Humans are the only species with the power to self-analyse and improve. Tupac Shakur had once said, “I want to grow. I want to be better. You grow. We all grow. We’re made to grow. You either evolve or you disappear.” Therefore, nobody will ever be perfect.. We’re born with flaws. We develop into flawed individuals. But we also have the power to recognise these flaws and correct them.

Some of the things that we can do to develop ourselves into a better versions of ourselves are listed below. But each one’s recognition of their personal areas of improvement are different and as soon as we are able to put a finger on exactly what it is that we need and what we need to do about it, we have already won half the battle to personal growth.

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  1. Be confident. A lot of people that I have seen are brilliant minds who have unparalleled knowledge about their fields, but lack the confidence to step forward and talk about it. You don’t need to be a boastful, arrogant know-it-all, but confidence is the key to many doors. Let’s not forget that in any job application or university entrance, apart from grades and previous work experience, a personal interview round is also conducted to gauge our overall personalities. Therefore, confidence is a weapon and an ornament that must be adorned by each one of us in order to excel.
  2. Learn a new language. This not only enhances your personality more, looks great on your resume and helps you communicate with the people of a new country better, but it is also a lot of fun! Try and learn a language that you would enjoy speaking, or one that fascinates you or learn the language of the place you wish to travel to someday. Whatever your reason, just learn a new language.
  3. Be street smart. Being knowledgeable on paper is very important and helps us excel in our chosen careers, but being street smart is a must to cope with daily life situations. No one should be able to fool you while you go grocery shopping. Learn to haggle and bargain. Know the prices of the vegetables and fruits. Try and tell the difference between fake and real cashmere, face and real leather and fake and real people.
  4. Travel, have new adventures and new experiences. Sitting behind a desk 24/7 and reading about places or people or cultures on the internet can only take you so far. Actually being out there, being on the road and being in between diversity of nature and people and races and castes and cultures can enhance your knowledge to a new high. You also learn a new skill set altogether, first hand from the new people you encounter during your expeditions. Not just that, traveling is a great way to take a break from our mundane lives and clear our heads for a while, allowing us to come back and continue working with renewed enthusiasm and vigour.

Spend time with your friends, family and close ones. This is a very important step for personal development. The kind of reviews about yourself and the kind of criticism, support and love that the people close to you, the people who actually care, can offer can be found nowhere else. Whether it’s a problem you’re sucked in or an accomplishment you want to share, these people will be the first ones to know and the only ones who would share your joy or sorrow. Confiding in them, will give you new perspectives and new strength to cope with any situation you face.