(Photo : Dmitriy Frantsev via Unsplash)

What is personal growth? It probably means something a little bit different to everyone, but in the broadest strokes, it is about changing your habits or behavior to better align with your goals or to become the person that you wish to be. Often personal growth happens spontaneously, as a result of something that you go through, or simply because you have gained more experience. However, there are also things you can do to push yourself in new directions or to enhance growth you are already experiencing.

Try New Things

One of the very best ways to kickstart personal growth is by forcing yourself to try new things. Unless you are trying to accomplish something specific, what you try is not as important as the fact of trying. You could try a new sport, take a class in something you don't know anything about, or approach problem solving in a different way. Every new thing doesn't have to be something particularly difficult, but from time to time, really give yourself a big challenge. Note how you felt when you tried and what you learned. Think as well about what you would do differently.

Fix Old Things

Another way to experience personal growth is to go back over something that you have been struggling with for a long time and tackle it again. Even if you only make a little progress, you will have learned something new about yourself. Areas where people often struggle to improve including quitting such bad habits as smoking, sticking with an exercise program, or getting their finances in order. You could choose one small thing to do in one of these areas. To improve your financial situation, see if you can spend less money each month. Try carpooling to work or finding free activities to do with your family and friends. See if you can get monthly student debt payments in line by refinancing. Try to cut back on your use of utilities at home. A little bit of progress in this area can motivate you to come back and try again.

Have Adequate Down Time

Even the most outgoing extrovert needs a little down time now and again. Make a regular habit of carving out time to write about your goals, progress, failures, and anything else that's on your mind in a journal. Ideally, you would spend at least a few minutes each day doing this, but if you can't manage that, set aside a little reflective period weekly. Strategize what you want to do in the days and week ahead. Consider what opportunities await you and how you can grow through taking advantage of them.

Find a Mentor

A mentor is someone more experienced who offers you professional or personal guidance. Finding a mentor can result in a big leap forward in your growth because you have someone who is almost like a personal tour guide to help push you to new heights. You might find a mentor in the workplace, at school, or in some other organization that you are affiliated with. Some organizations have formal mentoring programs that you can sign up for that will match you with a mentor.