3 Sneaky Ways to Make Time For Personal Development
Personal development?!? Nobody has time for that, or do WE? Alright, mamas! Let’s be real. Between the school runs, the endless snack requests, the mystery stains that appear on EVERYTHING, and the sheer exhaustion that rivals running a marathon in flip-flops, the idea of “personal development” probably sounds about as appealing as folding fitted sheets. Like, where in the actual heck are we supposed to find the time to become our best selves when we’re just trying to make sure everyone has clean underwear?
But hold up! What if I told you that you don’t need a silent retreat in the Himalayas (though, wouldn’t that be nice?) to actually grow and evolve? Nope. We’re talking about sneaky, efficient ways to squeeze in some brain-boosting and soul-soothing amidst the beautiful chaos that is motherhood with plenty of dream building personal development.
I find so many women are on auto-pilot. “Zombie Mombie,” it is. From aimlessly folding laundry, endlessly cleaning the kitchen (who knew this would be every. single. day.?!!), changing diapers like nascar does a pit stop; you get this picture! Moms tend to be in a rut. Women in general can sink into the quick sand of mundane life ever so quickly.
There is a quick fix! A beacon of hope that shines for every worn out momma to help her straighten up, and walk with more value and focus. What is this magic potion I speak of? There are many. But for today, I want to coax you into the world of sneaking personal development into our lives. This won’t take hours!
I’m talking about listening to these goodies while doing our hair, while doing dishes, while folding laundry, even while using the facilities! We can squeeze (see what I did there? #pottyhumor) personal development into our lives easily. It can make mundane tasks so much more purposeful and even enjoyable.
Personal development helps me see past today. It aids me to dream of days in the near future. Personal development makes me have fresh perspective, making daily routines more productive. I learn new ways of thinking, talking, and more. Are you ready?
So, grab your lukewarm coffee (because #momlife), maybe hide in the bathroom for five minutes (no judgment here), and let’s dive into three ridiculously easy ways busy moms can maximize their personal development (while driving, walking the baby or dog… during almost every single task):
1. Tune In, Turn Up (Your Brainpower!): The Magic of Audio
Remember those blissful pre-kid days when you could actually read a book? Yeah, me neither. But fear not, bookworms and knowledge-seekers! Enter the glorious world of audio. (I vaguely remember when I could read a long book in a day! Can you imagine the delight?! Maybe you still experience this? If so, please for the love of all that’s pure, share HOW you do that!!). I, personally, wear my audio apps out. My favorite is:
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Audible is Your New Best Friend: Seriously. This isn’t an ad (though, hey Audible, call me!). Think of Audible as your personal development fairy godmother. You can listen to incredible personal development books, inspiring biographies, or even learn a new language while you’re picking up toys (because multitasking is our superpower, right?), driving the carpool (captive audience!), or even during those rare quiet moments when you’re just trying to pee in peace. Plus, the narrators often have soothing voices that might just lull you into a brief moment of zen. Bonus!
I do listen to Audible at 1.2 speed generally. This helps me to absorb more, quicker. Try it, you might like it as well!
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Books that have fired me up so far this year include:
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You might wonder why I am listening to books such as these. Well, friends – I am determined to spend my days serving the homeless, making disciples, and impacting the world. So I keep studying these subjects, taking action to one day be able to make a big income, reaching my full potential. You can too! Let’s grow together. Please see: Bestlifewithjenn.com.
2. Podcast Power: Tiny Bites of Brilliance for Your Ears
Podcasts are like mini-mentors you can carry around in your pocket. There’s a podcast for literally everything, including a plethora of amazing personal development podcasts aimed at helping you grow, learn, and feel a little less like a frazzled mess.
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Find Your Tribe (and Their Wisdom): Whether you’re into mindset shifts, productivity hacks, or just needing a good dose of inspiration, there’s a podcast out there for you. Subscribe to a few that resonate and listen while you’re doing dishes, going for a walk (if that ever happens!), or even during that glorious 10 minutes of quiet before the kids realize you’re not actually asleep.
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Pro Tip: Speed up the playback! We’re efficient, remember?
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Podcasts that light up my life include:- Mel Robbins (who doesn’t not love her?)
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– Dr. Caroline Leaf (always makes me think, deeply)
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– Raised to Stay (never disappoints – yay Natalie Runion)–
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Lastly, this stellar quick dose of the Holy Ghost: Lectio Divina (all way eternal deposits are made)
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3. Scroll with Purpose: Injecting Positivity into Your Feed
Social media can feel like a black hole of perfectly curated lives and endless comparisons. But what if we flipped the script? What if your scroll time actually nourished your soul?
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Follow the Feel-Good Folks: Unfollow accounts that make you feel inadequate (bye, bye perfectly filtered makeup models!). Instead, intentionally seek out and follow positive influencers on social media who share inspiring messages, practical tips, and relatable content. Look for accounts that focus on mindset, self-care, motivation, and personal growth. A little dose of positivity and wisdom in your daily scroll can make a surprisingly big difference.
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Remember: Authenticity is key. Find influencers who feel real and relatable to your journey.
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Influencers who make me smile, inspiring me always:
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– Lisa Bevere
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– Lisa Harper
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– Teri Savelle
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– Natalie Runion
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The Bottom Line (and a Little Encouragement)
Mama, you are a rockstar. You’re juggling approximately one million things at once, and the fact that you’re even thinking about personal development amidst all that deserves a gold medal (and maybe a nap). Remember, it doesn’t have to be hours of intense study. Small, consistent efforts can lead to big growth over time.
Bonus Tip: This makes four, but oh well. It’s a good one to keep in mind! We can listen to YouVersion! Yep! We can listen to it read the Bible to us. Some of the devotionals can be narrated aloud as well. Check it out! This is definitely my daily pocket fuel.
Speaking of pocket fuel, for more information; check out my favorite books of 2024. You can’t go wrong with any of these. They will help you thrive in life! 100%! PS, you could listen to these books on Audible as well. You might LOVE it!
If my favorite books from last year wasn’t enough. Read THIS POST about my favorite books of all time. Yes, listen to these on Audible too!
In closing, I will be vulnerable: the minute I do not make time for personal development, I get stagnant. Stagnant stuff stinks and decays. When I make time for developing myself, I smile brighter and more often. I also enjoy life a whole lot more. Please join me in making this a priority. Proverbs 29:18 says essentially that people die or cast off restraint without vision. Taking time for self development keeps my vision clear. Life makes more sense with this stream of wisdom saturating my life. I bet it perks you up too.
Now it’s your turn! How do YOU sneak in those precious moments for personal development amidst the beautiful chaos of motherhood? Share your tips and tricks in the comments below – we’re all in this together! #bettertogether #strongertogether
