Innovative approaches to personal growth
There is so much information available to us in the wellness space and there are numerous innovative approaches to personal growth that often appear to be focussed on the wild and wacky rather than effective.
Think goat Yoga, mouth-taping and bee sting therapy!
The pursuit of growth is an ever-evolving journey where traditional methods and innovative approaches to personal growth both have their merits. To effectively unlock new dimensions of self-discovery and transformation, I want to offer you the opportunity to do both.
We’re delving into the realm of innovative strategies for personal growth, inviting you to explore new ideas and perspectives that can propel you towards your fullest potential.
6 Innovative approaches to personal growth
1. Embrace Lifelong Learning
It’s easy to accept every news article on the latest wellness trend as fact but I urge you to do some research first. Whilst most ‘new’ therapies derive from ancient practices, they tend to offer an incomplete picture of the effectiveness of any particular method.
One of the ways I support my clients to choose the right wellbeing practices for themselves is by evaluating what they are interested in, what they are open to and whether they’re looking for a quick fix or a sustainable approach.
To be truly informed about the different modalities available to you, I first recommend citing the origins of an innovation or new method. Learn the context of that modality and then see if the method makes sense to your life and your needs. Nearly all ancient philosophies offer methods that work in harmony with all the elements of their content, so perhaps doing methods in silo is not going to be as effective as doing them as a whole.
2. Cultivate a Growth Mindset
At the core of innovative personal growth lies the cultivation of a growth mindset. Instead of viewing challenges as roadblocks, see them as opportunities for learning and development. Embrace setbacks as valuable lessons and celebrate progress, however small. By reframing your perspective, you empower yourself to overcome obstacles with resilience and determination.
What’s most helpful in having a growth mindset is that it will help you to make informed decisions towards your well-being needs. If something sounds crazy, it may well be a crazy idea but if you’re open and curious, you never know, that particular method for personal growth might just be what you need.
3. Experiment with New Practices
Break free from routine and dare to experiment with new practices. Whether it’s mindfulness meditation, journaling or creative expression, explore activities that resonate with your unique journey of self-discovery. Innovative approaches to personal growth encourage you to step outside of your comfort zone and discover hidden talents and passions.
As well as benefitting your growth, when you try new things, you also get to inspire and connect with other people. Community is so important in our ever-disconnected societies that embracing new avenues for growth with other people can have a massive impact on the quality of your relationships. Make new friends and learn to harness your existing ones through the power of self-discovery and openness to possibilities.
“Absorb what is useful. Discard what is not. Add what is uniquely your own.” — Bruce Lee
4. Harness the Power of Technology
It’s easy to think that I’m anti-tech but actually, it’s the opposite. I love the innovation of tech in making our lives easier but I do believe that we need to be more mindful with how we use and embrace technology.
Apps can be a great starting point in your journey of personal growth but I urge you to not rely on them solely.
- It’s hard to stay motivated and keep up with the app
- You’ll spend money that could be used in more helpful ways that feed your soul
- Overreliance on tech defeats the purpose of harnessing wellbeing
Use tech to introduce you to new ideas and approaches. Once you’ve established that you like something and it benefits you, take it offline and see where the journey goes.
For example, if you want to get into journalling but struggle to keep up with regular practice, a journalling app will be helpful for the prompts through notifications. Taking it offline means that you grow further by journalling because you want to. The next step is actually not to journal and instead have grown into your acceptance of life with all its ebbs and flows.
5. Seek Diverse Perspectives
When clients work with me on their well-being goals, it’s easy for me to say that my way is the best way but I don’t. I offer them solutions based on where they currently are in their approach to personal growth and where they want to be. I map out a journey and show them where they could be if they follow a particular path. It’s up to them then to embrace all the steps or simply the ones that resonate most.
Be open to listening to different perspectives so that you can make informed decisions about your well-being. There is no one particular method that will get you to approach your personal growth with guaranteed success. Every method has its merits but you’ll never know unless you’re open to exploring them.
6. Embrace Failure as Fuel for Growth
Embrace failure as a natural part of the growth process – a stepping stone towards success – and extract valuable lessons from your experiences. Adopt a mindset of resilience and adaptability, knowing that each setback brings you closer to your goals.
Life is not linear therefore any experiences within your life will not be either. Personal growth requires so much openness, patience and compassion towards your discoveries. Self-awareness is a game-changer and failure is a core component to the self-discovery journey. Accepting that and accepting the flow of life will enable you to cultivate more contentment and calm as you progress through each chapter of your life.
Innovative approaches to personal growth offer an abundance of opportunities for exploration and self-discovery. By embracing new ideas and perspectives, you empower yourself to break free from limitations and unleash your full potential. Remember, the journey towards personal growth is not a destination but a continuous evolution—a journey of self-discovery and transformation that knows no bounds. Embrace innovation, and let it propel you towards a future filled with infinite possibilities.
I’m Puja McClymont. I specialise in coaching senior leaders who make an impact to help them expand the possibilities of their potential, creating further growth and meaningful impact.
Through my distinctive approach which combines ancient wisdom with modern psychology, clients enable every facet of their lives to thrive, creating extraordinary outcomes.
