Progress, Not Perfection: How I Discovered the Power of Personal Development

We want to be the best at work, so we take on more and more responsibilities. We work hard, we climb the ranks; we push ourselves to achieve more. Then, one day, we realise we may have pushed it too far and lost our drive. We’re depleted.?

Stepping out of that rut is tough, I know. But it’s necessary and also totally achievable!

How Unhealthy Habits Creep In

I’m an extremely ambitious person. I love taking on new projects and responsibilities; my career invigorates me. I see this quality as a gift, and I don’t believe any of us (especially women) should feel we need to stifle it.?

Yet being ambitious and diligent also makes it hard to create balance in our lives. Many of us dream of achieving success and are fueled by our desire to excel in our careers. But there are only so many hours in the day, and balancing our careers and personal lives isn’t always viable. Little by little, we make sacrifices for the sake of our professional ambitions. We drop good habits - hobbies and passions we once treasured. I know I did.?

As soon as I started giving 110% of myself to my professional life, simple things like my eating habits suffered. I was always rushing, grabbing food on the go. I thought I was being smart, but my meals usually consisted of something from a restaurant or a quick sandwich and coffee. This sporadic eating hurt my energy levels.

I stopped engaging in activities I loved. While I've always been active, I no longer had much time for any of it. My love for reading also took a hit. I used to enjoy learning about new things, but that, too, fell by the wayside.?

The turning point came when I noticed that, apart from feeling exhausted, I was losing my identity. Who was I outside of my job and what unique skill sets could I contribute to my job (that I love)? What had happened to all the hobbies and passions I’d enjoyed as a child or at university?

The Turning Point

Often, we have an all-or-nothing attitude towards finding our passion. We feel lost if we don’t know exactly what our passion is and what brings us joy. This was the case for me.?

The realisation that changed everything was understanding that change doesn’t have to be all or nothing. It’s about taking one small step at a time. This concept of Kaizen, or continuous improvement, became my guiding principle. I realised I didn’t need a massive goal or know exactly what I was doing. Small, compounded actions were enough to start changing my life. So, I did!?

My Slow and Steady Approach to Personal Development

It’s okay to try new things without committing to an intimidating end goal. Go easy on yourself! Personally, I broke down the process into manageable, bite-sized pieces.?

For example, if I signed up for a class, I'd approach it open-mindedly. If I enjoyed it, I’d sign up for another. If not, no big deal - I’d move on to the next thing. This mindset applied to everything, from reading a book (aiming to read just two pages at first) to becoming an ISSA-certified Nutritionist . The goal wasn’t to become a nutrition coach, but to learn more about healthy eating, which complimented my interest in cooking and staying active. And shockingly showed me how much nutrition affects everything including brain function (i.e. my cognitive abilities and ability to focus at work).?

This shift in thinking made exploring new interests much easier. I began incorporating small, good habits into my daily routine. James Clear’s New York Times best-selling book, Atomic Habits , gave me many effective ideas and strategies for implementing healthy habits (and sticking to them). I highly recommend it, even if you’re not an avid reader.??

One practical step was being more conscious about wanting balance and fighting my natural tendency to overcommit. I started signing up for classes at realistic times and places to ensure these were sustainable commitments.

My initial goal was to attend two yoga classes weekly - one during the workweek and one on the weekend. These micro-steps eventually became habits. I adopted the rule of never missing a new activity twice in a row. If I skipped a workout one day, I went the next day.?

This gradual approach created a positive snowball effect. Feeling healthier led to better eating habits, which, in turn, increased my energy levels.?

Exploring Old and New Hobbies

There’s a quote that says: "If you don't know what hobbies or activities you enjoy, think back to what you loved doing as a child.” Isn’t it beautiful? It resonated with me. I was also struck by these words: "You can't naturally be good at something if you weren't meant to do it in some way."?

Motivated by these wise words, I revisited activities I enjoyed in the past and explored new interests aligned with those passions.

1. I revisited tennis, a sport I’d been passionate about since I was 12! I’d played quite intensely for a while, but had since stopped. Picking it up again, even if just for a couple of weekly classes, reignited that old spark and gave me the excitement and challenge I craved.
2. I’d been exposed to yoga during university and had done it on and off over the years. Signing up for a regular class helped me reconnect with that practice. My curiosity led me to delve deeper into the science behind yoga - the anatomy, the purpose of each position, and its overall benefits.?For me, it’s all about building knowledge. The Yin Yoga Teacher Training Course certification was a wonderful bonus!??
3. For the first time in my life, I signed up for a wellness challenge. It was an incredible experience with a community that supported, encouraged, and uplifted each other.?Completing the challenge left me feeling incredibly proud of myself. I had committed to daily workouts, followed the nutrition plan, and consistently hit my step goals. It showed me that I could stick with something challenging and see it through.

Finding your passion doesn’t have to be all or nothing - just explore what interests you. If a friend was exploring something new, I joined them. When I saw an interesting improv class on Instagram, I thought, "Why not?" Turns out, the three-day workshop was fun and even helped with my public speaking!

How My Personal Development Impacted My Professional Life?

When I feel excited and fulfilled in my personal life, that positivity carries over into my job. Last year, I was beginning to feel depleted and negative, which affected my energy and work productivity. But not anymore!?

Balancing my work and personal life doesn't follow a strict rule. My work days are often from nine to whenever, and that’s okay - it’s my version of balance. The key is to recognise how activities outside of work impact your job performance. Engaging in hobbies and activities that bring you joy contributes to your well-being, making you more effective and successful in your job.

It’s funny how I used to view my career as the only central part of my life. Now, I see it as just one aspect. I enjoy my job immensely, of course, but I’ve also realised the importance of having a fulfilling life and how all different aspects of my life complement each other.?

A New Perspective on Balance

What does balance mean to you? Over time, I’ve learned that true balance is more about integrating both aspects of your life in a way that brings overall fulfilment and happiness.

For example, when I started my nutrition class, it wasn’t because I had a plan but rather because I was genuinely interested in understanding more about food and its effects on the body. This approach to learning was refreshing. It showed me that pursuing personal interests doesn’t have to be a life-altering decision; it can simply be about enriching my life.

Similarly, my yoga practice reinforced the importance of ongoing learning and growth. Taking the teacher training was not about becoming a yoga instructor, but about deepening my practice and commitment to something I love.?

How I’m Facing the Future

Since starting this journey, I've become calmer and more mindful. I recognise now that the key is sustainability - finding a routine that works without feeling like you're juggling two full-time jobs.

I follow the 80/20 rule: I stick to my routines and habits 80% of the time, but it's okay if things don’t go as planned 20% of the time. For example, I can skip my walk or workout if I have a late night at work. This approach keeps me consistent and happy without the pressure of perfection.

Looking ahead, I can’t wait to continue exploring new hobbies and keep learning, holding tight to the Kaizen principle of continuous improvement. I’m motivated because I’ve already seen the positive results.

The New Me

If you had asked me eight months ago what I'd be passionate about, I would have drawn a blank. But passion doesn’t just come to you; you must go out, explore, and find it! Take one step at a time, and pivot if something else interests you :)?

I'm keeping an open mind and letting things unfold organically. Each new interest opens up more doors, leading to unexpected and exciting paths.?

Are you making time for your passions? How did you find yours, and what is it? What makes you excited to get out of bed in the morning? Share with me! I’m so interested to know.??