What is the single most important thing a person can do to grow?

[ThePocketface]

What would you say, based on your life experiences, is the single most important thing to do to help themselves grow?

 

Was it an idea that came to you, an inspirational moment, or something else?

[Ronni_W]

Not quite sure I understand the question but.

IMO, for any individual, the "single most" important would be to improve in the area that is causing the most stress, distress, hardship, problem, concern, etc.

 

Generally, I view personal growth/improvement as being about uncovering (and making accurate) one's false beliefs and working to replace ineffective/maladaptive "coping" strategies with more productive/effective ways of doing, saying and being.

[Thaddeus]

Well, that pretty much depends on where you believe your weaknesses are.

 

If you're highly intelligent but have the physical attributes of a flagpole, then probably hitting the gym might be best. If you're built like a brick sh*thouse but have the intellectual capacity of a treestump, maybe the library might be a good place to start.

 

Those are just physical developments, but the same goes for other types too. Shy? Expand your social circle. Failure with the opposite sex? There are books that can help. Deluded into believing in astrology or religion? Take a science class.

 

It's entirely dependent on where you are and where you wish to be.

[akazid]

What I've been taught is "invest in yourself".

 

Basically, educate yourself and take care of yourself. As much as other people say they can take care of you noone will take care of you as much and as well as you can take care of yourself.

 

For example, instead of buying a house as an investment go to school (be smart about the loans though) as an investment.

 

If you are shy, as another posted stated, then increase your circle of friends and learn to approach people. Most people don't bite.

 

If you are in a bad situation find a way to improve your situation.

 

Basically, "invest in yourself" as that's one investment that will last your lifetime.

[HappyAgain]

One word: maturity.

 

Learn something from the experiences they have gone through. Don't just go through everything and never pick anything up from the experience.

[Jimmy's_Brother]

What would you say, based on your life experiences, is the single most important thing to do to help themselves grow?

 

My number one, best answer I can give you:

 

get rid of all the toxic people in your life. You know the ones. The complainers. The users. The tag-alongs. The bring-downs. The bad family members. The fairweather friends.

 

Cut them out of your life like the tumors they truly are, and you can begin to meet new, better people.

[2sunny]

one word will do it all... CHANGE!

[Jimmy's_Brother]

Rrright... but "change," as evidenced by Obama's campaign, is vague and means nothing in itself.

 

What is important is the ROAD to change. How are you gonna make changes in your life?

[wuggle]

IMO the best way to grow is to accept that everything we do is to satisfy our own super inflated ego, then try as hard as you can to not give up trying to figure out what the point of living is if not to satisfy this ego, in the face of all logic which states that everything you can and will do is ultimately pointless and meaningless.

 

Or you could just think 'sod it , i'll never figure it out' and crack open another beer

[hopesndreams]

IMO the best way to grow is to accept that everything we do is to satisfy our own super inflated ego, then try as hard as you can to not give up trying to figure out what the point of living is if not to satisfy this ego, in the face of all logic which states that everything you can and will do is ultimately pointless and meaningless.

 

Or you could just think 'sod it , i'll never figure it out' and crack open another beer

 

I think the most important thing is finding happiness from within and not looking to others for that happiness.

[2sunny]

[/b]

 

I think the most important thing is finding happiness from within and not looking to others for that happiness.

 

this means nothing... sounds like acceptance - which is never going to promote change that the OP is searching for.

 

change could look like...

 

setting a healthy boundary for yourself to live by and sticking with it so that it allows you to be happy.

 

for me - my healthy boundary consists of decisions that keep me happy, healthy and safe. every time i am faced with a challenge - i ask myself - what would it look like if i made a decision about this based on my boundary?

 

the answer is not always easy to follow through with... but always ends up being the best choice for a solution - which keeps me out of trouble - and bad choices too. the end result is usually very happy.

[hopesndreams]

I'll just crack open another beer then.

[Meaplus3]

One word? Acceptance. How important it is to accept people for who there are.. as well to accept yourself.. for beign you.

 

Mea:)

[You'reasian]

My number one, best answer I can give you:

 

get rid of all the toxic people in your life. You know the ones. The complainers. The users. The tag-alongs. The bring-downs. The bad family members. The fairweather friends.

 

Cut them out of your life like the tumors they truly are, and you can begin to meet new, better people.

 

Excellent point.

 

I'd also add that each of us needs to work on ourself some way or another. Some folks may be well organized, great planners others capable of getting things done; some folks are detail oriented, others big picture...

 

Going on your people influences, find friends who can strengthen our weaknesses.

 

Also find great mentors throughout your life. There are men whom have become masters in their trade in their 50's whom can mentor experts in their 40's who can in turn mentor the competitive 30's who can in turn mentor the motivated 20's...

[RedDevil66]

Living alone

[Jimmy's_Brother]

There are men whom have become masters in their trade in their 50's whom can mentor experts in their 40's who can in turn mentor the competitive 30's who can in turn mentor the motivated 20's...

 

Nicely put. Good point. "Pay it Forward," for example, is a crappy, crappy movie, but its message is great, and that seems to be what YA is talking about here.

[big_girls_rock]

I would say, to have learned. It's very humbling, and you always grow no matter how old you are when you expand your mind and learn something.

[monkey00]

I would say the single most important thing is to have an open mind, say yes to awkward situations, activities you would not consider, people you would usually not talk to. By having an open mind, being accepting of change and growth is the single most powerful thing you can do for yourself physically and/or psychologically.

 

I've never seen the movie "yes man" with Jim Carrey. But the movie does teach a valuable lesson in and of itself with the development of his character through his somewhat reckless yet bold assertion in saying yes to everything that comes his way.

 

You can use mistakes/failures and turn it into success, accomplishments. You can only rise after you have fallen many, many times. New experiences also make you a more well-rounded confident person.

[shaunwu]

Self-actualization helps you to grow fast in all aspects.

Reflect your past, work on the present, plan for the future.

[Ruby Slippers]

Do what you know is right. And stick with it.

[Trialbyfire]

The single most important aspect, IMO, is to realize that you're not a victim. You are responsible and have control over your own decisions in life. If life throws you a curveball, you have control over your own reactions and decisions, to the curveball.

 

If you hit a hard fork in the road, spend a little time and energy trying to figure out the long-term ramifications of taking either road, then choose wisely, which road to take.