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I believe in personal development. I believe in the process of teaching and growing myself beyond what anyone else could ever do for me. This is not to say that I don’t value formal education in a classroom with a knowledgeable professor, or sitting down to coffee with an old chap who has a grand story to tell. The reality is that my successes in the last four years have come primarily from my investigation, discipline, and sheer curiosity into anything and everything that sparks my soul.

If you’ve read my book, you know that I am highly fanatical about non-fiction books, especially ones on finance, entrepreneurship, and natural health. I give all the credit to this phenomena in my life to a man I hated for 9 weeks, my former employer, Mr. Moon Whang. Moon was a great boss, but I didn’t understand him, his business strategies, or the silly sales games he would make me play. I was required to work long hours, sell products I didn’t like, and read books he told me would “change my life.” All in all, I was disgusted with my experience and wanted nothing to do with him, his cheesy sales company, or any of the ridiculous training that he promised would increase my sales.

During my last week on the job I started reading a book Moon recommended, John Maxwell’s Your Road Map For Success. Up until that point in time I had only used a highlighter in college textbooks to make cramming for tests a little easier. When I found myself using a highlighter in this book, I was a little thrown off. The text was incredibly easy to follow, unmistakably genuine, and remarkably inspirational. I was hooked.

I knew that I would quit my job for a dozen reasons, but something about this book changed me. I began reading other books on personal finance, internet business, leadership, and spirituality. I discovered the self-help section in book stores and become a personal development junky. I was reading faster than I could comprehend the information and I didn’t see an end in sight.

Fast forward one year and I had run my first marathon, got engaged to the girl of my dreams, moved 1,000 miles across the country, and cut up all of my credit cards. One year later, I had started this blog, changed jobs three times, began writing my book, and discovered my love for mind-bending documentaries. Another year after that, I finished my book, become a raw vegan, and ran my first ultramarathon. Finally, in the last twelve months, I was promoted twice at my day job, found Jesus, completed a half-marathon, full marathon, ultramarathon, and a 200-mile relay race, and I have just recently put together a plan for my next business.

This sequence of events is not meant to shock you. For me, this is just the tip of the iceberg for what personal development can do. It has literally changed my life. I am a completely different person than I was four years ago when I sat down with Moon Whang and told him why I really wanted to sell Verizon Business Phone Service to unwilling patrons in Southeastern Massachusetts.

Where do I go from here?

Anywhere. I can literally pick up a good book, learn something new, and change anything I want about my life. Want to eliminate your frustrating debt? Check out Dave Ramsey. Thinking about starting your own business online? Look no further than Tim Ferriss. Considering losing a few pounds after the holidays? The China Study and The 80/10/10 Diet will surely redirect those fat cells to someone else, forever.

I’m serious when I say that personal development can change anything about who you are, where you want to go, and how you will enjoy the ride along the way. Genuine change takes time, but it only takes an instant to change  your mind. Pick up a good book today. If you need a recommendation, start with mine. Cheers!

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Don’t forget to check out my new revolutionary eBook for conquering life after college!

The Clueless Graduate,

Jeff & Tessa Sanders

Jeff Sanders


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