Personal development forms the peak of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs. Once basic needs have been met, people can move to the top of the pyramid where they will focus on what Maslow calls self-actualization. People in the top level of this pyramid are self-aware and concerned with personal growth. They want to make full use of their talents and are interested in fulfilling their potential.

Even though Maslow’s pyramid has received some criticism, it’s undeniable that personal growth is an important aspect of a happy and meaningful life. Investing in personal growth will help you gain a better understanding of yourself, will make you feel more confident and will give you a sense of achievement. But when you have a busy schedule, investing time in personal growth may be the last thing on your mind. We list 5 reasons why you should consider investing in your personal growth as soon as possible.

1. More confidence

Learning new things will make you feel more confident about yourself. The more skills you have, the more you’ll become certain of your own abilities and strengths. The more time you spend working on personal growth, whether it’s by attending training or by gaining hands-on experience, the more you build your expertise. As a result, You will have more confidence in your expertise, and by extension, in yourself.

2. Higher employability

Investing in personal growth will make you valuable for future employers. Whether you expand your existing skills, learn a completely new skill within your field of work or work on your soft skills, all these things will make you stand out in the crowd while applying for a new job. As a nice bonus, many of the courses you attend and the certifications you obtain can be added onto your resume or LinkedIn profile. Potential future employers will view you as someone who is curious and who likes to take initiative, making you an outstanding candidate.

3. Career advancement and salary increase

If you’re not looking for a new employer, investing in your personal growth can help you advance your career within your current company, or it might make you eligible for a salary increase. It’s a must to keep up with new developments, especially if you’re pursuing a career in the IT and technology industry, because things tend to change very quickly. Employees who regularly undertake learning activities are often better able to adapt to changes, and are regarded as more flexible, motivated and innovative by their employers.

4. Increased self-awareness

Investing in personal growth will undoubtedly lead to more self-awareness. You will learn a lot about what you’re capable of while learning a new skill. You will become aware of both your strengths and your weaknesses. That can be confrontational, but it will help you to gain better insight in yourself and the direction you want your life to go in. By figuring out where you’re at now, you can discover how you want to improve yourself to get where you want to be. Maybe you’ll even discover a talent that you never knew you had!

5. Personal fulfilment

This may be the most important item on the list. Imagine you’ve been working hard to obtain a certain certification. You’ve followed training and spent several hours studying and practising for the certification exam. When you finally obtain the certification, you will most likely be proud of this achievement. Investing in personal growth and making time to learn a new skill gives you a sense of accomplishment. Once you see progress, you get an energy boost and extra motivation as a result.