Personal Development

Personal development is an on-going process. It does not stop once we leave an institution of formal education. On the contrary, it should increase once we have left. The reason why is because a formal education prepares us with the foundation to learn and develop. Afterwards, it is up to the individual to determine what they want to focus on in their personal development. The formula is simple. You have used it when you were in school and since you have been out of school. The key is recognizing what you have been doing all your life and now using it to develop yourself in a specific area. The formula is Learned Knowledge and Applied Knowledge equals Personal Development.

Learned Knowledge

Learned knowledge is information that you acquire through reading, listening and seeing. If you were learning how to cook, the first thing you would probably do is read a cookbook. Alternatively, watch a cooking show on TV or at a live presentation. At the minimum, you may just get a recipe. To gain a better knowledge base though one would read the cookbook to get the basics of cooking. You would learn the basic tools you would need (for example type of pots, pans, utensils, measuring aids to name a few) to cook. You would gain knowledge on proper cooking techniques such as preparing the food, heating a frying pan, when to add oil. Your learned knowledge of cooking would be gained by reading about how to cook.
This is no different from any other area you would like to develop within yourself. Whatever it is that you desire to learn, seek out the information on that subject. Once you have acquired basic learned knowledge on the subject, proceed to the next step...

Applied Knowledge

When you obtain learned knowledge, the next step is to apply it. Use the learned knowledge you have gained in that activity. You have learned the basic concepts of cooking now grab a recipe and begin cooking. Applied knowledge brings about the understanding of the learned knowledge you have gained. Learned knowledge is good but does nothing for you if you are not able to apply it. Learned knowledge gives you the theory. Applied knowledge gives you the practical understanding. Your learned knowledge is reinforced because you are doing it. More importantly, you are now developing yourself in an area that was unfamiliar to you. After you have completed the first recipe, you are now more engaged to read more and consequently apply what you have learned again. This cycle continues and before you know it, you have achieved a level of...

Personal Development

Developing yourself is a choice that you make. Whatever it is in your life that you want to change, add and/or remove, the formula of Personal Development will get you there. Once you start gaining learned knowledge and then applying it, you will not stop the cycle.

Learned Knowledge plus Applied Knowledge equals Personal Development.