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Personal Development: Seven Ways Busy Leaders Can Pursue Growth

Forbes Coaches Council
POST WRITTEN BY
Expert Panel, Forbes Coaches Council.

Leaders know that personal development is remarkably important, but it's not easy to get started—or stay on task. With so many different calls for attention—projects, meetings, decisions—people can end up overlooking the smaller moments: actions and habits that can significantly help people become more mindful, empathic and focused.

There are a number of techniques and approaches you can use to help you reflect and grow, even when your calendar looks a little overwhelming. Below, members of Forbes Coaches Council discuss some of the more effective ways busy professionals can engage in personal development, as well as touch on why those approaches are particularly valuable to the busy working professional. Here is what they advise:

Photos courtesy of the individual members.

1. Practice Mindfulness

Busy executives sometimes need to slow down and practice mindfulness. Taking a purposeful pause or a moment of mindfulness creates the space for concentration, for being in the present moment, before taking an action or speaking to another person. A simple pause, an extra breath, a look into the other person’s eyes, can each bring us into the present moment and enable us to act responsibly. - Paul Ward, Global Centre for Conscious Leadership

2. Identify Their Champagne Moment

For a business owner to successfully drive profit and happiness, they need to work their passion. This is achieved by identifying their champagne moment—that personal accomplishment that will only be possible (and meaningful to the individual) through success at their business. - Nick Leighton, NettResults LLC

Forbes Coaches Council is an invitation-only community for leading business and career coaches. Do I qualify?

3. Embrace Self-Reflection

Self-reflection is the No. 1 skill I recommend executives develop. Without the ability to self-reflect, a person is dependent on the perspectives and influence of others. High achieving people must trust their decisions, acknowledge their successes, and assess their failures to improve and mature. - Alexandra Rufatto-Perry, Practically Speaking, LLC

4. Listen To Inspirational Audio On Your Way To Work

This will make you feel energized and ready to own the day. Just like lifting weights in the gym makes you physically stronger, consider this technique a mental workout to build a more powerful mind. Stick with this one simple daily habit to build a winning edge in your personal and professional life. - Wasim Hajjiri, Wasim The Dream

5. Stay Aware Of Your Actions' Impact

Show up proactively versus reactively. Be mindful daily of how your actions—or lack of actions—affect others around you. Focus on what kind of leader you want to be and work on strategies to get closer to that. - Jennifer Peatman, Jennifer Peatman Coaching and Consulting

6. Practice Empathy

It is the best way of approaching mindfulness, which is the process of making busy executives aware of their now moment. Practicing empathy makes leaders aware. It makes them aware of the environment they operate within and the people who are in it. This awareness will help busy executives make the right decision when needed and where needed. Practice empathy, practice compassion and be a mindful executive. - Dr. Abraham Khoureis, The Enlightenment Institute

Read more in Three Ways To Enhance Your Empathy To Advance At Work

7. Reflect During The Start Of The Day

Start your day off in “airplane mode,” connecting with yourself and meditating, and fill your mind and spirit with inspiration. The most valuable thing we bring to our companies is our own energy, our inspiration and our presence. When that's off, everything is off. - Michael Zeller, Rising Stars Mastermind

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