I have a friend who’s never read a personal development book in her life (except mine, and she went through that more out of loyalty to me than any deep driving desire to read it). But she gives 110% to everything she does. She works 70 hour weeks in a senior position in a world class company, treats people well, lives in a beautiful house, drives a smart car, works out regularly, dresses well, looks gorgeous, travels well, plays a sport and has an active social life with family and friends. While she has a few unfulfilled areas, these are things she’s come to peace with. In other words, she’s living the dream of most people in her generation.

On the other hand, I know dozens and dozens of people who are personal development junkies. They read dozens of books, attend seminars and satsangs, avidly read blog posts like this one, know the latest diet fads, blindly follow a fancy godman or two, watch Youtube videos ad nauseum, talk their head off on their latest fancy fulfillment trip and they are obsessed with their personal development. The only thing they dont take is focussed action. And they stay stagnant.

By now, you must have got the point. An ounce of action is better than a ton of theory. You want to grow ? Spend ten minutes, identify the top ten things you want to do and then just do it by routine-ising them as habits. Take corrective action basis your experience (for example, if gym-ming doesn’t work, try yoga, but work out five times a week !).

That’s it. You do it, you are good to go. KISS, Action speaks louder than words. Personal development as simple as that !

Also published on Medium.