RESOURCES

Developing a
Personal Growth Plan
Defining a Personal Growth Plan

Your life is too chort (maybe 75+ years) and too significant (every life has a
purpose) to not live it to the fullest potential possible. Yes, there are many
variables that you have no control over; but every one of us has 168 hours in
every week and 24 hours in every day. What you do with it IS your choice.
Sure, you may have had a tough childhood, or a disappointing and hurtful
relationship, lost a job or a loved one - none of us are exempt from those,
and many other very challenging circumstances. Yet, as David teaches all of
us, you may have felt completely abandoned by God (Psalm 22), and you may
also have realized that despite going through dark valleys, the Lord is with you
(Psalm 23), and ultimately come to the conclusion that you still have the
opportunity to elevate your life to a level of true fulfillment and satisfaction!

Psalm 24:3-4 “Who may climb the mountain of the LORD? Who may stand in
his holy place? Only those whose hands and hearts are pure...”

ASK YOURSELF...

What is my purpose?
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of
those who love God and are called to his purpose for them.” Romans 8:28

I believe I know God’s purposes for my life. 1 2 3 4 5

What is my plan and path?

“For I know the plans I have for you,” say the LORD. “They are plans for good
and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11

“We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps.”
Proverbs 16:9

I have a plan for fulfilling God’s purpose for my life with specific goals.
1 2 3 4 5
Who are the people on the path with me?
“So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise.
Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly,
but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine,
because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing
psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to
the Lord in your hearts.” Ephesians 3:15-19

I have the right people on the path with me. 1 2 3 4 5

When do I need to press on and persevere?

“We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that
they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character,
and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will
not lead to disappointment.” Romans 5:3-5

When I face challenges, I press on and persevere. 1 2 3 4 5

What pace do I need to set?

“He gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths
will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those
who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like
eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:29-31

I know how to set the right pace at the right times. 1 2 3 4 5

Will I achieve the prize?

“I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have
already reached perfection. But I presson to possess that perfection for
which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have
not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking
forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive
the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”
Philippians 3:12-14

I am well on my way to the summit. 1 2 3 4 5

PLAN TO PERSONALLY GROW...

Definition:
A growth plan is an intentional course of action laid out weekly for
personal development spiritually, mentally, physically, and in leadership
capabilities. A plan must be adapted to your individual strengths and
weaknesses, and therefore, is specific to you; while at the same time,
incorporating key disciplines.

“The day you stop growing is the day you forfeit your potential...”
~ John Maxwell

“The only job security you have today is your commitment to continuous
personal improvement.” ~ Ken Blanchard

THE FIVE LEVELS OF PERSONAL GROWTH...

“Jesus GREW in wisdom and in stature and in favor with God and all the people.”
Luke 2:52

Each level leads to the next level, and these are building blocks to greater
development and growth.

Level One: Learning

The first level of growth begins with the development of a daily diet of
learning tools such as resources, opportunities, and relationships. These tools
increase your understanding of the area in which you desire to grow.

Characteristics of Level One:

• Learning begins with identifying the areas I need to grow in by
examining my strengths and weaknesses.

• Leaning relies on resources, people, and growth opportunities.

• learning is challenged with consistency.

Level Two: Thinking
The longer you learn, the more it will influence the way you think and the
perspective through which you view things.

Characteristics of Level Two:

• Personal growth is no longer considered optional.

• A mental growth culture develops.

• Changing the way you think changes the way you live.

Level Three: Living

The more you think like the person you want to become, the more you will
begin living like the person you want to become. This is the action stage of
personal growth.

Characteristics of Level Three:

• Decision-making takes place based on what you’ve learned.

• You are growing in “wisdom.”

• Your learning now creates a more productive lifestyle.

Level Four: Impacting

By making consistent wise decisions that create positive results, you begin
realizing a significant level of impact on those around you.

Characteristics of Level Four:

• Momentum increases.

• People are affected in a very positive way.

• Significant fruit develops.

Level Five: Multiplying
At this level, your personal growth begins to influence those outside of your
immediate setting or immediate contacts.

Characteristics of Level Five:

• Your personal growth results in an effective model that
others imitate.

• You not only pass on growth, but also a growth attitude resulting
in the multiplication factor.

• you enable others to also live on purpose.

KEYS TO REMEMBER...

1. All personal growth begins with an attitude or mind change.

2. Consistent and applied personal growth eventually lead to outer change

and impact.

3. The “Living” stage of personal growth is the bridge between what you now
have learned and think, and what you now live.

HOW TO GROW TO A NEW LEVEL...

1. To grow through Learning: Develop a personal growth plan.

2. To grow through Thinking: Engage in consistent learning and

be accountable.

3. To grow through Living: Take the risk of applying what

you’ve learned.

4. To grow through Impacting: Make consistent wise decisions.

5. To grow through Multiplying: Reproduce a growth attitude in others.

PERSONAL GROWTH OBSERVATIONS...

1. You cannot skip a growth level.

2. Your greatest challenge is moving from thinking to living, because it involves

the greatest risk.

3. Consistency is the key to continuing the growth process.

4. If you ever stop learning, you will eventually stop thinking, living, impacting,
and multiplying; SO DON’T STOP LEARNING!
Start Here:
Four Components of a
Personal Growth Plan...

STEP ONE
Assessment Process: In what areas do I need to grow?

• Spiritual: What spiritual habits do I need to embrace?

• Identification: Where do I need to grow? What skills do I need

to develop?

• Responsibility: In what areas of life do I nee to become

more responsible?

• Life-mission: Am I fulfilling my life purpose? What are my passions,

gifts, dreams?

• Legacy: What will be my ultimate contribution to the world?

STEP TWO
Action Plan: How will I cultivate growth?

• Develop a schedule of the basic disciplines into your weekly routine.

• Map out a plan to incorporate these disciplines daily, weekly, monthly.

• Evaluate what resources are available, and what resources are needed.

• Pursue the necessary relationships to develop this plan.

STEP THREE
Accountability Partnership: Who can help me stay focused on growth?

• Internal: I must want to be responsible.

• Personal: One-to-One accountability. This must be a trusted friend.

• Group: 3-4 people (leadership team), 10-12 people (Life Group) -

vulnerable, authentic, and confidential.

• Mentor: Coach and father or mother figure; developing a deep,

intimate realtionship with a trusted leader who can speak life,
encouragement, and correction.

• Spouse: Allowing your spouse to ask the hard questions.

• Church: A faith community/family of people on the same spiritual and

growth journey.

STEP FOUR
Appraise Progress: How will I evaluate the results?

• Setting SMART Goals: Specific, Manageable, Attainable, Realistic, Timely.

• For a SMART Goals Worksheet, go to:

www.coaching4impact.com/blog/smartgoalsworksheet.pdf

• Keep a journal.
 Personal Growth Plan Worksheet

Growth Area:
A specific area/s for improvement based on the assessment process:

____________________________________________________________

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____________________________________________________________

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Growth Goal:
A specific description of the end result I am striving for in this particular
area/s. Keep it SMART:

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________
Growth Plan:
The specific combination of growth “tools,” (experience, people, and
resources) that will facilitate growth in this area/s.

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

Growth Partners:
The specific people and accountability formats that I plan to use to keep me
focused on this growth goal/s.

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________
Growth Check-up:
The time frame and evaluation process I will use to measure progress toward
mastery in this area/s.

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

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“If you want what you’ve never had before, then you’ve got to do something
you’ve never done before to get it.” ~ John Maxwell
WANT TO REALLY GET SERIOUS?

1. Evaluate your personal life: sleep, diet, and exercise.

• Sit down with a close, trusted friend and ask, “In what areas of my
personal life do you think I am the least disciplined?” “What do
you believe are the areas in my life that most hinder me from
fulfilling my potential?”

• Commit to possibly eating better and having a regular exercise

schedule.

2. Evaluate your time management.

• Look at your schedule and ask, “Am I making the best use of
my time?”

• Where am I wasting time? What am I spending time on that

someone else could do? What am I doing that doesn’t need
to be done?

3. Evaluate your prayer life.

• How much time do I desire to spend in prayer daily? Do I have a

place to pray that is private and allows me to practice my
spiritual pathway?

• Try scheduling prayer in the early morning for at least 30 minutes.

4. Evaluate your Bible-reading.

• Do I have a Bible reading plan? How often do I want to read

through the Bible annually?

• How can I make this more of a priority?

5. Evaluate your study habits.

• How much time daily will I commit to studying the Bible, my

other notes?

• How much time will I devote to reading books? Daily, weekly,

or monthly?

6. Evaluate other spiritual disciplines.

• Consider scheduling a day of fasting and prayer weekly for at least

the next month.

• Do you get alone with yourself to think and process life?

Schedule a personal one-day prayer and planning retreat at
least yearly.

7. Evaluate your personal finances.

• Ask yourself: Am I living within my means? Am I living simply?

How much money am I saving? Do I have/need a budget?

• Do I tithe? Why or why not? Do I understand it biblically?