Do You Have a Personal Growth Plan?

Proverbs 24:3-7 says, "A house is built by wisdom, and it is established by understanding; by knowledge the rooms are filled with every precious and beautiful treasure.  A wise warrior is better than a strong one, and a man of knowledge than one of strength."

This passage stresses the importance of growing in wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.  Success comes from knowledge and the right application of that knowledge.  If you want to become more effective in any area of your life, you have to increase your knowledge in that area.  You must keep learning.  Hopefully you don't think that you are sufficiently "educated" simply because you have a diploma or a degree on the wall.  Your education should never stop. 

So what's your plan to keep learning and growing?  Consider developing a personal growth plan -- a plan to set aside regular time for the purpose of reading and learning.

The following is my personal growth plan.  It's nothing impressive, but it does ensure that I keep learning and growing.  Feel free to copy or adapt it to your needs. 

• Sunday:  Read for 45 minutes.
• Monday:  Reflect on what I've read and file it for future use (45 minutes).
• Tuesday:  Read for 45 minutes.
• Wednesday:  Reflect on what I've read and file it for future use (45 minutes).
• Thursday:  Read for 45 minutes.
• Friday:  Reflect on what I've read and file it for future use (45 minutes).

Caution:  About 63,000 new books are published every year.  Most books are not worth your time.  If you want to grow in a particular area, before buying a book do some research to discover the best books on that topic.  At ChurchAcadiana.com I have begun to compile "Reading Lists" that suggest the top five books on different subjects, such as Spiritual Growth, Doctrine, and Apologetics & Worldview.  Be sure to check these out.  More lists to come.