Get a Head Start in Shaping Your Life

Advice to teenage girls and anyone else who is need of these tips

I understand that no matter what stage you are in life, you will not know everything. Ignorance was not always bliss for me as a teenager as I missed out on a few opportunities for personal development. While it is not too late for me to play catch up, I often think about how far ahead I would be right now if I had mastered a few things.

These days we have greater access to knowledge, including guidelines on how to grow and enhance our lives. Here are my two cents on personal development for young ladies and other persons who may find these helpful.

Accept that not everyone will like you

Gold is one of the most precious and valuable metals in the world. It has been deemed suitable for royalty over many centuries yet there are some people who aren’t fond of it. When it comes to accessorizing, some people go for silver, platinum, beads etc. It doesn’t mean that there is something wrong with gold. In the same way, there may be peers, teachers, or even relatives who just don’t like you. Sometimes your personality and/or opinions clash with theirs, they may envy you, or they probably just have an ear infection, I don’t know lol. Trust me, you will waste time trying to please them, so focus on your dreams and stick to those who like you for you.

Show them that you are thick skinned. Photo courtesy of rehabcenterforwomen.org

Become involved in sports

When I first started high school, every new student wanted to join the tennis club. Maybe it was due to the huge turnout at the first training or the fact that I was a “nobody” but I receive very little attention from the trainers that Friday and the one after. I felt discouraged and gave up. If I had known better, I would have continued to attend training so that they understood that I was serious, tried another sport and befriend an older student who would teach me or take up my neighbour on his offer to teach me tennis.

If your body allows, take up a sport or two and reap benefits such as enhanced level of concentration, a stronger appreciation for team work and boost in confidence. Find someone who is willing to teach.

Football a.k.a as soccer, like many other sports, is not just a physical game. Players often use strategy to increase their chances of winning. A lot of these strategies are applicable to life off the field. Photo courtesy of more4kids.info

Do more church / community related activities

My daddy wasn’t much of a church goer, which is probably the reason he didn’t scold my sister and me when we stopped going during our teenage years. So not only did we rob ourselves of fellowship with the church family, we missed out on youth fellowship, various inter church competitions and other activities that would hone our skills and talents.

Academic achievements and prestige are remarkable and are priority for most of us; however these are insufficient in fulfilling personal growth and development. Extra -curricular activities will help us to be well rounded and multifaceted. Get involved.

 Accept Your Introversion

It wasn’t until I went to university that I learned to accept my introversion. I used to think that I needed to be outgoing and bubbly in order to get noticed or to excel. Insecurity allows one to accept garbage so of course when teachers or peers made me feel inadequate due to the fact that I wasn’t effervescent I accepted their lies. So when a well-respected friend in college said, “There’s nothing wrong with you. You are reserved. That’s just your personality, not a flaw” I was instantly comforted. Cherish perks of being an introvert.

Think it loud – I’m an introvert and I’m proud!

Will you make mistakes after incorporating these and other tips into your life? You probably will. Stumbling along the way to self-development is part of growing up. It still doesn’t hurt to use these guidelines from now. Create memories that are a beautiful blend of failure and triumph.

Info on personality types:

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Source:

http://www.healthline.com/health/mental-benefits-sports#3

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