Choose Your Own Path: 4 Different Styles of Personal Growth

Throughout this blog, I've talked a lot about personal growth, and the way I approach it. But I've left out a very important piece of knowledge. Namely: you're free to disregard everything I say, and grow as you see fit.

In my mind, the only wrong path is refusing to grow and change at all. It's fine if you read 50 of my posts, then go out and ignore all of them. The point is to get moving, whichever path you take. There are many alternate paths, which by lack of experience, I haven't spoken of in-depth: but in order to set you off towards further research and experimentation, I shall describe them briefly. Note that I can't possibly describe all the paths, since they are limitless, but I'll try to speak about most of the major ones.

1. Progression

This is my path: I thought I'd start with what I know most. Progression is about measurable, attainable advances over specific periods of time. It's a very logical way of looking at things: if progress is measurable, it's easy to see you've attained it. As an extension of this progression, progressionists often set meta-goals, like my three-month areas of focus.

2. Intuition

This is the other extreme: I wouldn't recommend it to beginners. Even progressionists must use some intuition: otherwise how do you know what to aim your goals for? But dedicate intuitive growers rarely, if ever, actually set written goals: rather, they allow their own intuition and the universe to teach them as they see fit. This is a very creative, flowing way of looking at things: good for those who don't like restrictions.

3. Research

This personal growth enthusiast will dive into a topic, looking deeply and gaining as much knowledge as possible about a topic, before moving into a progression type goal of setting a measurable outcome. If knowledge is power, researchers hold all the cards. Good for knowing what you're up against.

4. Self-Trust

This circle often follows their own feelings and emotions as to what to do. If something feels "right", it's the way to go. If something feels wrong, it's not even considered. A lot of people, once they reach a certain level of consciousness, will adopt this motif, although they may use another primary method. Good for those who have high levels of self trust.

In my opinion, a conscious person will be able to draw from all four of these paths, but most people lean towards a specific one. Try doing a 30-day trial of switching to a different path. If you're very intuitive, try researching everything. Or ignore your feelings, and do what your brain says is correct. I don't suggest making this permanent, but if you have a rudimentary understanding of the other paths (as I must, because I have to write about them) you'll be able to harness them.

As a question: I'd like to know from all my readers, what path are you on? Most people will have a primary, and a secondary: I'm a progression / research person. I researched a LOT for polyphasic sleep, but mostly I stick to measurable goals. Either I attain it, or I do not.

Until next time, may you see from the other side of the coin.