Motivation.
When you can visualize and verbalize the end goals, it is easier to see the benefits of taking action. This is true even if the actions are not necessarily enjoyable. The reward of achieving your desired goal or outcome will help you have the will to keep going and keep working toward it. In addition, a shared vision for your relationship will keep both you and your mate motivated when those times come when it would seem easier to quit.
- Toughness and Flexibility.
There will be tough times in your life. Likewise, there will be tough times in your relationship. Personal development will not prevent these from happening, but it will help you be “tough enough” to deal with them. You will be able to bend and not break. You will have greater resilience, self-confidence, and interpersonal skills to cope with whatever may come.
- Fulfilling Relationships.
Your partner in a relationship can either free you to be the best version of yourself, or they can seek to confine and control you to be what they need or want. And really, they can very often do both at the same time! We are not perfect people who know how to love perfectly, and neither or they. You can learn to draw healthy boundaries and enforce them through personal growth. You can learn to be true to your values and your purpose. You can learn to communicate and to identify and control your emotions. You can become aware of your own toxic or unloving beliefs and behaviors and become a great spouse for your spouse.
