Develop Personal Leadership

It is obvious that personal leadership involves change. We may excuse ourselves from developing personal leadership by pointing to ingrained habits and attitudes firmly entrenched since early childhood; in the world of reality, however, we can see that people do change – often dramatically. It is possible to develop the art of personal leadership through changing habits and attitudes. Whether you pursue a course that leads to mediocrity or set out on a journey to outstanding success is a matter of your own free choice.

When you choose to break out of a conditioned existence, consider these three areas:

• Self-knowledge. Personal growth requires self-knowledge. Examine your values, your habits, and the things you believe. Take a look at the desires that motivate you and the purpose you have for your life. Become aware of strengths you have upon which to build and the areas in which additional growth is needed.
• Goal setting. When you know who you are, recognize your strengths and weaknesses, and understand what is important to you in life, you are in a position to set challenging goals that will organize and direct your activity and make the best possible use of your potential.
• Attitudes and habits. Just as you developed your present habits through the repetition of actions or thoughts, you can change attitudes and habits that are not working well for you. Identify the new habit or attitude you believe will be important to your success. Plan specific actions you can take and schedule them into your daily activity. Use whatever reminders are necessary to see that you take these actions until they become automatic from repetition.

As you take action on your goals, you will be developing the new habits and attitudes that will condition you for success and mold you into the person you want to be.

Reprinted from the LMI Total Leader™ Journal published for Leadership Management International, Inc. by Rutherford Communications.