How to set personal development goals for your life and work
Clinically reviewed by Dr. Chris Mosunic, PhD, RD, CDCES, MBA
Learn what personal development goals are, and their potential impact on your mental health. Plus, 10 examples of goals to set for yourself at home and at work.
Personal development is a continuous process that ultimately defines who you are. But how can you ensure that you’re growing in the right ways?
Setting personal development goals can help you drill down on what you’re hoping to achieve — and who you’re trying to be. Maybe you’re looking to find greater professional success or acquire new skills on the job. Or, perhaps you’re more focused on your personal life — your ability to grow emotional intelligence, improve your physical health, and build relationships.
No matter what you’re hoping to accomplish, committing to personal development goals can help you become a better version of yourself and improve your mental health and wellbeing.
What are personal development goals?
Personal development goals are the specific objectives you set to enhance various aspects of your life, both personal and professional. They’re the self-improvement milestones you aim to hit.
Like general goals, personal development goals can include targets around your personal life, self-awareness, and even your physical health. However, personal development goals also take into account your mental health and emotional wellbeing — essentially, how you want each milestone to impact your growth.
Impact on mental health
Setting and working toward personal development goals can lead to a more fulfilling life, greater self-esteem, stronger mental health, and an overall improved sense of wellbeing.
This is in part because when you set personal development goals, you're giving yourself a sense of control and purpose. Achieving your goals, or even just making a little bit of progress toward them, can boost your confidence and make you happier.
Mindfulness and goal-setting
Being mindful as you set personal development goals allows you to reflect on what’s really important to you. Rather than being swayed by external influences, you’ll be able to set goals that are aligned with your values and aspirations.
Setting goals with intention also leads to achievable results. Basically, you’re more likely to work toward a goal if it’s important to you and you know you can accomplish it.
The holistic approach
Your personal development goals can encompass a broad range of aspirations, from improving communication skills and building stronger relationships to taking the next step in your career and getting in better shape. Taking a holistic approach to goal-setting ensures that the goals you set contribute to your overall growth and wellbeing, not just one aspect of your life.
Thinking about the totality of who you are will also help you map out balanced and comprehensive personal development goals. You can take charge of who you’re becoming and what you’re doing to realize your full potential.
Personal development goals: 12 examples to help you become your best self
Mapping out goals that align with your values and dreams can be rewarding, but difficult. Here are some examples of personal development goals that might make it easier for you to set your own:
1. Nurture resilience
Life can be unfair. It’s important to develop the ability to cope with challenges and bounce back from setbacks. Stop ruminating on what didn’t go your way and aim to find stress management techniques that make you tougher and more flexible. This is true resilience.
2. Foster curiosity
It’s important to keep learning and exploring. To keep your mind sharp, consider reading more, picking up new hobbies, or digging into new ideas.
3. Enhance decision-making
We make countless choices every day but for many, decision-making is hard. By weighing options more carefully, seeking out diverse viewpoints, or simply being more decisive, you may find you’re more effective at work and at home.
4. Cultivate better self-care
It’s easy to neglect yourself, but self-care is critical for mental and physical health. Carve out time to do something that makes you feel at ease. This looks different for everyone, but it could be anything from taking a walk to calling a friend to meditating.
5. Tend to physical health
Improve your overall health and energy levels by setting goals around regular exercise. It’s okay to start small. Try going for a run, taking a yoga class, or even just going to bed a little earlier.
6. Build self-confidence
It’s important to believe in yourself. Trust in your abilities and build self-assurance by doing affirmations, taking on new challenges, and celebrating every victory, big and small.
7. Grow emotional intelligence
Increasing emotional intelligence can lead to more fulfilling personal relationships and deeper professional interactions. Improving your self-awareness and your sense of empathy will help you manage your own reactions.
8. Improve time management
Procrastination can be a difficult habit to kick, but learning to manage your time more effectively can make you more productive and less stressed. Set reasonable goals to keep yourself on track and use time management tools to help you avoid distractions.
9. Expand social connections
Invest in your relationships. Actively seeking to build new friendships and strengthen the ones you have can lead to a richer social life and make you a happier person.
10. Create a balanced relationship with technology
Too much screen time can be toxic. Setting boundaries around technology use can help you become more present in your life and reduce the potential for digital burnout.
11. Develop a mindset for growth
Having a growth mindset means that you embrace challenges, no matter how intimidating they may seem. Don’t let the risk of failure keep you from trying something new. Instead, look at setbacks as opportunities for learning and personal development.
12. Practice mindfulness and presence
Grounded people are often happy people. Establishing a regular mindfulness practice can lead to greater focus, reduced stress, and a deeper appreciation for the present moment.
Setting personal development goals for work
Personal development goals can have a significant impact on your overall job satisfaction and your career trajectory. Set these goals using the SMART framework to give yourself the best chance of success.
Simple: Set clear and straightforward goals.
Measurable: Know your criteria for measuring progress.
Achievable: Ensure your goals are realistic and attainable.
Relevant: Make sure your goals fit with your career aspirations and values.
Time-based: Set a reasonable timeline for achieving your goals.
10 examples of personal development goals for work
By setting personal development goals for work, you can enhance your professional capabilities and contribute to a productive work environment. And while getting a promotion or a raise is nice, always keep in mind that first and foremost, professional development goals are meant to help you grow as a person.
1. Create new social connections
Cultivate meaningful relationships within your organization and industry. A few ways to do this include joining professional groups, attending networking events, or simply making a more concerted effort to get to know your coworkers.
💙 Check out Meaningful Practice for Meaningful Friendship to learn all about navigating and supporting relationships with friends.
2. Improve work-life balance
Set clear boundaries between work and home. This looks different for everyone, but it could mean delegating tasks, practicing better time management, or being more assertive about protecting your off-work hours.
💙 Let this Shut Down Routine meditation help you intentionally shift from work to you free time.
3. Commit to learning
Identify areas for professional growth and seek opportunities to develop these skills. Consider enrolling in workshops or online courses, or finding a new mentor.
4. Build leadership skills
Be assertive in the workplace, whether it’s in a formal leadership role or by taking a more active role in projects. Focus on developing skills like delegation, communication, and team leadership.
💙 Discover how mindfulness can help you improve your leadership skills in work and life during the Mindful Leader Wisdom Series.
5. Practice good communication
Being an effective communicator is important, both at work and at home. Try to become a more active listener and learn how to explain yourself thoughtfully and clearly.
💙 Try Holding Space for the person you’re listening to. It’s one of the best ways to let them know you’re eager to be there for them.
6. Manage stress and anxiety at work
Work can be stressful. Develop strategies to manage anxiety, such as mindfulness or breathing techniques. Don’t forget to take regular breaks if you can, and find a supportive colleague or two to lean on.
💙 Taking time during your day to practice stress-relieving meditation practices like this Breathe into Relaxation session with Jay Shetty.
7. Develop a more resilient mind
Become more adaptable and maintain a positive attitude towards change and challenges. Rather than wallow when something doesn’t go your way, try to learn from setbacks and maintain a problem-solving mindset.
💙 Prepare for those tough moments in life with meditations from our Confidence Series.
8. Enhance professional expertise
Aim to deepen your knowledge in your field. You might add to your qualifications or certifications, participate in relevant forums and discussions, or just stay more on top of industry trends.
9. Improve collaboration skills
Focus on working effectively with others. Set goals around understanding different viewpoints and contributing constructively to team efforts, no matter who you’re working with.
💙 Cultivate happier and healthier connections with our Relationship with Other series led by Tamara Levitt.
10. Cultivate creativity and innovation
Encourage yourself to think outside the box and bring new ideas to the table. Be sure to set aside time to brainstorm and don’t be afraid to chat up team members with different perspectives.
💙 Tap into your creative potential with our Creative Living Beyond Fear masterclass led by author Elizabeth Gilbert.
Personal development goals FAQs
What is an example of a clear personal development goal?
A clear personal development goal is specific, measurable, and time-bound. For example, you might set a goal to improve public speaking skills by attending a workshop and delivering at least two presentations in the next three months. This goal is specific (improving public speaking skills), measurable (attending a workshop and delivering presentations), and has a clear timeline (three months).
What are 5 areas of a personal development plan?
A personal development plan can include several areas.
Emotional intelligence: Focusing on self-awareness, empathy, and managing emotions effectively.
Physical health: Goals related to exercise, diet, and overall wellness.
Career skills: Enhancing professional capabilities with goals to grow your technical skills, leadership, or communication.
Personal relationships: Improving interpersonal skills by setting goals to build meaningful connections and nurture existing relationships.
Stress management: Develop techniques to manage stress. Create goals for mindfulness, time management, or hobbies.
What should I write in my personal development plan?
When you write your personal development plan, including key elements can help you achieve success:
Specific goals: Define what you want to achieve, ensuring they’re clear and measurable.
Actionable steps: Outline the activities necessary to meet these goals.
Resources needed: Identify where you can find support, such as books, courses, or mentors.
Timeline: Set a realistic timeline for each goal.
Progress tracking: Decide how you’ll track and review your progress.
What are personal development goals for work leadership?
Personal development goals for work leadership focus on enhancing your skills in managing effectively. These personal development goals can help you grow as a leader, support your colleagues and team, and contribute positively to your organization. Personal development is always ongoing, so these goals will evolve as you progress in your career and personal life. A few evergreen goals may include:
Effective communication: Developing skills to convey ideas clearly and absorb feedback.
Team motivation and engagement: Learning how to inspire team members and be an effective leader.
Decision making: Improving your ability to make informed and timely choices.
Conflict resolution: Developing strategies to manage and resolve conflicts within a team.
Strategic thinking: Cultivating the ability to see the bigger picture and plan accordingly.
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