Today, I want to talk to you about something that I see a lot of entrepreneurs struggle with: the difference between personal development and personal recommendation.
It’s a subtle but significant distinction, and if you’re not approaching it in the right way, you may be inadvertently hindering your growth.
If you watch my content, you’ll know I talk a lot about the five fundamentals of business: finance, operations, people, sales/marketing, and corporate governance.
Personal development is a critical part of that, but what’s the purpose of it?
More importantly, are you making the mistake of seeking personal development advice in the wrong places?
This blog is for you if you’re guilty of this mistake.
Personal development is, at its core, meant to broaden your horizons, challenge your assumptions, and help you grow both personally and professionally.
There’s no shortage of advice out there, books, podcasts, blogs, seminars, you name it. Some of these resources will be game-changers, giving you those
“a-ha” moments that leave you with a new perspective.
Others will simply be filler, offering information that sounds good but doesn’t really serve you.
What many entrepreneurs fail to realize, though, is that not all personal development is created equal. The advice you consume should align with where you are in your current stage of development, both as a business owner and as an individual.
Otherwise, you might be grasping knowledge that’s not relevant to your needs right now.
The mistake I see most often is entrepreneurs going to their inner circle for recommendations on personal development.
They’ll ask:
“What book should I read next?”
or
“What podcast should I listen to?”
This approach is a misstep.
Why? Because the advice you get from peers at a similar stage is often generalized.
You may get good recommendations, but they may not necessarily address the specific challenges or stage you’re in.
Think of it like asking a fish how to climb a tree. It’s not the right advice for the task at hand.
In the same way, if your business is struggling with finance, it doesn’t make sense to turn to a peer who’s not experienced in financial management.
Instead, you should focus on learning from someone who’s an expert in that area.
Let’s say your business is facing financial struggles.
You can’t read a profit and loss account, you’re having trouble spotting trends, and you don’t fully understand key financial metrics.
What you need isn’t another general book on personal development; you need resources that are specifically focused on financial literacy for entrepreneurs.
This could mean investing in a book or course on financial management tailored for business owners.
Similarly, if you’re struggling with building the right culture in your business, don’t look for random self-help books on personal growth.
Instead, seek resources that directly address how to create an effective team culture.
Look at companies that have mastered this, like Google or Apple, and study how they’ve built their cultures.
Books like Built to Last by Jim Collins can offer invaluable insights into how successful companies have cultivated high-performance cultures.
The key takeaway here is that personal development isn’t about blindly following trends or recommendations.
It’s about focusing on what will help you solve your current challenges. In other words, invest your time and energy in learning what is most relevant to where you are now in your business or personal journey.
If you’re struggling with building the right culture, start by studying companies known for their culture and leadership, like Netflix or Zappos.
If you need to better understand marketing, go straight to experts in that field, like Seth Godin or Neil Patel. You wouldn’t ask a carpenter how to fix your car, similarly, don’t ask just anyone for recommendations on personal development, especially on LinkedIn.
Ultimately, personal development should align with where you are in your business and your life. It’s about tailoring your learning to your needs, whether it’s finance, marketing, leadership, or personal growth.
Avoid the trap of relying on generic recommendations from peers who may be on the same level as you.
Instead, be intentional about seeking out the advice, resources, and mentors that can help you address the specific challenges you’re facing.
As you continue your personal development journey, keep in mind that growth is about relevance, not just breadth.
Focus on what will help you make tangible progress in your current stage, and you’ll find that the path forward becomes much clearer.
Always here to help you start, grow, and thrive. Let me know how I can support your next big move.