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How to develop a personal development plan (PDP) to reach your goals

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What’s personal development?

6 types of personal development, what’s a personal development plan, how to create a personal development plan for work and life, bring your goals to life.

No matter where you find yourself in life, there’s always room for self-improvement. 

But whether you want to make more time for your family , learn how to advocate your boundaries at work , or pursue a master’s degree , reaching your goals is easier said than done. You might lose track of your progress or get too busy to continue the commitment.

Writing your goals down in a personal development plan (PDP) can transform big, impossible-sounding ideas into actionable changes in your daily life. 

Personal development is the process of looking inward and concentrating on ways to better yourself. It focuses on rebuilding habits and ways of thinking, like developing better problem-solving skills , practicing self-compassion , or fostering a growth mindset . 

But it’s far from simple. The techniques you use to connect with your inner self differ greatly from person to person, making the right path potentially harder to find. True development asks you to engage in honest self-reflection and strategic goal-setting at the same time — and sometimes, that’s a long process. 

That doesn’t mean personal development isn’t worth it. Striving for growth and continuous learning will push you out of your comfort zone , teaching you to be resilient and flexible to challenges . 

And the rewards are transformative. Embracing change will help you build self-awareness and push you closer to your personal and professional aspirations. The meaning of a PDP is to have something that tracks and supports your progress. 

Personal development is a never-ending process. You can always benefit from improving your know-how or adopting an entirely new skill. There’s infinite potential for personal development, and if that feels overwhelming, it’s okay. Start slow and small and let improvements build one on top of the other. 

To get started on a self-assessment of your potential objectives, here are six common categories of personal development goals:

1. Soft skills

Your unique personality makes some soft skills feel second nature. If you identify more as an introvert , your natural attention to your inner self may give you a deep sense of empathy or creativity . And if you feel more extroverted , you probably instinctively multitask or strike up conversations with new colleagues. 

According to a LinkedIn hiring trends analysis, your technical skills capture a hiring manager’s attention, but soft skills often determine whether they actually extend a job offer — so don’t overlook them. You might already have strong soft skills that come naturally to you, but that doesn’t mean you can’t learn others that push you out of your comfort zone. 

It isn’t just your professional life where these competencies come in handy. In your personal life, they shape friendships and nourish a sense of community and belonging . 

To identify areas for improvement, perform a skills assessment , reach out to colleagues or managers for constructive feedback , or start a daily journaling practice to identify behavioral patterns. Whether it’s fostering better decision-making or lowering your cognitive bias tops your list of goals, the soft skills you develop can make life easier and more fulfilling. 

2. Personal growth

Daily life is so full of tasks that you may not often stop to revel in the lessons you learn each day. Personal growth is about moving through your routines with intention, pushing to be a better version of yourself. 

Although personal growth is a lifelong journey, you can accomplish it through daily goal-setting. Try waking up early to have 30 minutes of peace, limiting social media usage , or setting boundaries to align daily life with your personal values . 

Personal growth requires a commitment to constant self-discovery . You change every day, and your personal goals for self-improvement should reflect that. Start by asking yourself self-discovery questions , reading books by self-growth experts you admire, or starting a manifestation journal to unlock your dreams.

3. Power to impact others

Personal power is more than your ability to wield influence — it’s about how you do it. Every day, you interact with people and impact them with your words, actions, and presence. Intentionality is the key to making your influence positive, uplifting and inspiring the people around you. 

To weave this power into your personal growth plan, reflect on the times others uplifted you and try to recreate them. Deepening your empathetic leadership , working on collaboration skills , and learning to treat others with respect are all ways to create nurturing environments and ensure that your impact leaves a positive legacy . 

4. Personal improvement

Personal improvement and personal growth may sound similar on paper, but each has a unique focus and objective. Growth focuses on a holistic exploration of inner fulfillment. But improvement often includes short-term goals that are easier to define, zeroing in on the specific skill sets that enhance your daily life. 

Learning negotiation skills , improving technical proficiency, or developing routines for financial wellness are all examples of personal improvement goals. These skills give you structure and know-how to work productively and remain resilient to challenges. And while it is distinct from personal growth, the skills you develop here will act as foundations that support broader development. 

5. Self-confidence

When you’re confident, you move through your day easily, stand up to challenges, and confidently share ideas. But unfortunately, not every day feels like this. Everyone has insecurities or worries that invite their inner critic to pop up and take over their positive mindset . 

While you may not be able to manifest a life free of insecurity or worry, you can take steps to improve overall self-confidence. Expanding your network, learning clear communication skills , and adopting a growth mindset can make you more resilient . That way, when challenges overwhelm you, you can step back and access tools to move forward confidently.

6. Personal analysis

It’s not always easy to see yourself from an outside perspective. But being objective and honest about your strengths and weaknesses is the key to self-improvement. After all, if you don’t know your starting place, it’s nearly impossible to build a path forward. 

This kind of self-analysis requires regular checking-in, which can be a long-term goal in itself. Consider reflective journaling, regularly requesting performance reviews , or taking a personality assessment like the Enneagram . However you analyze yourself, you’ll develop valuable insights about where you are and where you aspire to go. 

A PDP is a document that outlines individual development goals and breaks them down into achievable steps. It can be as simple as a bulleted list or as involved as a daily action plan . It’s up to you and how you prefer to grow, and it might take some trial and error to discover what works best.

Staring at the finish line can be overwhelming when you don’t know what your journey is. A PDP is a step-by-step action plan to transform big concepts into attainable short-term and long-term goals , motivating you as you move from one milestone to the next. 

Why is creating a personal development plan important? 

Now that you know what PDP stands for, you can put it into practice. But understanding its importance first can motivate you to create your own plan and put in the hard work to follow through with it. 

Here are some benefits of a PDP: 

• Provides a guide: Your personal and professional life is full of checklists. Between household chores, work responsibilities, and maintaining a social life , it’s easy to lose yourself in routines. Creating a clear PDP helps you keep your eye on your career goals and personal needs without neglecting your day-to-day. No matter how busy your day is, a coherent PDP ensures your goals are on your list of priorities.
• Adapts to your needs: Life isn’t predictable, and your PDP will reflect that. As you change and grow, or when something throws a wrench in your plan, you can always return to your PDP and readjust. This means it will always reflect your current aspirations, creating a relevant guide no matter where life takes you. 
• Fosters the power of time management: Learning better time management skills may be on your list of personal or professional development goals . But building an action plan is an incredible time management technique. PDPs depend on structure, helping you turn tasks into time-bound objectives and stay on schedule. This improves your focus and minimizes the time you spend on activities that don’t contribute to your goals. 

Makes big goals feel more attainable: Goals like changing careers, saving for a mortgage, or becoming a keynote speaker for your favorite industry seminar may feel so far away that they’re hard to begin. But whether five years away, 10 years , or more, a PDP breaks down big goals into manageable steps, with plenty of milestones to celebrate in between.

While your goals are unique to you, you can follow a general step-by-step guide to build an effective PDP. Here are seven steps toward creating a comprehensive and effective PDP: 

1. Set goals

The first step is always goal-setting. Take time to imagine what you want to achieve, charting out different goals you want to accomplish next week, next quarter, or by the end of the year. This is the hardest (and most important) step of building your PDP. If you overload yourself with too many goals or objectives you aren’t prepared to achieve, you might grow overwhelmed and give up before you can begin to make a dent. 

Start by reviewing the six types of personal development and reflect on what resonates with you most. To help you brainstorm, try hiring a personal coach or reaching out to your community. You may quickly build a long list of objectives, so aim to narrow them down. 

Splitting them into short-, mid-, and long-term goals might help you decide on a focus and evenly spread your energy between objectives.

Creating a daily skincare routine, adopting a new hobby , and pursuing a master’s degree at once evenly divides your resources and balances your progress. But trying to change careers, go back to school, and move into a management role might be too many steps to take at once. 

2. Prioritize your goals

Once you write your goals down, it’s time to break them into actionable steps using SMART goals . SMART stands for: 

• Specific: Effective goals are clear. Be sure to define the skill, knowledge, or experience you will develop. Rather than “improve time management skills,” plan to “adopt a new time management app, track times on common tasks, and delegate non-urgent tasks to other team members.”
• Measurable: Monitor progress along the way with targets or SMART KPIs to understand how you’re doing and adjust when necessary. Rather than “Improving self-care routine ,” you can plan to “Prioritize eight hours of healthy sleep, 150 minutes of weekly exercise, and one day dedicated to free-time activities.” Then you can check those off the list regularly and track the days you miss.
• Attainable: Being honest about your resources and time will help you separate unachievable goals from realistic ones. Consider everything you’ll need to accomplish every single milestone. If your goals aren’t realistic, you structure failure into your plan. 
• Relevant: Every step of your PDP needs to be relevant to your finish line. I f your professional goals include pursuing a project management certification, learning a new coding language will just distract you because it doesn’t contribute. Remember — you don’t have to accomplish everything at once. Choose what’s most relevant to your personal and professional goals and job role, and prioritize according to importance. 
• Time-bound: Setting deadlines holds you accountable. But meeting deadlines requires in-depth strategic planning , according to researcher Maroš Servátka in an interview with the Harvard Business Review . If you’re too generous with your time, you may consistently put deadlines off. Be careful to set realistic schedules with an appropriate amount of wiggle room. 

3. Conduct a SWOT analysis

A SWOT analysis identifies the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats that could affect your journey. While it can help you double-check that your SMART goals are accurate, you can also use it to consider the external factors that help or hinder your process. 

Poor time management skills might hinder your ability to balance a certification program, full-time work, and your home life. Identifying your need to get organized — which might be a weakness in your analysis  — can help you prioritize methods to build structure into your schedule. Also check for opportunities, like flexibility in your work schedule or stipends for schooling. 

4. Tap into your network

Personal development doesn’t happen in a bubble. Your network of friends, mentors, and loved ones is one of your most valuable assets, whether providing emotional support or insightful advice.

Let people know about your goals and share your plan to get there, encouraging them to hold you accountable, or find an accountability buddy. It’s also a good idea to let them know when to hold off and let you make your own mistakes.

5. Measure your progress

Find a tracking system that makes the most sense for you and your goals. For professional growth, this may include a new productivity app that tracks and visualizes your progress.

For smaller personal goals, like improving your sleep hygiene or exercise regime , regular journaling or to-do lists can be just as effective. Whatever method you choose, celebrate your wins and readjust when challenges get in the way.

Self-improvement doesn’t have to be overwhelming. With careful thought and strategy, your goals can turn into meaningful action. Start by analyzing your future aspirations, resources, and opportunities. From there, build your personal development plan with milestones to motivate and move you toward continued success.

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Elizabeth Perry, ACC

Elizabeth Perry is a Coach Community Manager at BetterUp. She uses strategic engagement strategies to cultivate a learning community across a global network of Coaches through in-person and virtual experiences, technology-enabled platforms, and strategic coaching industry partnerships. With over 3 years of coaching experience and a certification in transformative leadership and life coaching from Sofia University, Elizabeth leverages transpersonal psychology expertise to help coaches and clients gain awareness of their behavioral and thought patterns, discover their purpose and passions, and elevate their potential. She is a lifelong student of psychology, personal growth, and human potential as well as an ICF-certified ACC transpersonal life and leadership Coach.

Are you reaching your full potential? A guide to personal development

The only guide you'll need to create effective cascading goals, developing emotional intelligence skills for lasting success, activities for personality development: 15 ways to grow, your guide to individual development plans (with examples), more than money: when it comes to goals, can thinking like a millionaire help, what is personal power develop your power and own your life, 10+ interpersonal skills at work and ways to develop them, how to write a professional development plan for career success, using the kaizen method for personal growth and success, personal goals that work: 20 examples to get started, moving toward your dreams or just moving yearly goals can help, the 3 year plan: build a roadmap to success, emotional goals: 20 examples and how to reach them, how lifestyle coaching can change your life, use a personal swot analysis to discover your strengths and weaknesses, 15 career goals examples to inspire you to set your own, stay connected with betterup, get our newsletter, event invites, plus product insights and research..

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How to Create a Personal Development Plan: 3 Examples

For successful change, it is vital that the client remains engaged, recognizing and identifying with the goals captured inside and outside sessions. A personal development plan (PDP) creates a focus for development while offering a guide for life and future success (Starr, 2021).

This article introduces and explores the value of personal development plans, offering tools, worksheets, and approaches to boost self-reflection and self-improvement.

Before you continue, we thought you might like to download our three Goal Achievement Exercises for free . These detailed, science-based exercises will help you or your clients create actionable goals and master techniques to create lasting behavior change.

This Article Contains

What is personal development 7 theories, coaching in personal development and growth, how to create a personal development plan, 3 examples of personal development plans, defining goals and objectives: 10 tips and tools, fostering personal development skills, 3 inspiring books to read on the topic, resources from positivepsychology.com, a take-home message, frequently asked questions.

Personal development is a fundamental concept in psychology and encompasses the lifelong process of self-improvement, self-awareness, and personal growth. Crucial to coaching and counseling, it aims to enhance various aspects of clients’ lives, including their emotional wellbeing, relationships, careers, and overall happiness (Cox, 2018; Starr, 2021).

Several psychological models underpin and support transformation. Together, they help us understand personal development in our clients and the mechanisms and approaches available to make positive life changes (Cox, 2018; Passmore, 2021).

The following psychological theories and frameworks underpin and influence the approach a mental health professional adopts.

1. Maslow’s hierarchy of needs

As a proponent of the humanistic or person-centered approach to helping people, Abraham Maslow (1970) suggested that individuals have a hierarchy of needs. Simply put, they begin with basic physiological and safety needs and progress through psychological and self-fulfillment needs.

Personal development is often found in or recognized by the pursuit of higher-level needs, such as self-esteem and self-actualization (Cox, 2018).

2. Erikson’s psychosocial development

Erik Erikson (1963) mapped out a series of eight psychosocial development stages that individuals go through across their lifespan.

Each one involves challenges and crises that once successfully navigated, contribute to personal growth and identity development.

3. Piaget’s cognitive development

The biologist and epistemologist Jean Piaget (1959) focused on cognitive development in children and how they construct their understanding of the world.

We can draw on insights from Piaget’s stages of cognitive development, including intellectual growth and adaptability, to inform our own and others’ personal development (Illeris, 2018).

4. Bandura’s social cognitive theory

Albert Bandura’s (1977) theory highlights the role of social learning and self-efficacy in personal development. It emphasizes that individuals can learn and grow through observation, imitation, and belief in their ability to effect change.

5. Self-determination theory

Ryan and Deci’s (2018) motivational self-determination theory recognizes the importance of autonomy, competence, and relatedness in personal development.

Their approach suggests that individuals are more likely to experience growth and wellbeing when such basic psychological needs are met.

6. Positive psychology

Positive psychology, developed by Martin Seligman (2011) and others, focuses on strengths, wellbeing, and the pursuit of happiness.

Seligman’s PERMA model offers a framework for personal development that emphasizes identifying and using our strengths while cultivating positive emotions and experiences (Lomas et al., 2014).

7. Cognitive-Behavioral Theory (CBT)

Developed by Aaron Beck (Beck & Haigh, 2014) and Albert Ellis (2000), CBT explores the relationship between thoughts, emotions, and behavior.

As such, the theory provides practical techniques for personal development, helping individuals identify and challenge negative thought patterns and behaviors (Beck, 2011).

Theories like the seven mentioned above offer valuable insights into many of the psychological processes underlying personal development. They provide a sound foundation for coaches and counselors to support their clients and help them better understand themselves, their motivations, and the paths they can take to foster positive change in their lives (Cox, 2018).

The client–coach relationship is significant to successful growth and goal achievement.

Typically, the coach will focus on the following (Cox, 2018):

• Actualizing tendency This supports a “universal human motivation resulting in growth, development and autonomy of the individual” (Cox, 2018, p. 53).
• Building a relationship facilitating change Trust clients to find their own way while displaying empathy, congruence, and unconditional positive regard . The coach’s “outward responses consistently match their inner feelings towards a client,” and they display a warm acceptance that they are being how they need to be (Passmore, 2021, p. 162).
• Adopting a positive psychological stance Recognize that the client has the potential and wish to become fully functioning (Cox, 2018).

Effective coaching for personal growth involves adopting and committing to a series of beliefs that remind the coach that the “coachee is responsible for the results they create” (Starr, 2021, p. 18) and help them recognize when they may be avoiding this idea.

The following principles are, therefore, helpful for coaching personal development and growth (Starr, 2021).

• Stay committed to supporting the client. While initially strong, you may experience factors that reduce your sense of support for the individual’s challenges.
• Coach nonjudgmentally. Our job is not to adopt a stance based on personal beliefs or judgment of others, but to help our clients form connections between behavior and results.
• Maintain integrity, openness, and trust. The client must feel safe in your company and freely able to express themselves.
• Responsibility does not equal blame. Clients who take on blame rather than responsibility will likely feel worse about something without acknowledging their influence on the situation.
• The client can achieve better results. The client is always capable of doing and achieving more, especially in relation to their goals.
• Focus on clients’ thoughts and experiences. Collaborative coaching is about supporting the growth and development of the client, getting them to where they want to go.
• Clients can arrive at perfect solutions. “As a coach, you win when someone else does” (Starr, 2021, p. 34). The solution needs to be the client’s, not yours.
• Coach as an equal partnership. Explore the way forward together collaboratively rather than from a parental or advisory perspective.

Creating a supportive and nonjudgmental environment helps clients explore their thoughts, feelings, and goals, creating an environment for personal development and flourishing (Passmore, 2021).

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A personal development plan is a powerful document “to create mutual clarity of the aims and focus of a coaching assignment” (Starr, 2021, p. 291). While it is valuable during coaching, it can also capture a client’s way forward once sessions have ended.

Crucially, it should have the following characteristics (Starr, 2021):

• Short and succinct
• Providing a quick reference or point of discussion
• Current and fresh, regularly revised and updated

Key elements of a personal development plan include the following (Starr, 2021):

• Area of development This is the general skill or competence to be worked on.
• Development objectives or goals What does the client want to do? Examples might include reducing stress levels, improving diet, or managing work–life balance .
• Behaviors to develop These comprise what the client will probably do more of when meeting their objectives, for example, practicing better coping mechanisms, eating more healthily, and better managing their day.
• Actions to create progress What must the client do to action their objectives? For example, arrange a date to meet with their manager, sign up for a fitness class, or meet with a nutritionist.
• Date to complete or review the objective Capture the dates for completing actions, meeting objectives, and checking progress.

Check out Lindsey Cooper’s excellent video for helpful guidance on action planning within personal development.

We can write and complete personal development plans in many ways. Ultimately, they should meet the needs of the client and leave them with a sense of connection to and ownership of their journey ahead (Starr, 2021).

• Personal Development Plan – Areas of Development In this PDP , we draw on guidance from Starr (2021) to capture development opportunities and the behaviors and actions needed to achieve them.
• Personal Development Plan – Opportunities for Development This template combines short- and long-term goal setting with a self-assessment of strengths, weaknesses, and development opportunities.
• Personal Development Plan – Ideal Self In this PDP template , we focus on our vision of how our ideal self looks and setting goals to get there.

World’s Largest Positive Psychology Resource

The Positive Psychology Toolkit© is a groundbreaking practitioner resource containing over 500 science-based exercises , activities, interventions, questionnaires, and assessments created by experts using the latest positive psychology research.

Updated monthly. 100% Science-based.

“The best positive psychology resource out there!” — Emiliya Zhivotovskaya , Flourishing Center CEO

“The setting of a goal becomes the catalyst that drives the remainder of the coaching conversation.”

Passmore, 2021, p. 80

Defining goals and objectives is crucial to many coaching conversations and is usually seen as essential for personal development.

Check out this video on how you can design your life with your personal goals in mind.

The following coaching templates are helpful, containing a series of questions to complete Whitmore’s (2009) GROW model :

• G stands for Goal : Where do you want to be?
• R stands for Reality : Where are you right now with this goal?
• O stands for Options : What are some options for reaching your goal?
• W stands for Way forward : What is your first step forward?

Goal setting creates both direction and motivation for clients to work toward achieving something and meeting their objectives (Passmore, 2021).

The SMART goal-setting framework is another popular tool inside coaching and elsewhere.

S = Specific M = Measurable A = Attainable/ or Agreed upon R = Realistic T = Timely – allowing enough time for achievement

The SMART+ Goals Worksheet contains a series of prompts and spaces for answers to define goals and capture the steps toward achieving them.

We can summarize the five principles of goal setting (Passmore, 2021) as follows:

• Goals must be clear and not open to interpretation.
• Goals should be stretching yet achievable.
• Clients must buy in to the goal from the outset.
• Feedback is essential to keep the client on track.
• Goals should be relatively straightforward. We can break down complex ones into manageable subgoals.

The following insightful articles are also helpful for setting and working toward goals.

• What Is Goal Setting and How to Do it Well
• The Science & Psychology of Goal-Setting 101

1. People skills

Improving how we work with others benefits confidence, and with other’s support, we are more likely to achieve our objectives and goals. The following people skills can all be improved upon:

• Developing rapport
• Assertiveness and negotiation
• Giving and receiving constructive criticism

2. Managing tasks and problem-solving

Inevitably, we encounter challenges on our path to development and growth. Managing our activities and time and solving issues as they surface are paramount.

Here are a few guidelines to help you manage:

• Organize time and tasks effectively.
• Learn fundamental problem-solving strategies.
• Select and apply problem-solving strategies to tackle more complex tasks and challenges.
• Develop planning skills, including identifying priorities, setting achievable targets, and finding practical solutions.
• Acquire skills relevant to project management.
• Familiarize yourself with concepts such as performance indicators and benchmarking.
• Conduct self-audits to assess and enhance your personal competitiveness.

3. Cultivate confidence in your creative abilities

Confidence energizes our performance. Knowing we can perform creatively encourages us to develop novel solutions and be motivated to transform.

Consider the following:

• Understand the fundamentals of how the mind works to enhance your thinking skills.
• Explore a variety of activities to sharpen your creative thinking.
• Embrace the belief that creativity is not limited to artists and performers but is crucial for problem-solving and task completion.
• Learn to ignite the spark of creativity that helps generate innovative ideas when needed.
• Apply creative thinking techniques to enhance your problem-solving and task completion abilities.
• Recognize the role of creative thinking in finding the right ideas at the right time.

To aid you in building your confidence, we have a whole category of articles focused on Optimism and Mindset . Be sure to browse it for confidence-building inspiration.

With new techniques and technology, our understanding of the human brain continues to evolve. Identifying the vital elements involved in learning and connecting with others offers deep insights into how we function and develop as social beings. We handpicked a small but unique selection of books we believe you will enjoy.

1. The Coaching Manual: The Definitive Guide to the Process, Principles and Skills of Personal Coaching – Julie Starr

This insightful book explores and explains the coaching journey from start to finish.

Starr’s book offers a range of free resources and gives clear guidance to support new and existing coaches in providing practical help to their clients.

Find the book on Amazon .

2. The Big Leap: Conquer Your Hidden Fear and Take Life to the Next Level – Gay Hendricks

Delving into the “zone of genius” and the “zone of excellence,” Hendricks examines personal growth and our path to personal success.

This valuable book explores how we eliminate the barriers to reaching our goals that arise from false beliefs and fears.

3. The Gifts of Imperfection: Let Go of Who You Think You’re Supposed to Be and Embrace Who You Are – Brené Brown

Brown, a leading expert on shame, vulnerability, and authenticity, examines how we can engage with the world from a place of worthiness.

Use this book to learn how to build courage and compassion and realize the behaviors, skills, and mindset that lead to personal development.

We have many resources available for fostering personal development and supporting client transformation and growth.

Our free resources include:

• Goal Planning and Achievement Tracker This is a valuable worksheet for capturing and reflecting on weekly goals while tracking emotions that surface.
• Adopt a Growth Mindset Successful change is often accompanied by replacing a fixed mindset with a growth one .
• FIRST Framework Questions Understanding a client’s developmental stage can help offer the most appropriate support for a career change.

More extensive versions of the following tools are available with a subscription to the Positive Psychology Toolkit© , but they are described briefly below:

• Backward Goal Planning

Setting goals can build confidence and the skills for ongoing personal development.

Backward goal planning helps focus on the end goal, prevent procrastination, and decrease stress by ensuring we have enough time to complete each task.

Try out the following four simple steps:

• Step one – Identify and visualize your end goal.
• Step two – Reflect on and capture the steps required to reach the goal.
• Step three – Focus on each step one by one.
• Step four – Take action and record progress.
• Boosting Motivation by Celebrating Micro Successes

Celebrating the small successes on our journey toward our goals is motivating and confidence building.

Practice the following:

• Step one – Reflect momentarily on the goal you are working toward.
• Step two – Consider each action being taken to reach that goal.
• Step three – Record the completion of each action as a success.
• Step four – Choose how to celebrate each success.

If you’re looking for more science-based ways to help others reach their goals, check out this collection of 17 validated motivation & goal achievement tools for practitioners. Use them to help others turn their dreams into reality by applying the latest science-based behavioral change techniques.

17 Tools To Increase Motivation and Goal Achievement

These 17 Motivation & Goal Achievement Exercises [PDF] contain all you need to help others set meaningful goals, increase self-drive, and experience greater accomplishment and life satisfaction.

Created by Experts. 100% Science-based.

Personal development has a rich and long history. It is underpinned by various psychological theories and remains a vital aspect of creating fulfilling lives inside and outside coaching and counseling.

For many of us, self-improvement, self-awareness, and personal growth are vital aspects of who we are. Coaching can provide a vehicle to help clients along their journey, supporting their sense of autonomy and confidence and highlighting their potential (Cox, 2018).

Working with clients, therefore, requires an open, honest, and supportive relationship. The coach or counselor must believe the client can achieve better results and view them nonjudgmentally as equal partners.

Personal development plans become essential to that relationship and the overall coaching process. They capture areas for development, skills and behaviors required, and goals and objectives to work toward.

Use this article to recognize theoretical elements from psychology that underpin the process and use the skills, guidance, and worksheets to support personal development in clients, helping them remove obstacles along the way.

Ultimately, personal development is a lifelong process that boosts wellbeing and flourishing and creates a richer, more engaging environment for the individual and those around them.

We hope you enjoyed reading this article. Don’t forget to download our three Goal Achievement Exercises for free .

Personal development is vital, as it enables individuals to enhance various aspects of their lives, including emotional wellbeing, relationships, careers, and overall happiness.

It promotes self-awareness, self-improvement, and personal growth, helping individuals reach their full potential and lead fulfilling lives (Passmore, 2021; Starr, 2021).

Personal development is the journey we take to improve ourselves through conscious habits and activities and focusing on the goals that are important to us.

Personal development goals are specific objectives individuals set to improve themselves and their lives. Goals can encompass various areas, such as emotional intelligence, skill development, health, and career advancement, providing direction and motivation for personal growth (Cox, 2018; Starr, 2021).

A personal development plan typically comprises defining the area of development, setting development objectives, identifying behaviors to develop, planning actions for progress, and establishing completion dates. These five stages help individuals clarify their goals and track their progress (Starr, 2021).

• Bandura, A. (1977). Social learning theory . Prentice-Hall.
• Beck, A. T., & Haigh, E. P. (2014). Advances in cognitive therapy and therapy: The generic cognitive model. Annual Review of Clinical Psychology , 10 , 1–24.
• Beck, J. S. (2011). Cognitive behavior therapy: Basics and beyond . Guilford Press.
• Cottrell, S. (2015). Skills for success: Personal development and employability . Bloomsbury Academic.
• Cox, E. (2018). The complete handbook of coaching . SAGE.
• Ellis, A. (2000). Can rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) be effectively used with people who have devout beliefs in God and religion? Professional Psychology-Research and Practice , 31 (1), 29–33.
• Erikson, E. H. (1963). Youth: Change and challenge . Basic Books.
• Illeris, K. (2018). An overview of the history of learning theory. European Journal of Education , 53 (1), 86–101.
• Lomas, T., Hefferon, K., & Ivtzan, I. (2014). Applied positive psychology: Integrated positive practice . SAGE.
• Maslow, A. H. (1970). Motivation and personalit y (2nd ed.). Harper & Row.
• Passmore, J. (Ed.). (2021). The coaches’ handbook: The complete practitioner guide for professional coaches . Routledge.
• Piaget, J. (1959): The Psychology of intelligence . Routledge.
• Rose, C. (2018). The personal development group: The students’ guide . Routledge.
• Ryan, R. M., & Deci, E. L. (2018). Self-determination theory: Basic psychological needs in motivation, development, and wellness . Guilford Press.
• Seligman, M. E. (2011). Authentic happiness using the new positive psychology to realize your potential for lasting fulfillment . Nicholas Brealey.
• Starr, J. (2021). The coaching manual: The definitive guide to the process, principles and skills of personal coaching . Harlow: Pearson Education.
• Whitmore, J. (2009). Coaching for performance . Nicholas Brealey.

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Personal Development: 9 Skills, Tips, and Examples

Why personal development is so important and how to improve yourself..

Posted June 7, 2020 | Reviewed by Gary Drevitch

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I am obsessed with personal development because it's helped me completely change my life. Only 10 years ago, I had no connections, no money, and worked a minimum wage retail job. Now, I have a Ph.D. from Berkeley, am the author of a book on how to generate happiness in the technology age , and have created a variety of well-being-boosting programs . And it's all because I worked on developing myself. So how do you make personal development work for you?

Personal development can include any skill that you build to improve yourself—your emotions, thoughts, or behaviors. It doesn't really matter which skills you want to improve; the key to personal development is taking the right steps—steps that help ensure that you reach whatever goal you are pursuing.

Learn more from the video below:

What are the most important personal development skills? It really depends on what you're trying to achieve. But here are 9 that I have found to be important to successful personal development.

1. Start by figuring out which personal development skills you need to build. The first step in any personal development strategy is to figure out how to best use your time. It makes little sense to learn how to code if you don't plan to be a coder or to bench press 400 pounds if you don't plan to be a weight lifter. These can be hobbies, but personal development is more about building skills to reach your personal goals . So it's good to take some time to self-reflect. (If well-being is a goal of yours, take this well-being quiz to see which skills you need to build.)

2. Develop entrepreneurial thinking. Everyone can benefit from learning how to think like an entrepreneur, regardless of whether or not you are one. Why? Because entrepreneurs are innovative, good at planning for all possible outcomes, and skilled at getting others to buy into their vision or dream. And perhaps more importantly for personal development, they tend to be adaptable to all sorts of situations.

By developing entrepreneurial thinking, you better adapt to whatever your circumstances are so you can more easily achieve your goals, whether those goals are to start a business that makes a positive impact in the world , to set yourself up for an early retirement , or climb Mount Everest.

3. Develop a growth mindset . If we have a “fixed mindset,” we may shy away from challenges that could help us grow. But this can be problematic because our fear of making mistakes can lead us to avoid challenges and new experiences—experiences which would help us grow, improve ourselves in important ways, and create the life we desire.

If we have a “ growth mindset ” we seek out challenges because we value learning and growth more than we value feeling smart or knowing what we’re doing. That's why those with a growth mindset often build new skills more easily: They believe they can and so they really work at it.

4. Develop your self-soothing mechanism. High levels of stress are not only bad for our health and well-being, they can prevent us from effectively pursuing and achieving our self-development goals. By learning effective, long-lasting relaxation techniques , your body and mind will be more equipped to handle the inevitable challenges that arise when you're trying to develop yourself.

5. Develop resilience . Resilience is that super-important skill that helps you bounce back quickly after being knocked down. This is one of the most important skills for success because none of us will achieve anything if we don't keep trying when we fail. We can build resilience by improving skills like emotion-regulation , mindfulness , and positivity.

6. Develop your value compass. It's not always easy to live by our core values . But when we go through life without following our personal values, we can easily get lost. We may suddenly "wake up" and realize that we are not who we want to be or where we want to be. This is why it's so important to stay in alignment with our personal values.

What are your values? Perhaps: kindness, curiosity, creativity , hard work, or personal relationships. Define your personal values so you know which actions are in alignment with those values.

7. Create a personal development plan. A good personal development plan takes all these factors into consideration—the WHAT, the HOW, the WHY, and the WHEN. And it focuses on long-term goals . So ask yourself:

• What skills will you build?
• How will you build them?
• Why will you build them?
• And when will you build them?

It can be helpful to create a 10-year plan to map out how you'll reach these goals.

8. Record your progress towards personal development. Keeping track of our progress as we move toward our personal development goals is key to making sure we're on the right track. Then we can pause and take a different direction if we've gone off course. By maintaining self-awareness and frequently checking in with ourselves, we can identify things that we need to devote more attention to. As a result, we can make better progress toward our personal development.

9. Keep developing yourself in new ways. The science is clear: The more ways we develop ourselves, the broader our skillset, and the more success we tend to have. So try learning some new emotional skills or do some activities to build new skills. You just might learn something that changes your life.

Facebook /LinkedIn images: GaudiLab/Shutterstock

Tchiki Davis, Ph.D. , is a consultant, writer, and expert on well-being technology.

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Seven Pillars Of Personal Development: A Comprehensive Guide

Personal development is an ongoing journey that encompasses improving self-awareness, developing talents, enhancing the quality of life, and realizing dreams and aspirations.

The “Seven Pillars of Personal Development” are central to this journey, which offers a foundational framework to guide individuals toward achieving long-term success and personal growth.

This article delves into each pillar, thoroughly exploring their significance, practical applications, and strategies for enhancing personal development.

I. Understanding Pillars of Personal Development

Knowing yourself.

The journey to personal development begins with self-awareness. Grasping your weaknesses, strengths, beliefs, and values is critical.

This introspection guides your actions and emotions, helping you make decisions that align with your true self.

Setting Specific and Achievable Goals

Goals give direction and purpose. Setting specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART) goals ensures you have clear targets to aim for, providing motivation and a sense of accomplishment as you progress.

Nurturing the Mind

A positive mindset and continuous learning are the bedrock of personal growth. Developing a growth mindset, characterized by the belief that abilities can be acquired through dedication and hard work, is essential for overcoming challenges.

Strengthening the Body

Physical well-being supports mental health and cognitive function. Regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and adequate sleep are foundational practices that enhance physical and psychological resilience.

Fostering Meaningful Relationships

Relationships are a source of support, inspiration, and growth. Building meaningful connections with others enriches personal development by providing different perspectives and emotional support.

Embracing Failures

Failure is an inevitable part of growth. Learning from mistakes and viewing failures as opportunities for growth are vital for developing resilience and perseverance.

Celebrating Wins

Recognizing and celebrating achievements boosts confidence and motivation. Acknowledging even small victories reinforces positive behaviors and encourages continued effort toward personal goals.

II. Applying the Seven Pillars in Daily Life

Applying the seven pillars requires a holistic approach, integrating each pillar into daily routines through practical strategies:

III. Enhancing Personal Development

Improving adaptability.

Adaptability is key to navigating life’s changes and challenges. Enhancing adaptability includes embracing change, developing a growth mindset, and proactively seeking new experiences.

Developing Creativity

Creativity fuels innovation and problem-solving. Strategies to foster creativity include creating an inspiring environment, exploring new hobbies, and practicing brainstorming techniques.

Effective Problem-Solving

Problem-solving skills are critical for personal and professional development. Techniques such as brainstorming, root cause analysis, and seeking diverse perspectives enhance problem-solving abilities.

Setting and Prioritizing Goals

Prioritizing goals ensures that efforts are focused on the most impactful activities. Tools like the Eisenhower Matrix help categorize tasks based on urgency and importance, facilitating effective time management.

Tracking and Adjusting Goals

Regularly reviewing goals and progress is essential for sustained growth. Techniques for tracking include maintaining a progress journal, setting check-in reminders, and adjusting goals as circumstances change.

IV. Measuring Progress and Celebrating Success

Measuring progress in personal development is crucial for maintaining motivation and ensuring alignment with long-term objectives. Common metrics include:

Celebrating small wins is vital for sustaining motivation throughout the personal development journey.

Strategies for celebration include sharing achievements with friends and family, treating oneself to special experiences, and taking time to reflect on and savor success.

The 7 pillars of personal development provide a comprehensive framework for individuals seeking to enhance their lives and achieve their full potential.

By understanding and applying these pillars, individuals can create a balanced approach to personal growth that encompasses mental, physical, and emotional well-being.

Regularly measuring progress and celebrating achievements are essential practices that reinforce this ongoing journey.

Through dedication and persistence, the principles outlined in this guide can lead to meaningful and lasting personal development.

• https://leaders.com/articles/personal-growth/personal-development-goals/
• https://hive.com/blog/personal-development-goals/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_development/
• https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/improve-your-personal-development-skills/
• https://www.hays.nl/en/career-coach/personal-development/
• https://www.success.com/what-is-personal-development/

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Overview of the Problem-Solving Mental Process

• Identify the Problem
• Define the Problem
• Form a Strategy
• Organize Information
• Allocate Resources
• Monitor Progress
• Evaluate the Results

Frequently Asked Questions

Problem-solving is a mental process that involves discovering, analyzing, and solving problems. The ultimate goal of problem-solving is to overcome obstacles and find a solution that best resolves the issue.

The best strategy for solving a problem depends largely on the unique situation. In some cases, people are better off learning everything they can about the issue and then using factual knowledge to come up with a solution. In other instances, creativity and insight are the best options.

It is not necessary to follow problem-solving steps sequentially, It is common to skip steps or even go back through steps multiple times until the desired solution is reached.

In order to correctly solve a problem, it is often important to follow a series of steps. Researchers sometimes refer to this as the problem-solving cycle. While this cycle is portrayed sequentially, people rarely follow a rigid series of steps to find a solution.

The following steps include developing strategies and organizing knowledge.

1. Identifying the Problem

While it may seem like an obvious step, identifying the problem is not always as simple as it sounds. In some cases, people might mistakenly identify the wrong source of a problem, which will make attempts to solve it inefficient or even useless.

Some strategies that you might use to figure out the source of a problem include :

• Asking questions about the problem
• Breaking the problem down into smaller pieces
• Looking at the problem from different perspectives
• Conducting research to figure out what relationships exist between different variables

2. Defining the Problem

After the problem has been identified, it is important to fully define the problem so that it can be solved. You can define a problem by operationally defining each aspect of the problem and setting goals for what aspects of the problem you will address

At this point, you should focus on figuring out which aspects of the problems are facts and which are opinions. State the problem clearly and identify the scope of the solution.

3. Forming a Strategy

After the problem has been identified, it is time to start brainstorming potential solutions. This step usually involves generating as many ideas as possible without judging their quality. Once several possibilities have been generated, they can be evaluated and narrowed down.

The next step is to develop a strategy to solve the problem. The approach used will vary depending upon the situation and the individual's unique preferences. Common problem-solving strategies include heuristics and algorithms.

• Heuristics are mental shortcuts that are often based on solutions that have worked in the past. They can work well if the problem is similar to something you have encountered before and are often the best choice if you need a fast solution.
• Algorithms are step-by-step strategies that are guaranteed to produce a correct result. While this approach is great for accuracy, it can also consume time and resources.

Heuristics are often best used when time is of the essence, while algorithms are a better choice when a decision needs to be as accurate as possible.

4. Organizing Information

Before coming up with a solution, you need to first organize the available information. What do you know about the problem? What do you not know? The more information that is available the better prepared you will be to come up with an accurate solution.

When approaching a problem, it is important to make sure that you have all the data you need. Making a decision without adequate information can lead to biased or inaccurate results.

5. Allocating Resources

Of course, we don't always have unlimited money, time, and other resources to solve a problem. Before you begin to solve a problem, you need to determine how high priority it is.

If it is an important problem, it is probably worth allocating more resources to solving it. If, however, it is a fairly unimportant problem, then you do not want to spend too much of your available resources on coming up with a solution.

At this stage, it is important to consider all of the factors that might affect the problem at hand. This includes looking at the available resources, deadlines that need to be met, and any possible risks involved in each solution. After careful evaluation, a decision can be made about which solution to pursue.

6. Monitoring Progress

After selecting a problem-solving strategy, it is time to put the plan into action and see if it works. This step might involve trying out different solutions to see which one is the most effective.

It is also important to monitor the situation after implementing a solution to ensure that the problem has been solved and that no new problems have arisen as a result of the proposed solution.

Effective problem-solvers tend to monitor their progress as they work towards a solution. If they are not making good progress toward reaching their goal, they will reevaluate their approach or look for new strategies .

7. Evaluating the Results

After a solution has been reached, it is important to evaluate the results to determine if it is the best possible solution to the problem. This evaluation might be immediate, such as checking the results of a math problem to ensure the answer is correct, or it can be delayed, such as evaluating the success of a therapy program after several months of treatment.

Once a problem has been solved, it is important to take some time to reflect on the process that was used and evaluate the results. This will help you to improve your problem-solving skills and become more efficient at solving future problems.

A Word From Verywell​

It is important to remember that there are many different problem-solving processes with different steps, and this is just one example. Problem-solving in real-world situations requires a great deal of resourcefulness, flexibility, resilience, and continuous interaction with the environment.

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You can become a better problem solving by:

• Practicing brainstorming and coming up with multiple potential solutions to problems
• Being open-minded and considering all possible options before making a decision
• Breaking down problems into smaller, more manageable pieces
• Asking for help when needed
• Researching different problem-solving techniques and trying out new ones
• Learning from mistakes and using them as opportunities to grow

It's important to communicate openly and honestly with your partner about what's going on. Try to see things from their perspective as well as your own. Work together to find a resolution that works for both of you. Be willing to compromise and accept that there may not be a perfect solution.

Take breaks if things are getting too heated, and come back to the problem when you feel calm and collected. Don't try to fix every problem on your own—consider asking a therapist or counselor for help and insight.

If you've tried everything and there doesn't seem to be a way to fix the problem, you may have to learn to accept it. This can be difficult, but try to focus on the positive aspects of your life and remember that every situation is temporary. Don't dwell on what's going wrong—instead, think about what's going right. Find support by talking to friends or family. Seek professional help if you're having trouble coping.

Davidson JE, Sternberg RJ, editors.  The Psychology of Problem Solving .  Cambridge University Press; 2003. doi:10.1017/CBO9780511615771

Sarathy V. Real world problem-solving .  Front Hum Neurosci . 2018;12:261. Published 2018 Jun 26. doi:10.3389/fnhum.2018.00261

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

How to improve your problem solving skills and build effective problem solving strategies

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Effective problem solving is all about using the right process and following a plan tailored to the issue at hand. Recognizing your team or organization has an issue isn’t enough to come up with effective problem solving strategies. 

To truly understand a problem and develop appropriate solutions, you will want to follow a solid process, follow the necessary problem solving steps, and bring all of your problem solving skills to the table.   We’ll forst look at what problem solving strategies you can employ with your team when looking for a way to approach the process. We’ll then discuss the problem solving skills you need to be more effective at solving problems, complete with an activity from the SessionLab library you can use to develop that skill in your team.

Let’s get to it! 

Problem solving strategies

What skills do i need to be an effective problem solver, how can i improve my problem solving skills.

Problem solving strategies are methods of approaching and facilitating the process of problem-solving with a set of techniques , actions, and processes. Different strategies are more effective if you are trying to solve broad problems such as achieving higher growth versus more focused problems like, how do we improve our customer onboarding process?

Broadly, the problem solving steps outlined above should be included in any problem solving strategy though choosing where to focus your time and what approaches should be taken is where they begin to differ. You might find that some strategies ask for the problem identification to be done prior to the session or that everything happens in the course of a one day workshop.

The key similarity is that all good problem solving strategies are structured and designed. Four hours of open discussion is never going to be as productive as a four-hour workshop designed to lead a group through a problem solving process.

Good problem solving strategies are tailored to the team, organization and problem you will be attempting to solve. Here are some example problem solving strategies you can learn from or use to get started.

Use a workshop to lead a team through a group process

Often, the first step to solving problems or organizational challenges is bringing a group together effectively. Most teams have the tools, knowledge, and expertise necessary to solve their challenges – they just need some guidance in how to use leverage those skills and a structure and format that allows people to focus their energies.

Facilitated workshops are one of the most effective ways of solving problems of any scale. By designing and planning your workshop carefully, you can tailor the approach and scope to best fit the needs of your team and organization. 

Problem solving workshop

• Creating a bespoke, tailored process
• Tackling problems of any size
• Building in-house workshop ability and encouraging their use

Workshops are an effective strategy for solving problems. By using tried and test facilitation techniques and methods, you can design and deliver a workshop that is perfectly suited to the unique variables of your organization. You may only have the capacity for a half-day workshop and so need a problem solving process to match. 

By using our session planner tool and importing methods from our library of 700+ facilitation techniques, you can create the right problem solving workshop for your team. It might be that you want to encourage creative thinking or look at things from a new angle to unblock your groups approach to problem solving. By tailoring your workshop design to the purpose, you can help ensure great results.

One of the main benefits of a workshop is the structured approach to problem solving. Not only does this mean that the workshop itself will be successful, but many of the methods and techniques will help your team improve their working processes outside of the workshop. 

We believe that workshops are one of the best tools you can use to improve the way your team works together. Start with a problem solving workshop and then see what team building, culture or design workshops can do for your organization!

Run a design sprint

Great for: 

• aligning large, multi-discipline teams
• quickly designing and testing solutions
• tackling large, complex organizational challenges and breaking them down into smaller tasks

By using design thinking principles and methods, a design sprint is a great way of identifying, prioritizing and prototyping solutions to long term challenges that can help solve major organizational problems with quick action and measurable results.

Some familiarity with design thinking is useful, though not integral, and this strategy can really help a team align if there is some discussion around which problems should be approached first. 

The stage-based structure of the design sprint is also very useful for teams new to design thinking.  The inspiration phase, where you look to competitors that have solved your problem, and the rapid prototyping and testing phases are great for introducing new concepts that will benefit a team in all their future work. 

It can be common for teams to look inward for solutions and so looking to the market for solutions you can iterate on can be very productive. Instilling an agile prototyping and testing mindset can also be great when helping teams move forwards – generating and testing solutions quickly can help save time in the long run and is also pretty exciting!

Break problems down into smaller issues

Organizational challenges and problems are often complicated and large scale in nature. Sometimes, trying to resolve such an issue in one swoop is simply unachievable or overwhelming. Try breaking down such problems into smaller issues that you can work on step by step. You may not be able to solve the problem of churning customers off the bat, but you can work with your team to identify smaller effort but high impact elements and work on those first.

This problem solving strategy can help a team generate momentum, prioritize and get some easy wins. It’s also a great strategy to employ with teams who are just beginning to learn how to approach the problem solving process. If you want some insight into a way to employ this strategy, we recommend looking at our design sprint template below!

Use guiding frameworks or try new methodologies

Some problems are best solved by introducing a major shift in perspective or by using new methodologies that encourage your team to think differently.

Props and tools such as Methodkit , which uses a card-based toolkit for facilitation, or Lego Serious Play can be great ways to engage your team and find an inclusive, democratic problem solving strategy. Remember that play and creativity are great tools for achieving change and whatever the challenge, engaging your participants can be very effective where other strategies may have failed.

LEGO Serious Play

• Improving core problem solving skills
• Thinking outside of the box
• Encouraging creative solutions

LEGO Serious Play is a problem solving methodology designed to get participants thinking differently by using 3D models and kinesthetic learning styles. By physically building LEGO models based on questions and exercises, participants are encouraged to think outside of the box and create their own responses. 

Collaborate LEGO Serious Play exercises are also used to encourage communication and build problem solving skills in a group. By using this problem solving process, you can often help different kinds of learners and personality types contribute and unblock organizational problems with creative thinking. 

Problem solving strategies like LEGO Serious Play are super effective at helping a team solve more skills-based problems such as communication between teams or a lack of creative thinking. Some problems are not suited to LEGO Serious Play and require a different problem solving strategy.

Card Decks and Method Kits

• New facilitators or non-facilitators 
• Approaching difficult subjects with a simple, creative framework
• Engaging those with varied learning styles

Card decks and method kids are great tools for those new to facilitation or for whom facilitation is not the primary role. Card decks such as the emotional culture deck can be used for complete workshops and in many cases, can be used right out of the box. Methodkit has a variety of kits designed for scenarios ranging from personal development through to personas and global challenges so you can find the right deck for your particular needs.

Having an easy to use framework that encourages creativity or a new approach can take some of the friction or planning difficulties out of the workshop process and energize a team in any setting. Simplicity is the key with these methods. By ensuring everyone on your team can get involved and engage with the process as quickly as possible can really contribute to the success of your problem solving strategy.

Source external advice

Looking to peers, experts and external facilitators can be a great way of approaching the problem solving process. Your team may not have the necessary expertise, insights of experience to tackle some issues, or you might simply benefit from a fresh perspective. Some problems may require bringing together an entire team, and coaching managers or team members individually might be the right approach. Remember that not all problems are best resolved in the same manner.

If you’re a solo entrepreneur, peer groups, coaches and mentors can also be invaluable at not only solving specific business problems, but in providing a support network for resolving future challenges. One great approach is to join a Mastermind Group and link up with like-minded individuals and all grow together. Remember that however you approach the sourcing of external advice, do so thoughtfully, respectfully and honestly. Reciprocate where you can and prepare to be surprised by just how kind and helpful your peers can be!

Mastermind Group

• Solo entrepreneurs or small teams with low capacity
• Peer learning and gaining outside expertise
• Getting multiple external points of view quickly

Problem solving in large organizations with lots of skilled team members is one thing, but how about if you work for yourself or in a very small team without the capacity to get the most from a design sprint or LEGO Serious Play session? 

A mastermind group – sometimes known as a peer advisory board – is where a group of people come together to support one another in their own goals, challenges, and businesses. Each participant comes to the group with their own purpose and the other members of the group will help them create solutions, brainstorm ideas, and support one another. 

Mastermind groups are very effective in creating an energized, supportive atmosphere that can deliver meaningful results. Learning from peers from outside of your organization or industry can really help unlock new ways of thinking and drive growth. Access to the experience and skills of your peers can be invaluable in helping fill the gaps in your own ability, particularly in young companies.

A mastermind group is a great solution for solo entrepreneurs, small teams, or for organizations that feel that external expertise or fresh perspectives will be beneficial for them. It is worth noting that Mastermind groups are often only as good as the participants and what they can bring to the group. Participants need to be committed, engaged and understand how to work in this context. 

Coaching and mentoring

• Focused learning and development
• Filling skills gaps
• Working on a range of challenges over time

Receiving advice from a business coach or building a mentor/mentee relationship can be an effective way of resolving certain challenges. The one-to-one format of most coaching and mentor relationships can really help solve the challenges those individuals are having and benefit the organization as a result.

A great mentor can be invaluable when it comes to spotting potential problems before they arise and coming to understand a mentee very well has a host of other business benefits. You might run an internal mentorship program to help develop your team’s problem solving skills and strategies or as part of a large learning and development program. External coaches can also be an important part of your problem solving strategy, filling skills gaps for your management team or helping with specific business issues. 

Now we’ve explored the problem solving process and the steps you will want to go through in order to have an effective session, let’s look at the skills you and your team need to be more effective problem solvers.

Problem solving skills are highly sought after, whatever industry or team you work in. Organizations are keen to employ people who are able to approach problems thoughtfully and find strong, realistic solutions. Whether you are a facilitator , a team leader or a developer, being an effective problem solver is a skill you’ll want to develop.

Problem solving skills form a whole suite of techniques and approaches that an individual uses to not only identify problems but to discuss them productively before then developing appropriate solutions.

Here are some of the most important problem solving skills everyone from executives to junior staff members should learn. We’ve also included an activity or exercise from the SessionLab library that can help you and your team develop that skill. 

If you’re running a workshop or training session to try and improve problem solving skills in your team, try using these methods to supercharge your process!

Active listening

Active listening is one of the most important skills anyone who works with people can possess. In short, active listening is a technique used to not only better understand what is being said by an individual, but also to be more aware of the underlying message the speaker is trying to convey. When it comes to problem solving, active listening is integral for understanding the position of every participant and to clarify the challenges, ideas and solutions they bring to the table.

Some active listening skills include:

• Paying complete attention to the speaker.
• Removing distractions.
• Avoid interruption.
• Taking the time to fully understand before preparing a rebuttal.
• Responding respectfully and appropriately.
• Demonstrate attentiveness and positivity with an open posture, making eye contact with the speaker, smiling and nodding if appropriate. Show that you are listening and encourage them to continue.
• Be aware of and respectful of feelings. Judge the situation and respond appropriately. You can disagree without being disrespectful.   
• Observe body language. 
• Paraphrase what was said in your own words, either mentally or verbally.
• Remain neutral. 
• Reflect and take a moment before responding.
• Ask deeper questions based on what is said and clarify points where necessary.   

Active Listening   #hyperisland   #skills   #active listening   #remote-friendly   This activity supports participants to reflect on a question and generate their own solutions using simple principles of active listening and peer coaching. It’s an excellent introduction to active listening but can also be used with groups that are already familiar with it. Participants work in groups of three and take turns being: “the subject”, the listener, and the observer.

Analytical skills

All problem solving models require strong analytical skills, particularly during the beginning of the process and when it comes to analyzing how solutions have performed.

Analytical skills are primarily focused on performing an effective analysis by collecting, studying and parsing data related to a problem or opportunity. 

It often involves spotting patterns, being able to see things from different perspectives and using observable facts and data to make suggestions or produce insight. 

Analytical skills are also important at every stage of the problem solving process and by having these skills, you can ensure that any ideas or solutions you create or backed up analytically and have been sufficiently thought out.

Nine Whys   #innovation   #issue analysis   #liberating structures   With breathtaking simplicity, you can rapidly clarify for individuals and a group what is essentially important in their work. You can quickly reveal when a compelling purpose is missing in a gathering and avoid moving forward without clarity. When a group discovers an unambiguous shared purpose, more freedom and more responsibility are unleashed. You have laid the foundation for spreading and scaling innovations with fidelity.

Collaboration

Trying to solve problems on your own is difficult. Being able to collaborate effectively, with a free exchange of ideas, to delegate and be a productive member of a team is hugely important to all problem solving strategies.

Remember that whatever your role, collaboration is integral, and in a problem solving process, you are all working together to find the best solution for everyone. 

Marshmallow challenge with debriefing   #teamwork   #team   #leadership   #collaboration   In eighteen minutes, teams must build the tallest free-standing structure out of 20 sticks of spaghetti, one yard of tape, one yard of string, and one marshmallow. The marshmallow needs to be on top. The Marshmallow Challenge was developed by Tom Wujec, who has done the activity with hundreds of groups around the world. Visit the Marshmallow Challenge website for more information. This version has an extra debriefing question added with sample questions focusing on roles within the team.

Communication  

Being an effective communicator means being empathetic, clear and succinct, asking the right questions, and demonstrating active listening skills throughout any discussion or meeting. 

In a problem solving setting, you need to communicate well in order to progress through each stage of the process effectively. As a team leader, it may also fall to you to facilitate communication between parties who may not see eye to eye. Effective communication also means helping others to express themselves and be heard in a group.

Bus Trip   #feedback   #communication   #appreciation   #closing   #thiagi   #team   This is one of my favourite feedback games. I use Bus Trip at the end of a training session or a meeting, and I use it all the time. The game creates a massive amount of energy with lots of smiles, laughs, and sometimes even a teardrop or two.

Creative problem solving skills can be some of the best tools in your arsenal. Thinking creatively, being able to generate lots of ideas and come up with out of the box solutions is useful at every step of the process. 

The kinds of problems you will likely discuss in a problem solving workshop are often difficult to solve, and by approaching things in a fresh, creative manner, you can often create more innovative solutions.

Having practical creative skills is also a boon when it comes to problem solving. If you can help create quality design sketches and prototypes in record time, it can help bring a team to alignment more quickly or provide a base for further iteration.

The paper clip method   #sharing   #creativity   #warm up   #idea generation   #brainstorming   The power of brainstorming. A training for project leaders, creativity training, and to catalyse getting new solutions.

Critical thinking

Critical thinking is one of the fundamental problem solving skills you’ll want to develop when working on developing solutions. Critical thinking is the ability to analyze, rationalize and evaluate while being aware of personal bias, outlying factors and remaining open-minded.

Defining and analyzing problems without deploying critical thinking skills can mean you and your team go down the wrong path. Developing solutions to complex issues requires critical thinking too – ensuring your team considers all possibilities and rationally evaluating them. 

Agreement-Certainty Matrix   #issue analysis   #liberating structures   #problem solving   You can help individuals or groups avoid the frequent mistake of trying to solve a problem with methods that are not adapted to the nature of their challenge. The combination of two questions makes it possible to easily sort challenges into four categories: simple, complicated, complex , and chaotic .  A problem is simple when it can be solved reliably with practices that are easy to duplicate.  It is complicated when experts are required to devise a sophisticated solution that will yield the desired results predictably.  A problem is complex when there are several valid ways to proceed but outcomes are not predictable in detail.  Chaotic is when the context is too turbulent to identify a path forward.  A loose analogy may be used to describe these differences: simple is like following a recipe, complicated like sending a rocket to the moon, complex like raising a child, and chaotic is like the game “Pin the Tail on the Donkey.”  The Liberating Structures Matching Matrix in Chapter 5 can be used as the first step to clarify the nature of a challenge and avoid the mismatches between problems and solutions that are frequently at the root of chronic, recurring problems.

Data analysis 

Though it shares lots of space with general analytical skills, data analysis skills are something you want to cultivate in their own right in order to be an effective problem solver.

Being good at data analysis doesn’t just mean being able to find insights from data, but also selecting the appropriate data for a given issue, interpreting it effectively and knowing how to model and present that data. Depending on the problem at hand, it might also include a working knowledge of specific data analysis tools and procedures. 

Having a solid grasp of data analysis techniques is useful if you’re leading a problem solving workshop but if you’re not an expert, don’t worry. Bring people into the group who has this skill set and help your team be more effective as a result.

Decision making

All problems need a solution and all solutions require that someone make the decision to implement them. Without strong decision making skills, teams can become bogged down in discussion and less effective as a result. 

Making decisions is a key part of the problem solving process. It’s important to remember that decision making is not restricted to the leadership team. Every staff member makes decisions every day and developing these skills ensures that your team is able to solve problems at any scale. Remember that making decisions does not mean leaping to the first solution but weighing up the options and coming to an informed, well thought out solution to any given problem that works for the whole team.

Lightning Decision Jam (LDJ)   #action   #decision making   #problem solving   #issue analysis   #innovation   #design   #remote-friendly   The problem with anything that requires creative thinking is that it’s easy to get lost—lose focus and fall into the trap of having useless, open-ended, unstructured discussions. Here’s the most effective solution I’ve found: Replace all open, unstructured discussion with a clear process. What to use this exercise for: Anything which requires a group of people to make decisions, solve problems or discuss challenges. It’s always good to frame an LDJ session with a broad topic, here are some examples: The conversion flow of our checkout Our internal design process How we organise events Keeping up with our competition Improving sales flow

Dependability

Most complex organizational problems require multiple people to be involved in delivering the solution. Ensuring that the team and organization can depend on you to take the necessary actions and communicate where necessary is key to ensuring problems are solved effectively.

Being dependable also means working to deadlines and to brief. It is often a matter of creating trust in a team so that everyone can depend on one another to complete the agreed actions in the agreed time frame so that the team can move forward together. Being undependable can create problems of friction and can limit the effectiveness of your solutions so be sure to bear this in mind throughout a project. 

Team Purpose & Culture   #team   #hyperisland   #culture   #remote-friendly   This is an essential process designed to help teams define their purpose (why they exist) and their culture (how they work together to achieve that purpose). Defining these two things will help any team to be more focused and aligned. With support of tangible examples from other companies, the team members work as individuals and a group to codify the way they work together. The goal is a visual manifestation of both the purpose and culture that can be put up in the team’s work space.

Emotional intelligence

Emotional intelligence is an important skill for any successful team member, whether communicating internally or with clients or users. In the problem solving process, emotional intelligence means being attuned to how people are feeling and thinking, communicating effectively and being self-aware of what you bring to a room. 

There are often differences of opinion when working through problem solving processes, and it can be easy to let things become impassioned or combative. Developing your emotional intelligence means being empathetic to your colleagues and managing your own emotions throughout the problem and solution process. Be kind, be thoughtful and put your points across care and attention. 

Being emotionally intelligent is a skill for life and by deploying it at work, you can not only work efficiently but empathetically. Check out the emotional culture workshop template for more!

Facilitation

As we’ve clarified in our facilitation skills post, facilitation is the art of leading people through processes towards agreed-upon objectives in a manner that encourages participation, ownership, and creativity by all those involved. While facilitation is a set of interrelated skills in itself, the broad definition of facilitation can be invaluable when it comes to problem solving. Leading a team through a problem solving process is made more effective if you improve and utilize facilitation skills – whether you’re a manager, team leader or external stakeholder.

The Six Thinking Hats   #creative thinking   #meeting facilitation   #problem solving   #issue resolution   #idea generation   #conflict resolution   The Six Thinking Hats are used by individuals and groups to separate out conflicting styles of thinking. They enable and encourage a group of people to think constructively together in exploring and implementing change, rather than using argument to fight over who is right and who is wrong.

Flexibility 

Being flexible is a vital skill when it comes to problem solving. This does not mean immediately bowing to pressure or changing your opinion quickly: instead, being flexible is all about seeing things from new perspectives, receiving new information and factoring it into your thought process.

Flexibility is also important when it comes to rolling out solutions. It might be that other organizational projects have greater priority or require the same resources as your chosen solution. Being flexible means understanding needs and challenges across the team and being open to shifting or arranging your own schedule as necessary. Again, this does not mean immediately making way for other projects. It’s about articulating your own needs, understanding the needs of others and being able to come to a meaningful compromise.

The Creativity Dice   #creativity   #problem solving   #thiagi   #issue analysis   Too much linear thinking is hazardous to creative problem solving. To be creative, you should approach the problem (or the opportunity) from different points of view. You should leave a thought hanging in mid-air and move to another. This skipping around prevents premature closure and lets your brain incubate one line of thought while you consciously pursue another.

Working in any group can lead to unconscious elements of groupthink or situations in which you may not wish to be entirely honest. Disagreeing with the opinions of the executive team or wishing to save the feelings of a coworker can be tricky to navigate, but being honest is absolutely vital when to comes to developing effective solutions and ensuring your voice is heard. 

Remember that being honest does not mean being brutally candid. You can deliver your honest feedback and opinions thoughtfully and without creating friction by using other skills such as emotional intelligence. 

Explore your Values   #hyperisland   #skills   #values   #remote-friendly   Your Values is an exercise for participants to explore what their most important values are. It’s done in an intuitive and rapid way to encourage participants to follow their intuitive feeling rather than over-thinking and finding the “correct” values. It is a good exercise to use to initiate reflection and dialogue around personal values.

Initiative 

The problem solving process is multi-faceted and requires different approaches at certain points of the process. Taking initiative to bring problems to the attention of the team, collect data or lead the solution creating process is always valuable. You might even roadtest your own small scale solutions or brainstorm before a session. Taking initiative is particularly effective if you have good deal of knowledge in that area or have ownership of a particular project and want to get things kickstarted.

That said, be sure to remember to honor the process and work in service of the team. If you are asked to own one part of the problem solving process and you don’t complete that task because your initiative leads you to work on something else, that’s not an effective method of solving business challenges.

15% Solutions   #action   #liberating structures   #remote-friendly   You can reveal the actions, however small, that everyone can do immediately. At a minimum, these will create momentum, and that may make a BIG difference.  15% Solutions show that there is no reason to wait around, feel powerless, or fearful. They help people pick it up a level. They get individuals and the group to focus on what is within their discretion instead of what they cannot change.  With a very simple question, you can flip the conversation to what can be done and find solutions to big problems that are often distributed widely in places not known in advance. Shifting a few grains of sand may trigger a landslide and change the whole landscape.

Impartiality

A particularly useful problem solving skill for product owners or managers is the ability to remain impartial throughout much of the process. In practice, this means treating all points of view and ideas brought forward in a meeting equally and ensuring that your own areas of interest or ownership are not favored over others. 

There may be a stage in the process where a decision maker has to weigh the cost and ROI of possible solutions against the company roadmap though even then, ensuring that the decision made is based on merit and not personal opinion. 

Empathy map   #frame insights   #create   #design   #issue analysis   An empathy map is a tool to help a design team to empathize with the people they are designing for. You can make an empathy map for a group of people or for a persona. To be used after doing personas when more insights are needed.

Being a good leader means getting a team aligned, energized and focused around a common goal. In the problem solving process, strong leadership helps ensure that the process is efficient, that any conflicts are resolved and that a team is managed in the direction of success.

It’s common for managers or executives to assume this role in a problem solving workshop, though it’s important that the leader maintains impartiality and does not bulldoze the group in a particular direction. Remember that good leadership means working in service of the purpose and team and ensuring the workshop is a safe space for employees of any level to contribute. Take a look at our leadership games and activities post for more exercises and methods to help improve leadership in your organization.

Leadership Pizza   #leadership   #team   #remote-friendly   This leadership development activity offers a self-assessment framework for people to first identify what skills, attributes and attitudes they find important for effective leadership, and then assess their own development and initiate goal setting.

In the context of problem solving, mediation is important in keeping a team engaged, happy and free of conflict. When leading or facilitating a problem solving workshop, you are likely to run into differences of opinion. Depending on the nature of the problem, certain issues may be brought up that are emotive in nature. 

Being an effective mediator means helping those people on either side of such a divide are heard, listen to one another and encouraged to find common ground and a resolution. Mediating skills are useful for leaders and managers in many situations and the problem solving process is no different.

Conflict Responses   #hyperisland   #team   #issue resolution   A workshop for a team to reflect on past conflicts, and use them to generate guidelines for effective conflict handling. The workshop uses the Thomas-Killman model of conflict responses to frame a reflective discussion. Use it to open up a discussion around conflict with a team.

Planning 

Solving organizational problems is much more effective when following a process or problem solving model. Planning skills are vital in order to structure, deliver and follow-through on a problem solving workshop and ensure your solutions are intelligently deployed.

Planning skills include the ability to organize tasks and a team, plan and design the process and take into account any potential challenges. Taking the time to plan carefully can save time and frustration later in the process and is valuable for ensuring a team is positioned for success.

3 Action Steps   #hyperisland   #action   #remote-friendly   This is a small-scale strategic planning session that helps groups and individuals to take action toward a desired change. It is often used at the end of a workshop or programme. The group discusses and agrees on a vision, then creates some action steps that will lead them towards that vision. The scope of the challenge is also defined, through discussion of the helpful and harmful factors influencing the group.

Prioritization

As organisations grow, the scale and variation of problems they face multiplies. Your team or is likely to face numerous challenges in different areas and so having the skills to analyze and prioritize becomes very important, particularly for those in leadership roles.

A thorough problem solving process is likely to deliver multiple solutions and you may have several different problems you wish to solve simultaneously. Prioritization is the ability to measure the importance, value, and effectiveness of those possible solutions and choose which to enact and in what order. The process of prioritization is integral in ensuring the biggest challenges are addressed with the most impactful solutions.

Impact and Effort Matrix   #gamestorming   #decision making   #action   #remote-friendly   In this decision-making exercise, possible actions are mapped based on two factors: effort required to implement and potential impact. Categorizing ideas along these lines is a useful technique in decision making, as it obliges contributors to balance and evaluate suggested actions before committing to them.

Project management

Some problem solving skills are utilized in a workshop or ideation phases, while others come in useful when it comes to decision making. Overseeing an entire problem solving process and ensuring its success requires strong project management skills. 

While project management incorporates many of the other skills listed here, it is important to note the distinction of considering all of the factors of a project and managing them successfully. Being able to negotiate with stakeholders, manage tasks, time and people, consider costs and ROI, and tie everything together is massively helpful when going through the problem solving process. 

Record keeping

Working out meaningful solutions to organizational challenges is only one part of the process.  Thoughtfully documenting and keeping records of each problem solving step for future consultation is important in ensuring efficiency and meaningful change. 

For example, some problems may be lower priority than others but can be revisited in the future. If the team has ideated on solutions and found some are not up to the task, record those so you can rule them out and avoiding repeating work. Keeping records of the process also helps you improve and refine your problem solving model next time around!

Personal Kanban   #gamestorming   #action   #agile   #project planning   Personal Kanban is a tool for organizing your work to be more efficient and productive. It is based on agile methods and principles.

Research skills

Conducting research to support both the identification of problems and the development of appropriate solutions is important for an effective process. Knowing where to go to collect research, how to conduct research efficiently, and identifying pieces of research are relevant are all things a good researcher can do well. 

In larger groups, not everyone has to demonstrate this ability in order for a problem solving workshop to be effective. That said, having people with research skills involved in the process, particularly if they have existing area knowledge, can help ensure the solutions that are developed with data that supports their intention. Remember that being able to deliver the results of research efficiently and in a way the team can easily understand is also important. The best data in the world is only as effective as how it is delivered and interpreted.

Customer experience map   #ideation   #concepts   #research   #design   #issue analysis   #remote-friendly   Customer experience mapping is a method of documenting and visualizing the experience a customer has as they use the product or service. It also maps out their responses to their experiences. To be used when there is a solution (even in a conceptual stage) that can be analyzed.

Risk management

Managing risk is an often overlooked part of the problem solving process. Solutions are often developed with the intention of reducing exposure to risk or solving issues that create risk but sometimes, great solutions are more experimental in nature and as such, deploying them needs to be carefully considered. 

Managing risk means acknowledging that there may be risks associated with more out of the box solutions or trying new things, but that this must be measured against the possible benefits and other organizational factors. 

Be informed, get the right data and stakeholders in the room and you can appropriately factor risk into your decision making process. 

Decisions, Decisions…   #communication   #decision making   #thiagi   #action   #issue analysis   When it comes to decision-making, why are some of us more prone to take risks while others are risk-averse? One explanation might be the way the decision and options were presented.  This exercise, based on Kahneman and Tversky’s classic study , illustrates how the framing effect influences our judgement and our ability to make decisions . The participants are divided into two groups. Both groups are presented with the same problem and two alternative programs for solving them. The two programs both have the same consequences but are presented differently. The debriefing discussion examines how the framing of the program impacted the participant’s decision.

Team-building 

No single person is as good at problem solving as a team. Building an effective team and helping them come together around a common purpose is one of the most important problem solving skills, doubly so for leaders. By bringing a team together and helping them work efficiently, you pave the way for team ownership of a problem and the development of effective solutions. 

In a problem solving workshop, it can be tempting to jump right into the deep end, though taking the time to break the ice, energize the team and align them with a game or exercise will pay off over the course of the day.

Remember that you will likely go through the problem solving process multiple times over an organization’s lifespan and building a strong team culture will make future problem solving more effective. It’s also great to work with people you know, trust and have fun with. Working on team building in and out of the problem solving process is a hallmark of successful teams that can work together to solve business problems.

9 Dimensions Team Building Activity   #ice breaker   #teambuilding   #team   #remote-friendly   9 Dimensions is a powerful activity designed to build relationships and trust among team members. There are 2 variations of this icebreaker. The first version is for teams who want to get to know each other better. The second version is for teams who want to explore how they are working together as a team.

Time management 

The problem solving process is designed to lead a team from identifying a problem through to delivering a solution and evaluating its effectiveness. Without effective time management skills or timeboxing of tasks, it can be easy for a team to get bogged down or be inefficient.

By using a problem solving model and carefully designing your workshop, you can allocate time efficiently and trust that the process will deliver the results you need in a good timeframe.

Time management also comes into play when it comes to rolling out solutions, particularly those that are experimental in nature. Having a clear timeframe for implementing and evaluating solutions is vital for ensuring their success and being able to pivot if necessary.

Improving your skills at problem solving is often a career-long pursuit though there are methods you can use to make the learning process more efficient and to supercharge your problem solving skillset.

Remember that the skills you need to be a great problem solver have a large overlap with those skills you need to be effective in any role. Investing time and effort to develop your active listening or critical thinking skills is valuable in any context. Here are 7 ways to improve your problem solving skills.

Share best practices

Remember that your team is an excellent source of skills, wisdom, and techniques and that you should all take advantage of one another where possible. Best practices that one team has for solving problems, conducting research or making decisions should be shared across the organization. If you have in-house staff that have done active listening training or are data analysis pros, have them lead a training session. 

Your team is one of your best resources. Create space and internal processes for the sharing of skills so that you can all grow together. 

Ask for help and attend training

Once you’ve figured out you have a skills gap, the next step is to take action to fill that skills gap. That might be by asking your superior for training or coaching, or liaising with team members with that skill set. You might even attend specialized training for certain skills – active listening or critical thinking, for example, are business-critical skills that are regularly offered as part of a training scheme.

Whatever method you choose, remember that taking action of some description is necessary for growth. Whether that means practicing, getting help, attending training or doing some background reading, taking active steps to improve your skills is the way to go.

Learn a process 

Problem solving can be complicated, particularly when attempting to solve large problems for the first time. Using a problem solving process helps give structure to your problem solving efforts and focus on creating outcomes, rather than worrying about the format. 

Tools such as the seven-step problem solving process above are effective because not only do they feature steps that will help a team solve problems, they also develop skills along the way. Each step asks for people to engage with the process using different skills and in doing so, helps the team learn and grow together. Group processes of varying complexity and purpose can also be found in the SessionLab library of facilitation techniques . Using a tried and tested process and really help ease the learning curve for both those leading such a process, as well as those undergoing the purpose.

Effective teams make decisions about where they should and shouldn’t expend additional effort. By using a problem solving process, you can focus on the things that matter, rather than stumbling towards a solution haphazardly. 

Create a feedback loop

Some skills gaps are more obvious than others. It’s possible that your perception of your active listening skills differs from those of your colleagues. 

It’s valuable to create a system where team members can provide feedback in an ordered and friendly manner so they can all learn from one another. Only by identifying areas of improvement can you then work to improve them. 

Remember that feedback systems require oversight and consideration so that they don’t turn into a place to complain about colleagues. Design the system intelligently so that you encourage the creation of learning opportunities, rather than encouraging people to list their pet peeves.

While practice might not make perfect, it does make the problem solving process easier. If you are having trouble with critical thinking, don’t shy away from doing it. Get involved where you can and stretch those muscles as regularly as possible. 

Problem solving skills come more naturally to some than to others and that’s okay. Take opportunities to get involved and see where you can practice your skills in situations outside of a workshop context. Try collaborating in other circumstances at work or conduct data analysis on your own projects. You can often develop those skills you need for problem solving simply by doing them. Get involved!

Use expert exercises and methods

Learn from the best. Our library of 700+ facilitation techniques is full of activities and methods that help develop the skills you need to be an effective problem solver. Check out our templates to see how to approach problem solving and other organizational challenges in a structured and intelligent manner.

There is no single approach to improving problem solving skills, but by using the techniques employed by others you can learn from their example and develop processes that have seen proven results. 

Try new ways of thinking and change your mindset

Using tried and tested exercises that you know well can help deliver results, but you do run the risk of missing out on the learning opportunities offered by new approaches. As with the problem solving process, changing your mindset can remove blockages and be used to develop your problem solving skills.

Most teams have members with mixed skill sets and specialties. Mix people from different teams and share skills and different points of view. Teach your customer support team how to use design thinking methods or help your developers with conflict resolution techniques. Try switching perspectives with facilitation techniques like Flip It! or by using new problem solving methodologies or models. Give design thinking, liberating structures or lego serious play a try if you want to try a new approach. You will find that framing problems in new ways and using existing skills in new contexts can be hugely useful for personal development and improving your skillset. It’s also a lot of fun to try new things. Give it a go!

Encountering business challenges and needing to find appropriate solutions is not unique to your organization. Lots of very smart people have developed methods, theories and approaches to help develop problem solving skills and create effective solutions. Learn from them!

Books like The Art of Thinking Clearly , Think Smarter, or Thinking Fast, Thinking Slow are great places to start, though it’s also worth looking at blogs related to organizations facing similar problems to yours, or browsing for success stories. Seeing how Dropbox massively increased growth and working backward can help you see the skills or approach you might be lacking to solve that same problem. Learning from others by reading their stories or approaches can be time-consuming but ultimately rewarding.

A tired, distracted mind is not in the best position to learn new skills. It can be tempted to burn the candle at both ends and develop problem solving skills outside of work. Absolutely use your time effectively and take opportunities for self-improvement, though remember that rest is hugely important and that without letting your brain rest, you cannot be at your most effective. 

Creating distance between yourself and the problem you might be facing can also be useful. By letting an idea sit, you can find that a better one presents itself or you can develop it further. Take regular breaks when working and create a space for downtime. Remember that working smarter is preferable to working harder and that self-care is important for any effective learning or improvement process.

Want to design better group processes?

Over to you

Now we’ve explored some of the key problem solving skills and the problem solving steps necessary for an effective process, you’re ready to begin developing more effective solutions and leading problem solving workshops.

Need more inspiration? Check out our post on problem solving activities you can use when guiding a group towards a great solution in your next workshop or meeting. Have questions? Did you have a great problem solving technique you use with your team? Get in touch in the comments below. We’d love to chat!

James Smart is Head of Content at SessionLab. He’s also a creative facilitator who has run workshops and designed courses for establishments like the National Centre for Writing, UK. He especially enjoys working with young people and empowering others in their creative practice.

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12 SMART Goals Examples for Problem Solving

Everyone should aim to develop their problem-solving skills in life. It’s critical for career growth and personal development. That’s why establishing SMART goals is a valuable tool for achieving success and reaching desired outcomes.

This article will provide SMART goals examples for effective problem solving. Gaining inspiration to pursue these goals can help you become more organized and effective in problem-solving situations.

Table of Contents

What is a SMART Goal?

The SMART framework is an amazing way to establish practical goals . For those unaware, SMART stands for specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-based.

Still confused? SMART goals are:

• Specific: Accomplishing goals starts with defining them and how they will be achieved. The more detailed your goals for problem solving, the greater the likelihood you have of meeting them.
• Measurable: Having a quantifiable goal is a crucial SMART component. Tracking your progress makes modifying or adjusting the path forward easier if needed. You’ll also have a tangible way to determine whether or not your objectives have been met.
• Attainable: Try to decide on what is realistically possible before pursuing goals. If possible, break down your overarching goal into smaller objectives that fall within your current capabilities. Setting too high or unrealistic expectations cause you frustration and even giving up on your aspirations altogether.
• Relevant: You must align your actions with your core values . Hence, take some time to reflect on how you want your goals to reflect your interests and values.
• Time-based: Success doesn’t come without hard work and dedication, so you should have a specific timeline when working toward your dreams. You will stay organized and motivated throughout the journey when you set a deadline.

In today’s world, being able to identify and solve problems using analytical skills can’t be undervalued. Following the 5 SMART criteria above will allow you to achieve better results with fewer resources.

Here are 12 examples of SMART goals for better problem solving:

1. Define the Problem

“I’ll create a plan to define and describe the problem I’m trying to solve by the end of two weeks. This will allow me to identify the exact issue that needs to be addressed and develop an effective solution promptly.”

Specific: The goal outlines the task of defining and describing a problem.

Measurable: You can measure your progress by creating a plan after two weeks.

Attainable: The statement is within reach because it requires critical thinking and planning.

Relevant: Defining an issue is required for enhanced problem solving.

Time-based: There is a two-week timeline for accomplishing this goal.

2. Analyze Root Cause

“I will take the time to thoroughly analyze the root cause of a problem before I attempt to come up with a solution. Before jumping into a solution, I’ll consider the possible causes and try to figure out how they interact with each other.”

Specific: The SMART goal outlines what will be done to analyze the root cause of a problem.

Measurable: You could measure how often you take the time for analysis.

Attainable: This is realistic because taking the time to do a thorough analysis is possible.

Relevant: Gaining a better understanding of the root causes of a problem can lead to more effective solutions.

Time-based: You’ll follow this process every time you solve a problem, so this goal is ongoing.

3. Be Willing to Collaborate With Others

“For the duration of 10 months, my goal is to be willing to collaborate with others to find the best solution for any problem at hand. I want to be open to exchanging ideas and listening to the opinions of others so that we can solve our problems efficiently.”

Specific: The person must proactively strive to collaborate with others.

Measurable: You can keep track of how often you collaborate monthly.

Attainable: This is feasible because it requires only the willingness to collaborate and exchange ideas.

Relevant: Collaboration allows you to find better solutions and grow your network.

Time-based: You have 10 months to pursue this particular target.

4. Evaluate Alternatives

“I will review and evaluate at least three alternative solutions to the problem by the end of this month. I’ll evaluate the costs and benefits of each solution, prioritize them based on their potential effectiveness and make my recommendation.”

Specific: You will need to review and evaluate three alternative solutions.

Measurable: Count how many alternative solutions you listed.

Attainable: With enough time and effort, anybody can review and evaluate multiple solutions.

Relevant: This is related to problem solving, which can advance your professional career .

Time-based: You have one month for goal achievement.

5. Implement Action Plan

“To ensure that my action plans are implemented effectively, I will create a timeline with concrete steps and review it every two weeks for the 6 months ahead. I want all aspects of my plan to take place as scheduled and the process is running smoothly.”

Specific: The aim is to create a timeline and review it every two weeks for 6 months.

Measurable: The person can compare their timeline to the actual results and ensure that every aspect of the plan takes place as scheduled.

Attainable: This goal is achievable if the individual has the time, resources, and support.

Relevant: Realize that implementing an action plan applies to problem solving.

Time-based: Success will be reached after 6 whole months.

6. Ask the Right Questions

“I’ll learn to ask the right questions by reading two books on effective questioning strategies and attending a workshop on the same topic within the next quarter. This will allow me to get to the root of any problem more quickly.”

Specific: The goal states what to do (read two books and attend a workshop) to learn how to ask the right questions.

Measurable: You can check your progress by reading the books and attending the workshop.

Attainable: This is a reasonable goal and can be met within the given time frame.

Relevant: Asking the right questions is key to solving any problem quickly.

Time-based: Goal completion should be accomplished within a quarter.

7. Be More Flexible

“I will seek opportunities to be more flexible when problem solving for the following 8 months. This could include offering creative solutions to issues, brainstorming ideas with colleagues, and encouraging feedback from others.”

Specific: This SMART goal is explicit because the person wants to become more flexible when problem solving.

Measurable: Check how often and effectively you follow the three action items.

Attainable : This goal is achievable if you dedicate time to being more open-minded.

Relevant: Flexibility is integral to problem solving, so this goal is highly relevant.

Time-based: Eight months is the allotted time to reach the desired result.

8. Brainstorm Solutions

“I want to develop a list of 5 potential solutions by the end of this month for any problem that arises. I’ll brainstorm with my team and research to develop the options. We’ll use these options to evaluate the most feasible solution for a specific issue.”

Specific: You should come up with a list of 5 potential solutions with your team.

Measurable: Actively count how many potential solutions you come up with.

Attainable: This goal can be achieved with research and collaboration.

Relevant: Brainstorming solutions help you evaluate the best option for a certain issue.

Time-based: You should strive to meet this goal by the end of the month.

9. Keep a Cool Head

“When encountering a difficult problem, I will strive to remain calm and not rush into any decisions. For three months, I’ll take a few moments to pause, gather my thoughts and assess the situation with a clear head before taking action.”

Specific: The person identifies the goal of remaining calm when encountering complex problems.

Measurable: It is possible to measure success in terms of how long it takes to pause and assess the situation.

Attainable: Taking a few moments before taking action is realistic for most people.

Relevant: Keeping a cool head in difficult situations is beneficial for problem solving.

Time-based: This SMART statement has an end date of three months.

10. Don’t Make Rash Assumptions

“I will no longer make assumptions or jump to conclusions without gathering facts. I’ll strive to be more open-minded when finding solutions to problems and take the time to consider all perspectives before making a decision.”

Specific: The goal is explicit in that individuals aim to be open-minded.

Measurable: You can evaluate how often assumptions are made without gathering facts or considering all perspectives.

Attainable: Anyone can take the time to consider different perspectives before making a decision.

Relevant: This is suitable for those who want to be more mindful and make better decisions.

Time-based: Since the goal is ongoing, you will pursue it on a daily basis.

11. Take Responsibility

“I will take responsibility for all my mistakes and be open to constructive criticism to improve as a professional by the end of the next quarter. I’ll also learn from my mistakes and take steps to ensure they’re not repeated.”

Specific: The statement is evident in that you will take responsibility for all mistakes.

Measurable: Progress towards this goal can be measured by how well you respond to constructive criticism.

Attainable: This is possible since the person is willing to learn and improve with constructive criticism.

Relevant: Taking responsibility for your mistakes is an important skill, making this an appropriate goal.

Time-based: You have one quarter to complete the SMART goal.

12. Let Your Creativity Flow

“I want to explore the range of my creative problem-solving abilities and come up with solutions for difficult situations. To do this, I’ll take a course in creative problem solving and apply the principles I learn to practical scenarios within two months.”

Specific: You will take a course in creative problem solving and apply the principles learned to practical scenarios.

Measurable: By enrolling in the course, you can monitor your learning progress over time.

Attainable: The goal should be realistic concerning time and resources.

Relevant: Recognize that creativity is vital in many industries.

Time-based: You should ideally reach this goal after two months.

Final Thoughts

Setting SMART goals is a fantastic approach to solving any problem. They provide a clear structure for breaking down complex tasks into manageable chunks and encourage goal-oriented thinking.

While SMART goals may not work for every situation, they can offer a valuable framework for solving complex issues. Thus, it’s beneficial to experiment with this tool to develop problem-solving strategies tailored to individual needs.

What Are Problem-Solving Skills? Definition and Examples

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Forage puts students first. Our blog articles are written independently by our editorial team. They have not been paid for or sponsored by our partners. See our full  editorial guidelines .

Why do employers hire employees? To help them solve problems. Whether you’re a financial analyst deciding where to invest your firm’s money, or a marketer trying to figure out which channel to direct your efforts, companies hire people to help them find solutions. Problem-solving is an essential and marketable soft skill in the workplace. 

So, how can you improve your problem-solving and show employers you have this valuable skill? In this guide, we’ll cover:

Problem-Solving Skills Definition

Why are problem-solving skills important, problem-solving skills examples, how to include problem-solving skills in a job application, how to improve problem-solving skills, problem-solving: the bottom line.

Problem-solving skills are the ability to identify problems, brainstorm and analyze answers, and implement the best solutions. An employee with good problem-solving skills is both a self-starter and a collaborative teammate; they are proactive in understanding the root of a problem and work with others to consider a wide range of solutions before deciding how to move forward. 

Examples of using problem-solving skills in the workplace include:

• Researching patterns to understand why revenue decreased last quarter
• Experimenting with a new marketing channel to increase website sign-ups
• Brainstorming content types to share with potential customers
• Testing calls to action to see which ones drive the most product sales
• Implementing a new workflow to automate a team process and increase productivity

Problem-solving skills are the most sought-after soft skill of 2022. In fact, 86% of employers look for problem-solving skills on student resumes, according to the National Association of Colleges and Employers Job Outlook 2022 survey . 

It’s unsurprising why employers are looking for this skill: companies will always need people to help them find solutions to their problems. Someone proactive and successful at problem-solving is valuable to any team.

“Employers are looking for employees who can make decisions independently, especially with the prevalence of remote/hybrid work and the need to communicate asynchronously,” Eric Mochnacz, senior HR consultant at Red Clover, says. “Employers want to see individuals who can make well-informed decisions that mitigate risk, and they can do so without suffering from analysis paralysis.”

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Problem-solving includes three main parts: identifying the problem, analyzing possible solutions, and deciding on the best course of action.

>>MORE: Discover the right career for you based on your skills with a career aptitude test .

Research is the first step of problem-solving because it helps you understand the context of a problem. Researching a problem enables you to learn why the problem is happening. For example, is revenue down because of a new sales tactic? Or because of seasonality? Is there a problem with who the sales team is reaching out to? 

Research broadens your scope to all possible reasons why the problem could be happening. Then once you figure it out, it helps you narrow your scope to start solving it. 

Analysis is the next step of problem-solving. Now that you’ve identified the problem, analytical skills help you look at what potential solutions there might be.

“The goal of analysis isn’t to solve a problem, actually — it’s to better understand it because that’s where the real solution will be found,” Gretchen Skalka, owner of Career Insights Consulting, says. “Looking at a problem through the lens of impartiality is the only way to get a true understanding of it from all angles.”

Decision-Making

Once you’ve figured out where the problem is coming from and what solutions are, it’s time to decide on the best way to go forth. Decision-making skills help you determine what resources are available, what a feasible action plan entails, and what solution is likely to lead to success.

On a Resume

Employers looking for problem-solving skills might include the word “problem-solving” or other synonyms like “ critical thinking ” or “analytical skills” in the job description.

“I would add ‘buzzwords’ you can find from the job descriptions or LinkedIn endorsements section to filter into your resume to comply with the ATS,” Matthew Warzel, CPRW resume writer, advises. Warzel recommends including these skills on your resume but warns to “leave the soft skills as adjectives in the summary section. That is the only place soft skills should be mentioned.”

On the other hand, you can list hard skills separately in a skills section on your resume .

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In a Cover Letter or an Interview

Explaining your problem-solving skills in an interview can seem daunting. You’re required to expand on your process — how you identified a problem, analyzed potential solutions, and made a choice. As long as you can explain your approach, it’s okay if that solution didn’t come from a professional work experience.

“Young professionals shortchange themselves by thinking only paid-for solutions matter to employers,” Skalka says. “People at the genesis of their careers don’t have a wealth of professional experience to pull from, but they do have relevant experience to share.”

Aaron Case, career counselor and CPRW at Resume Genius, agrees and encourages early professionals to share this skill. “If you don’t have any relevant work experience yet, you can still highlight your problem-solving skills in your cover letter,” he says. “Just showcase examples of problems you solved while completing your degree, working at internships, or volunteering. You can even pull examples from completely unrelated part-time jobs, as long as you make it clear how your problem-solving ability transfers to your new line of work.”

Learn How to Identify Problems

Problem-solving doesn’t just require finding solutions to problems that are already there. It’s also about being proactive when something isn’t working as you hoped it would. Practice questioning and getting curious about processes and activities in your everyday life. What could you improve? What would you do if you had more resources for this process? If you had fewer? Challenge yourself to challenge the world around you.

Think Digitally

“Employers in the modern workplace value digital problem-solving skills, like being able to find a technology solution to a traditional issue,” Case says. “For example, when I first started working as a marketing writer, my department didn’t have the budget to hire a professional voice actor for marketing video voiceovers. But I found a perfect solution to the problem with an AI voiceover service that cost a fraction of the price of an actor.”

Being comfortable with new technology — even ones you haven’t used before — is a valuable skill in an increasingly hybrid and remote world. Don’t be afraid to research new and innovative technologies to help automate processes or find a more efficient technological solution.

Collaborate

Problem-solving isn’t done in a silo, and it shouldn’t be. Use your collaboration skills to gather multiple perspectives, help eliminate bias, and listen to alternative solutions. Ask others where they think the problem is coming from and what solutions would help them with your workflow. From there, try to compromise on a solution that can benefit everyone.

If we’ve learned anything from the past few years, it’s that the world of work is constantly changing — which means it’s crucial to know how to adapt . Be comfortable narrowing down a solution, then changing your direction when a colleague provides a new piece of information. Challenge yourself to get out of your comfort zone, whether with your personal routine or trying a new system at work.

Put Yourself in the Middle of Tough Moments

Just like adapting requires you to challenge your routine and tradition, good problem-solving requires you to put yourself in challenging situations — especially ones where you don’t have relevant experience or expertise to find a solution. Because you won’t know how to tackle the problem, you’ll learn new problem-solving skills and how to navigate new challenges. Ask your manager or a peer if you can help them work on a complicated problem, and be proactive about asking them questions along the way.

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What careers are right for you based on your skills? Take this quiz to find out. It’s completely free — you’ll just need to sign up to get your results!

Step 1 of 3

Companies always need people to help them find solutions — especially proactive employees who have practical analytical skills and can collaborate to decide the best way to move forward. Whether or not you have experience solving problems in a professional workplace, illustrate your problem-solving skills by describing your research, analysis, and decision-making process — and make it clear that you’re the solution to the employer’s current problems. 

Image Credit: Christina Morillo / Pexels 

Related Posts

6 negotiation skills to level up your work life, how to build conflict resolution skills: case studies and examples, what is github uses and getting started, upskill with forage.

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Decision-Making and Problem-Solving

• Effective Decision Making
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• Introduction to Problem Solving

Identifying and Structuring Problems

Investigating Ideas and Solutions

Implementing a Solution and Feedback

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The SkillsYouNeed Guide to Interpersonal Skills

Making decisions and solving problems are two key areas in life, whether you are at home or at work. Whatever you’re doing, and wherever you are, you are faced with countless decisions and problems, both small and large, every day.

Many decisions and problems are so small that we may not even notice them. Even small decisions, however, can be overwhelming to some people. They may come to a halt as they consider their dilemma and try to decide what to do.

Small and Large Decisions

In your day-to-day life you're likely to encounter numerous 'small decisions', including, for example:

Tea or coffee?

What shall I have in my sandwich? Or should I have a salad instead today?

What shall I wear today?

Larger decisions may occur less frequently but may include:

Should we repaint the kitchen? If so, what colour?

Should we relocate?

Should I propose to my partner? Do I really want to spend the rest of my life with him/her?

These decisions, and others like them, may take considerable time and effort to make.

The relationship between decision-making and problem-solving is complex. Decision-making is perhaps best thought of as a key part of problem-solving: one part of the overall process.

Our approach at Skills You Need is to set out a framework to help guide you through the decision-making process. You won’t always need to use the whole framework, or even use it at all, but you may find it useful if you are a bit ‘stuck’ and need something to help you make a difficult decision.

Decision Making

Effective Decision-Making

This page provides information about ways of making a decision, including basing it on logic or emotion (‘gut feeling’). It also explains what can stop you making an effective decision, including too much or too little information, and not really caring about the outcome.

A Decision-Making Framework

This page sets out one possible framework for decision-making.

The framework described is quite extensive, and may seem quite formal. But it is also a helpful process to run through in a briefer form, for smaller problems, as it will help you to make sure that you really do have all the information that you need.

Problem Solving

Introduction to Problem-Solving

This page provides a general introduction to the idea of problem-solving. It explores the idea of goals (things that you want to achieve) and barriers (things that may prevent you from achieving your goals), and explains the problem-solving process at a broad level.

The first stage in solving any problem is to identify it, and then break it down into its component parts. Even the biggest, most intractable-seeming problems, can become much more manageable if they are broken down into smaller parts. This page provides some advice about techniques you can use to do so.

Sometimes, the possible options to address your problem are obvious. At other times, you may need to involve others, or think more laterally to find alternatives. This page explains some principles, and some tools and techniques to help you do so.

Having generated solutions, you need to decide which one to take, which is where decision-making meets problem-solving. But once decided, there is another step: to deliver on your decision, and then see if your chosen solution works. This page helps you through this process.

‘Social’ problems are those that we encounter in everyday life, including money trouble, problems with other people, health problems and crime. These problems, like any others, are best solved using a framework to identify the problem, work out the options for addressing it, and then deciding which option to use.

This page provides more information about the key skills needed for practical problem-solving in real life.

Further Reading from Skills You Need

The Skills You Need Guide to Interpersonal Skills eBooks.

Develop your interpersonal skills with our series of eBooks. Learn about and improve your communication skills, tackle conflict resolution, mediate in difficult situations, and develop your emotional intelligence.

Guiding you through the key skills needed in life

As always at Skills You Need, our approach to these key skills is to provide practical ways to manage the process, and to develop your skills.

Neither problem-solving nor decision-making is an intrinsically difficult process and we hope you will find our pages useful in developing your skills.

Start with: Decision Making Problem Solving

See also: Improving Communication Interpersonal Communication Skills Building Confidence

Breadcrumbs Section. Click here to navigate to respective pages.

Cognitive Behavioural Coaching

DOI link for Cognitive Behavioural Coaching

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The way we think profoundly influences the way we feel and behave. Therefore, it can be said that learning to think differently can enable us to feel and act differently. Derived from the methods of cognitive behaviour therapy, Cognitive Behavioural Coaching: A Guide to Problem Solving and Personal Development shows you how to help yourself by tackling self- and goal-defeating thinking and replacing it with an effective problem-solving outlook.

This book gives clear and helpful advice on:

Dealing with troublesome emotions

Overcoming procrastination.

• Becoming assertive
• Tackling poor time management
• Developing persistence

Developing resilience

• Handling criticism constructively
• Taking risks and making better decisions

Originally titled Life Coaching: A Cognitive Behavioural Approach , the third edition of this book has been considerably revised and updated to reflect current thinking on some of the topics discussed. This book will be invaluable to all those who are interested in becoming more personally effective in their everyday lives, and to counsellors, coaches and psychologists, students and qualified alike.

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chapter chapter 1 | 26  pages, chapter chapter 2 | 14  pages, problem-creating versus problem-solving, chapter chapter 3 | 16  pages, chapter chapter 4 | 17  pages, time management, chapter chapter 5 | 20  pages, persistence, chapter chapter 6 | 20  pages, dealing with criticism, chapter chapter 7 | 15  pages, assertiveness, chapter chapter 8 | 21  pages, chapter chapter 9 | 21  pages, taking risks and making decisions, chapter chapter 10 | 23  pages, understanding the personal change process, chapter chapter 11 | 13  pages, putting it all together.

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7 Common Obstacles to Personal Development (And How to Overcome Them!)

Attention : This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may receive a referral fee if you make purchases through these links. It doesn’t cost you any extra money but it helps keep the blog running. For more information, please read the full disclosure .

Personal development obstacles are inevitable. No matter what path you’re on.

So if you’ve faced (or are currently facing) obstacles while attempting to improve your life, don’t worry, it’s completely normal and happens to all of us. 

If you’ve attempted personal development, personal growth, self improvement, or to better your life in any way, you know this to be true.

This means you have either:

• Bought programs
• Taken courses

And you’ve tried to integrate (and adapt) that information into your own life situation.

Throughout that process you’ve undoubtedly faced obstacles that have prevented you from making the changes and achieving the transformations that you were hoping for.

Those obstacles may have confused you, frustrated you, overwhelmed you, slowed your progress, or made you change directions altogether. 

“Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around and give up. Figure out how to climb it, go through it, or work around it.”    – Michael Jordan

The good news is that the obstacles you’ve faced are common and solvable. Meaning, they don’t have to be a deterrent or a road block.

Once you know how to overcome them, you’ll be able to use the same method to overcome them if they pop up again.

You care about reaching your goals and transforming your life. And I’m sure you already have an intimate ‘why’ behind those goals. 

This means you shouldn’t have to let obstacles stop you from making your dreams come true and getting what you want.

I wholeheartedly believe that.

We’re All in This Together

This is a topic that affects me too. As a matter of fact, I’m going through it right now. First it was the pandemic but lately it’s been a combination of digestive issues and anxiety attacks that interrupted my sleep, interfered with my daily plans, and caused me to lose about 10 pounds.

I chose to write this article because I need to solve these problems to move forwards in my own personal development journey. My hope is that the solutions I uncovered will help you out as much as they have helped me.

I get it that your problems are your own and can make you feel like you’re the only one who goes through them. And that may be true for some of them.

Those intensely personal obstacles could be a sign of inner resistance. A defense mechanism coming from within you. Causing you to slow down on purpose. If so, it’s usually an attempt to protect yourself from the risks and discomforts that come with change.

But lucky for you, most of the obstacles you encounter are common, meaning we’ll all face them at some point of our personal development journey. 

What are these common obstacles to personal development?

Keep reading to find out what they are. But first, let’s define personal development just to make sure we’re both on the same page.

What is Personal Development and Why is it Important?

“Personal development refers to those activities that improve a person’s talents, potential, employability, consciousness and ability to realize dreams and create wealth. In short, it’s what you do to improve yourself and your prospects in life.”   – The Importance of Personal Development

Personal development can also defined as:

“..the conscious pursuit of personal growth by expanding self-awareness and knowledge and improving personal skills.”   – What is Personal Development

So as you can see, personal development is any effort to better your life. It can mean:

• Reading books to learn new skills
• Changing your morning routine to get more done throughout the day
• Learning new job/career skills so you can make more money for your family
• Budgeting and improving your  financial literacy so you can have a better relationship with money
• Setting goals
• Working on your self-esteem and confidence 
• Improving your networking and relationship skills
• Working on your decision making skills
• Practicing meditation and mindfulness
• Improving your time management and organizational skills

What Personal Development Means to Me

For me, personal development is the next step after developing self-awareness .

Once you figure out why you are currently the way you are, why your life has been the way it has, and how you want  your life to change from here on out, you can move on to developing into the version of yourself that can make that future happen. 

 7 Common Obstacles to Personal Development (and how to overcome them!) 

Personal development obstacle 1 – which path to choose.

[ How do I decide which personal development strategy, system, or technique to follow?

Or should I combine the best parts of each?

How accurately can a beginner make these decisions?

Whose personal growth information is right for me and my unique situation? ]

Solution :   

You have to start somewhere. Getting stuck in analysis paralysis or decision paralysis will waste too much of your time.

It’s better to try something than sit still … even if it turns out to be the wrong choice in the long run. At least you took action and learned something by going through the process.

More often than not, what you learn from your first attempt will be able to be applied to future attempts. And they will go quicker since you’re not starting from the beginning. 

In this way, you will be combining the best parts of each. But not only by theory, you’ll have direct experience of which parts worked for you and which parts didn’t. 

Don’t let indecision or perfectionism keep you from taking calculated risk and educated guesses. You’ll never feel 100 percent ready or know everything you need to up front no matter how long you take to start.

Courageously move forward.  Learn and adjust as you go.

How can a beginner judge?

A beginner can’t confidently judge these things because they don’t have the experience yet. They haven’t learned by trial and error yet. This is why coaches are hired.

A coach does (should) have the experience and expertise that a beginner doesn’t have. So they can help you bypass some of the beginner mistakes that you’re likely to make. Due to lack of experience and novice judgement.

Have compassion for yourself. It’s ok if you don’t get it right the first time around. Try again. This is how you build confidence and resilience.

Feel out the situation as best as you can. Do some research on the creators and products. Read the reviews to see if any of the people who have benefited from the program or course sounds like they started from a similar place as you. Read their About Me page and see if you can relate to them. 

Personal Development Obstacle 2 – There’s Too Much Information Available  

[ As much as i want to read and buy it all, I have limited time and money to spend on their products and information.

How do I decide which products to choose, which order to read them in, and which ones to ignore completely? 

How do I find the time to read everything I want (and feel I need) to read to progress? ]

Follow your passion and curiosity. Let that inner excitement guide you. 

When you trust and nurture it, it’ll pull the right information to you at the right time. 

You’ll experience ah-ha moments and synchronicities. Meaning, everything will seem to just fall in place.

If you haven’t learned how to trust your intuition yet, you can start by developing your self-awareness skills .

How do you find time to read everything?  

You can’t! 

I mean, you can increase your reading speed, learn to speed read, or even photo read … learning to learn quicker is always a beneficial idea … but you still only have 24 hours a day. 

You have to let yourself off the hook. Accept that you won’t get to read everything you feel like you need to. Because that’s what it is … a feeling. Or more specifically, a belief.

The belief that you don’t know enough and won’t know enough until you read every book or blog post and complete every course on every personal development area that you feel you’re lacking in.

The truth is, you never know what you’re going to need to know until you need to know it. And you can’t prepare for everything. There will always be something that comes up that you’ve never even heard of … so how could you study it when you didn’t know it existed?

You couldn’t have! But I bet it’ll spark your curiosity when it does happen. That’s part of the mystery and excitement of learning.

Personal Development Obstacle 3 – Changing Too Much Too Fast

[ It feels like I’m trying to change too many areas of my life at the same time.

How do I decide which to focus the most effort on? How do I improve one area without letting the other areas fall behind from neglect? ]

You can prevent this by using a personal development plan. A plan will help you set which areas you’ll focus on, the order you plan to work on them, and measurable goals in each area.

“When you create a personal development plan, you create a clear path to achieving what you want. This type of clarity allows you to focus. Then, you can prioritize what’s essential and say no to the rest.”   – Life & Business Coach, Natalie Bacon

It’s ok for you to overlap certain areas. Just like you would with school subjects. You’d make small steps forward in each area. 

In other areas you’ll progress faster by working on one thing at a time. Especially if it’s something that will take a lot of your time or energy.

For example, if you choose to take classes, courses, go to conventions or retreats.

The same goes for things that take hours of daily practice.

Will some developmental areas fall behind? 

Maybe. But they’ll have their turn eventually. It’s up to you to decide which personal development areas will help you meet immediate needs and which are less urgent. 

Review your goals list and personal development plan to determine which skills you need to improve on first. Look at your end goals and work backwards. 

Do you believe you’ll be able to reach them just as you are now? Or are there additional skills you’ll need to develop or information you’ll need to learn? 

Start there.

Personal Development Obstacle 4 – The Personal Growth Process is Overwhelming 

[ What do you do when you get overwhelmed with personal development?

• By the amount of information.
• By decisions. 
• By slow progress. 
• By the obstacles that come up when you’re already taking action and trying to follow through on the steps or techniques that you’re learning about.

What do you do when obstacles come up that aren’t talked about in the original course or ‘how to’ post?

Obstacles that force you to stop all forward progress until you figure out how to solve those problems before getting back to what you were originally trying to do. ] 

Unexpected obstacles pop up while trying to learn almost anything new. Especially when you’re trying to follow instructions on how to do something you’ve never done before.

So naturally it applies to personal development books, programs, and to the courses you take (or blogs you read). New problems surprise you while you’re trying to accomplish the goals you’ve set for yourself.

But it doesn’t, does it?

There’s always at least one unexpected obstacle that creeps up. Usually right when you’re getting the hang of things and making steady progress.

The obstacle halts your personal growth progress and you have to spend time learning something else to solve that problem before you can go back to what you were originally working on.

Long story short, the entire process ends up taking way more time than you expected it to. Which slows down your progress and causes you to feel disappointed with yourself. 

For me this has happened more times than I can count.

It happened:

• while learning to meditate and do energy work,
• when I started using a daily/weekly planner,
• while trying to change my morning routine,
• while learning copywriting techniques,
• and most recently when I started building my website with Siteground ($3.95/mo. web hosting), WordPress (free), and the GeneratePress theme . 

Expect Obstacles  

Learn to accept that obstacles are a part of the personal development process, not just a distraction from the process.

Reframing it that way doesn’t stop personal development obstacles from being annoying … but it can stop you from expecting things to go as smoothly as in the books. 

Learn to expect (and accept):

• Unexpected problems that can take hours to resolve
• Extra steps that require Googling (or YouTubing) up even more tutorials 
• Problems that only a small percentage of people ever encounter (so it isn’t mentioned … anywhere). Meaning, back to Google.
• Times when the information just doesn’t seem to work with your particular situation and none of their examples apply to you. Think: square peg meets round hole. 
• Your ‘finished product’ not being a Pinterest perfect representation of the transformation that the book/course/article bragged about. 

Perfection only happens under perfect conditions.

Holding onto unrealistic expectations will slow your progress even further. Especially when it brings up self-judgement and negative self talk.

Go easy on yourself. Self-compassion serves you better than self-criticism when it comes to personal growth.

If you tried your best and pulled off some B+ work … then congrats, you nailed it.

Personal Development Obstacle 5 – Life Gets in the Way

[ Sometimes things come up that are so serious they put a halt on plans indefinitely or force you to change directions completely.

Things that take your development in a different direction (an unplanned direction).

World events, accidents, and surgeries for example. Having to deal with recovering from injuries, traumas, the quarantine, PTSD, panic attacks, mindset work, inner child work coming up, buried emotions coming up. Anything unexpected basically. ] 

“Life is what happens when you’re busy making other plans.”

Some of the events that happen in our lives are unexpected and unavoidable. No one can control everything. So you have to learn to accept uncertainty and how to adapt when it happens.

That might mean taking a break from an online course you’re working through to research stress management techniques or productivity habits because your plate is too full. It could mean taking a break from the gym to deal with a family crisis or heal from an injury.

Flexibility takes practice. So don’t expect to be perfect at it right away. 

One thing to remember is that growth comes in many forms. Just because you can no longer grow in the direction you wanted to doesn’t mean that growth isn’t going to happen in some other way.

That’s where the adapting comes in. But first you have to get past the anger and reach the acceptance stage. Otherwise you won’t welcome new growth opportunities. You’ll most likely reject them because you won’t  be able to recognize them for what they are. 

What does the obstacle/opportunity process look like in real life?

It took me a month or so after my patellar tendon surgery (and being stuck on the couch) for me to accept my situation and new limitations. Once I was able to let go of the way I expected my life to be, I came across new opportunities which led to a different direction to grow in. 

An audio book reminded me of copywriting and internet marketing. They were passions I had in my early 20s but had set aside when I lost vision in one of my eyes and had to stay away from computer screens for months at a time.

I decided to spend my time reading and researching everything I could about those subjects. And finally get some sort of online writing business up and running.

Fast forward a year of studying copywriting, marketing, problem solving, psychology, human behavior, selling, communication related subjects and taking online courses .

I finally made my “ life purpose project “ a reality.

I did eventually make it back to the gym and within 4 months, I was stronger than I’d ever been in my life. But my new passions became a bigger priority in my life and where I’m most focused on growing. 

It just goes to show that some setbacks are a blessing in disguise.

Always ask yourself, “What else could this lead to?”

Personal Development Obstacle 6 – Trouble Following Through

[ How do you guarantee that you’ll follow through on what you say you’re going to do? 

How do you commit to the plan and process even when life gets in the way? 

What if you can’t trust yourself to do it no matter what comes up or how you feel? ]

“You see, in life, lots of people know what to do, but few people actually do what they know. Knowing is not enough! You must take action.”    – Tony Robbins

This is one of the most difficult obstacles for me. During my research I’ve found (and tried) quite a few different techniques to help me stay motivated and committed. Here are a few of them.

■ Learn (and practice) self-discipline.  

 “Despite what many may think, self discipline is a learned behavior. It requires practice and repetition in your day-to-day life.” – 5 Proven Methods For Gaining Self Discipline

Self-discipline in this context is the ability to consistently do what you need to do to get where you’re trying to go. In other words, it means showing up and doing the work daily, even when you’d rather be doing something else.

A great side benefit of improving your self-discipline is it also builds up your self-confidence.

The more you trust yourself to solve problems, stick to your goals, and do what you say you’re going to do, the more you’ll grow to believe in yourself too.

■ Change your habits.

This one is easier said than done. As you know if you’ve ever tried to quit bad habits or adopt better habits before.

There are a lot of different opinions and approaches when it comes to changing habits. Most seem to agree that success requires addressing more than just the habit itself.

You have to take into account things like:

• Your environment
• The people around you and their habits
• Your mindset related to overcoming the habit
• Psychological triggers 
• Physical triggers
• How you feel the old habit benefits you

This is why trying to force yourself to change rarely works. You have to address your mindset, Psychological issues, and figure out ways to make the new habit more desirable to you than the old habit.

A great book that goes into depth on the subject of habits is Atomic Habits by James Clear . 

■ Find an accountability partner.

You can call, text, or email each other daily, weekly, or monthly to check in on the progress you’ve made towards your goals.

This motivates you to keep up with your work because you’ll want to have something positive to tell them when they contact you. Otherwise you’ll feel like you’ve let them down.

Just make sure your accountability partner is someone you can trust to do their part and is someone who won’t demotivate you by being judgemental or critical.

■ Set up a reward and punishment system for yourself.

This depends on your personal tastes and what motivates you. But some examples are:

• Rewarding yourself with a splurge purchase or a night out when you reach a certain number of words in a book you’re writing or when you’ve stuck with your new eating habits consistently for 2 weeks straight.
• Punishment could mean not letting yourself watch a Netflix show if you didn’t read, exercise, or meditate that day.

Whatever works best for you.

■ Break it down into smaller steps so you can track progress.

Small wins can help motivate you to keep moving forwards. This is another way to gain confidence and build self-belief. 

■ “Sell yourself” on what it means to you and why it’s important for your life.  

Remind yourself what problem it will solve and how your life will end up if you don’t solve it. Then paint a picture of how your life will change if you do. Using as many benefits and benefits of those benefits as you can.

Do this for as long as it takes for you to visualize it … feelings and all … as if you are living it in this moment.

Personal Development Obstacle 7 – The Information Didn’t Stick 

[ You’ve read the book, learned a lot, but never really put the information into practice.

Mainly because you forgot the exact details, steps, and techniques that were described in the book. So you only solve bits and pieces of your problems.

But never get the big changes or make the big leaps forward that you hoped for.

How do you get the benefits you were supposed to get out of the material? ]

■ Take notes throughout the entire book, course, etc. 

Write down everything that jumps out at you as important or interesting.

You can use a notebook , a binder, or simply start a Word/Google doc. The goal is to have it all organized in one easy to access place.

■ Highlight different parts with different colors.

This won’t work for every type of medium. But it will for books, other printed out materials, and for anything you can copy over to a google (or word) doc.

Select the words you want highlighted and use the highlight feature to change the color.

■ Write a summary (in your own words) after each chapter or section.

Write whatever you can remember. And then go back through the material to see how well you did and to fill in whatever you left out.

■ Practice using the information as you go … and before you move on to the next section. This is the same way you used to do homework in school.

In other words, treat each section/chapter/part as its own independent lesson. And do your best to master it before moving forward. 

■ Practice teaching the information to someone else.

It’s been proven that the process of teaching someone else improves your memory and your understanding of the material.

■ Read the book a second time.

You’ll see it differently and learn things that you didn’t learn the first time.

■ Commit to practicing the material for 30 days straight.  

The more you consistently use it the more likely it’ll become a part of you and feel habitual.

■ Pick only a handful of ideas from the book/course that you can implement into your life right now.

That way you won’t get overwhelmed by trying to do too much at once.

■ Make changes to your environment.

Place reminders related to the new habits in easy to see locations around your house, car, or workplace.

For example, putting healthier foods at eye level in the fridge so you’ll reach for them more often.

And you can move reminders of unwanted habits further out of sight, like hiding junk food in a cabinet (or in a different room).

For habits that revolve around ideas, you can look for posters or make print outs with reminders of the new thought processes and ideas you’re trying to adopt. Place them around your room or house so that you see them often.

You can also set alarms and reminders on your phone to remind you throughout the day. 

“Environment design is powerful not only because it influences how we engage with the world but also because we rarely do it. Most people live in a world others have created for them. But you can alter the spaces where you live and work to increase your exposure to positive cues and reduce your exposure to negative ones. Environment design allows you to take back control and become the architect of your life. Be the designer of your world and not merely the consumer of it.”   – James Clear, Atomic Habits , page 87

I hope that this list of common personal development obstacles (and their solutions) will help you reach your goals a little quicker and easier.

But keep in mind, these aren’t the only obstacles you might come across during your personal development journey.

Some other obstacles that might creep up are:

• A lack of support from the people around you. They might even try to discourage you.
• Negative self-talk that results in you talking yourself out of attempting positive changes. 
• Feeling directionless and goal-less as a result of not really knowing yourself or what you want out of life.
• Second guessing all of your decisions and never feeling “ready” to take the big steps.

So what do you do if obstacles that weren’t on the list do pop up? 

You can still use some of the strategies above and do your best to adapt them to your unexpected situations.

Accept your circumstances, remember that obstacles are a normal part of the journey, look for a bigger picture (hidden opportunities), and solve them one step at a time. 

As a recap, the obstacles we talked about in this post were:

1) Which path to choose?

2) There’s too much personal development information available

3) Changing too much too fast

4) The personal growth process is overwhelming

5) Life gets in the way

6) Trouble following through

7) The information didn’t stick

If you found this post useful, will you help me out by sharing it?

2 thoughts on “7 Common Obstacles to Personal Development (And How to Overcome Them!)”

Great tips. Our way of thinking directly impacts our way of feeling. If we want to change how we feel, then we need to change how we think! Life can definitely throw curveballs. If you ask me, Dory on Finding Nemo says it best, “Just keep swimming!” 🙂

I agree completely agree and love that Dory quote. Thanks for visiting and commenting!

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Amazon Robotics - Software Development Engineer Co-Op - Spring 2025

Job ID: 2750003 | Amazon.com Services LLC

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Are you inspired by invention? Is problem solving through teamwork in your DNA? Do you like the idea of seeing how your work impacts the bigger picture? Answer yes to any of these and you’ll fit right in here at Amazon Robotics. We are a smart team of doers who work passionately to apply cutting edge advances in robotics and software to solve real-world challenges that will transform our customers’ experiences. We invent new improvements every day. We are Amazon Robotics and we will give you the tools and support you need to invent with us in ways that are rewarding, fulfilling, and fun. Amazon Robotics, a wholly owned subsidiary of Amazon.com, empowers a smarter, faster, more consistent customer experience through automation. Amazon Robotics automates fulfillment center operations using various methods of robotic technology including autonomous mobile robots, sophisticated control software, language perception, power management, computer vision, depth sensing, machine learning, object recognition, and semantic understanding of commands. Amazon Robotics has a dedicated focus on research and development to continuously explore new opportunities to extend its product lines into new areas. Amazon Robotics internship/co-op/full-time opportunities will be based out of the Greater Boston Area in our two state-of-the-art facilities in Westborough, MA and North Reading, MA. Both campuses provide a unique opportunity to have direct access to robotics testing labs and manufacturing facilities.

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PERBEDAAN KEMAMPUAN PEMECAHAN MASALAH MATEMATIS PADA SOAL CERITA BANGUN RUANG ANTARA SISWA KELAS V SEKOLAH DASAR YANG MENGGUNAKAN METODE PROBLEM SOLVING DENGAN METODE DRILL

Asti Adisan, - (2023) PERBEDAAN KEMAMPUAN PEMECAHAN MASALAH MATEMATIS PADA SOAL CERITA BANGUN RUANG ANTARA SISWA KELAS V SEKOLAH DASAR YANG MENGGUNAKAN METODE PROBLEM SOLVING DENGAN METODE DRILL. S1 thesis, Universitas Pendidikan Indonesia.

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Penelitian ini dilatarbelakangi oleh pentingnya keterampilan dasar yang perlu dikuasai di abad 21 ini, karena kemampuan pemecahan masalah matematis ini merupakan salah satu kemampuan sekaligus kebutuhan esensial baik pada konteks kehidupan sehari-hari (personal) maupun pada saat dunia kerja mendatang. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui perbedaan kemampuan pemecahan masalah matematis antara siswa kelas V SD yang menggunakan metode Problem Solving dengan metode Drill. Metode penelitian yang digunakan yaitu metode eksperimen dengan jenis Quasi-Eksperiment dengan desain Non Equivalent (Pretest dan Post Test) Control Group Design. Populasi dalam penelitian ini adalah seluruh siswa kelas V SDN Cibabat Mandiri 4, Kota Cimahi. Instrumen yang digunakan yaitu instrument tes kemampuan pemecahan masalah matematis yang telah divalidasi sebelumnya. Instrumen tersebut diberikan sebelum perlakuan dan sesudah perlakuan. Analisis data pretest pada kelas eksperimen dan kelas kontrol diperoleh hasil bahwa kedua kelas memiliki kemampuan awal yang sama. Setelah itu dilakukan perlakuan di kelas eksperimen dengan metode Problem Solving dan di kelas kontrol dengan metode Drill.Selanjutnya, dilakukan post test pada kedua kelas. Hasil analisis data dilakukan dengan menggunakan uji-t untuk membandingkan skor kemampuan pemecahan masalah matematis antara kedua kelas dan menggunakan uji n-gain untuk mengetahui peningkatan kemampuan pemecahan masalah matematis antara siswa yang menggunaka metode Problem Solving dengan metode Drill. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan terdapat perbedaan dan peningkatan yang signifikan kemampuan pemecahan masalah matematis siswa yang menggunakan metode Problem Solving dengan yang menggunakan metode Drill. Dari hasil tersebut penggunaan metode Drill lebih efektif digunakan untuk meningkatkan kemampuan pemecahan masalah matematis pada soal cerita bangun ruang kelas V Sekolah Dasar. This research is motivated by the importance of basic skills that need to be mastered in the 21st century, because the ability to solve mathematical problems is one of the abilities as well as an essential need both in the context of everyday (personal) life and in the future world of work. This study aims to determine differences in mathematical problem solving abilities between fifth grade students of elementary school who use the Problem Solving method and the Drill method. The research method used is an experimental method with a Quasi-Experimental type with a Non Equivalent (Pretest and Post Test) Control Group Design. The population in this study were all fifth grade students at SDN Cibabat Mandiri 4, Cimahi City. The instrument used is a test instrument for mathematical problem solving abilities that have been validated previously. The instrument was given before treatment and after treatment. Analysis of pretest data in the experimental class and control class showed that the two classes had the same initial abilities. After that, treatment was carried out in the experimental class with the Problem Solving method and in the control class with the Drill method. Furthermore, a post test was carried out in both classes. The results of data analysis were carried out using the t-test to compare the scores of mathematical problem solving abilities between the two classes and using the n-gain test to determine the increase in mathematical problem solving abilities between students using the Problem Solving method and the Drill method. The results showed that there was a difference and a significant increase in the mathematical problem solving abilities of students who used the Problem Solving method and those who used the Drill method. From these results, the use of the Drill method is more effective in improving mathematical problem solving abilities in elementary school fifth grade story problems.

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