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The Dynamic Growth Of The Personal Development Industry – Finding Your One Thing

Personal development. Self-development. Self-help. Personal growth. Whichever term you choose to use, we as people have historically looked for different means and ways to finding a more fulfilling life. Figuring out our purpose in life, or why we are here, has been a central question throughout human history and shows no sign of slowing. Recent history suggests that our appetite for finding our “one thing” is growing at a rapid rate. According to one source, in the United States alone, people have invested an estimated

* 5 BILLION dollars in the year 2000 * 9.5 BILLION dollars in the year 2005 and will invest an estimated * 13 BILLION dollars in the year 2010

This market has almost tripled in size over the last decade. One can see that our desire for being more and finding our one thing is growing at a phenomenal rate. So why now? What has driven people since the beginning of time to search for greater meaning in their life and why has this search exploded in the last few years? Part of the answer to the last question may be in this short clip from the 1991 movie “City Slickers”, starring Jack Palance and Billy Crystal. ( Note: PG-13 language coming your way! )

Jack Palance’s “Curly” laughs at Billy Crystal’s search for meaning in his life. He suggests that if we find that “one thing” then everything else won’t mean s*%#! Billy Crystal’s character then asks the question that we all want to ask….”what’s the one thing?” The answer: That’s what YOU have to figure out. Talk about a tough task! How does one figure out their “one thing” in this age of information overload? Consider the sheer amount of data, information, advertising and messages that we are bombarded with on a daily basis. The Nielson Company has done research indicating that 98.9 % of households in the United States have a television. A recent Pew Research study noted that nearly 67% of all adults in the U.S. have broadband access in their homes. If that isn’t enough, you can get on an airplane and fly virtually anywhere in the world to experience a different culture first-hand. A half-century ago, or even 15 years ago, we simply didn’t have nearly this much information assaulting our senses. It can seem overwhelming just to get through your day being bombarded with all of those messages. So for many folks, cutting through all of that “noise” to discover what their true purpose is has led them to explore personal development.

The next step for most of us is how to find it. How do I find “the one thing” for me? If we were all “wired” the same way, there would most likely be one process. Like snowflakes, there are no two humans exactly alike. And so there are many different methods, processes, paths and means to finding your one thing. Which one to choose???? One way to filter through all of the information is to start at the beginning. Your beginning. Here is one tool I can give to you as you search for your “one thing”. You will need a pen or pencil, a piece of paper, a quiet space and about 20 minutes for this exercise. It will provide you a great start, some direction and insight into finding your one thing. The most critical point here is to take action. Whether it’s the resource above, a recommendation from a friend or colleague, or an inspired thought, action is necessary if you are to discover what your one thing is. And if you need a little inspiration to act, just remember Curly’s words..”once you find that one thing, everything else don’t mean S#@*!

Steve Sheeren has spent the last 15 years training and encouraging individuals and corporations across North America to improve their mindset and skillset. He offers additional insight, articles and resources on finding your one thing, including an alternative to working for somebody else.