Personal growth is a lifelong activity, although when we are young it can be easy to think that the process should be complete when we are done growing physically. It is an ongoing process just like getting in better physical shape, requiring practice, pauses to consider progress towards personal goals, and persistent effort. While goals may vary for different people, everyone starts the path to personal development in the same place: deciding that it is important, and defining why it is important on an individual level.

Fiction, whether delivered in novel, television, or motion picture form, is filled with examples of people struggling for personal development. Usually the hero is successful, while the villain of the tale never sees the point in the effort and is baffled by the hero's attempts. An anti-hero such as Scrooge in the classic tale "A Christmas Carol" can start out with a contemptuous attitude and then experience an about-face in priorities, ending well down the path toward growing as a person.

Making the effort to grow personally is a decision that has to come to everyone at his own time. We can try to raise children with the motives and priorities that will start them on the path, but at some point without inner motivation the effort begins to be pointless. Just as someone can be directed to go on a strict diet and exercise regimen, without the inner drive to succeed, that someone will never reach the goals set.

Progress in personal growth can do much more toward a happy, healthy life than prescription pills can offer, because becoming a better person is a change at a foundational level, not the temporary fix of chemicals. Such growth can encompass many different areas of life; each person needs to undergo self-evaluation at some point. What character flaws are preventing a happier life? What goals seem impossible to reach?

If such inner examination comes unnaturally or seems impossible, try to consider yourself as a character in a story. If you were reading this story, would you cheer for that character; if not, what would have to change to convince you to root for that character's success? Jot down a quick lifetime outline of the character that is you, including both victories and failures. Determine what led to the victories, and list those things under strengths. Then examine the failures; think about how they could have been prevented.

Personal growth can be achieved by first deciding to try, then setting goals, and finally working toward those goals on a daily basis.

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