Personal Development
Personal Development
Overview
Personal development focuses on personal and professional goals. Learning, having fun, and practicing new skills will make your life more interesting and joyful. Personal development moves you toward what matters most to you, so you can live your best life. That’s what Whole Health is all about.
Why does personal development matter?
Learning and growing can be empowering. Personal development gives you more options and more control over your life, which can give you more confidence and better health. Learning to balance your time and spending it on what really matters to you can lower your stress level, which may support you mentally and physically.
Here's more
Personal development is where the “rubber meets the road” on your Whole Health journey. When you have decided what matters most to you, you can better identify areas for growth. Personal development could include:
- Improving or learning a talent or skill
- Continuing your education
- Managing your finances or investments
- Volunteering
- Playing music or creating art
It doesn’t have to be a huge undertaking. Small changes can make a big difference. Read a book on finances, watch a video on how to play guitar, or listen to a podcast on something that interests you.
Take action
Think about how you spend your time and whether you want to make some changes. Try to bring mindful awareness into your personal development efforts. Your mind and body are sending you messages all the time. Being mindful means paying attention to those messages and asking, “What do I need right now to make my life better?”
When you work on personal development, set realistic goals. Consider working with a Whole Health coach who can help you set goals and check in with you as you work to reach them. Ask about whether you can work with someone like this at your local VA site.
Many VA medical centers offer activities to help you learn and grow. Contact your VA facility to find out about local Whole Health offerings.
Explore further
Check out these resources to learn more about personal development and how it can help you live Whole Health.
- Live Whole Health #199: Playing with your schedule - VA News
- VA Education And Training Benefits | Veterans Affairs
- National Recreation Therapy Service - Rehabilitation and Prosthetic Services (va.gov)
- Learn about Whole Health activities at your local VA facility.
