Podcasts are super popular, and many self development podcasts are ready to help you on your journey. However, their format may not be the most efficient and beneficial way of receiving the support you need. This post will dig into what’s wrong with them and what to look for. 

Listening to podcasts is an awesome way to keep you motivated on your self development journey. It’s such an easy and fun way to remind yourself of what’s important to you.

Nonetheless, if you’re truly on a journey and reaching new heights, you may need something that keeps up with you.

Like everyone else, I’m someone that goes through different phases, and on my journey, I’ve experienced firsthand how self development podcasts can keep me productive, and sometimes they’ve led me to give up. Being aware of these pitfalls will help you stay on course and prepare for the pitfalls.

This post is all about self development podcasts and what you need to know when picking the perfect one to listen to.

Here’s what’s wrong with Self Development Podcasts

Inconsistent Formatting

Now, this may not be relevant for every podcast but it’s pretty mainstream that podcasts experiment with different formats. Sometimes it’s an interview, sometimes it’s the host speaking about a topic, and other times it’s a combination of a few audio clips.

The point is podcasts like to experiment with their content. Which makes sense. Hey, they want to keep their people engaged.

The drawback here is do you know what to expect and does it align with what you need at the moment? Because if not this could leave you hanging and feeling abandoned when you need your pick-me-up.

I have a financial podcast that I love to listen to and I’m used to getting two short clips a day. That is until it comes to Friday. On Fridays, there is an hour-and-a-half-long audio clip of everything that was released during the week.

So what happens? I listened to everything and then I began to only listen to the short clips and then just the long ones and now I only listen when the topic stands out to me.

An inconsistent format makes it difficult to form a daily routine and you end up having multiple routines or just quitting the habit.

Make sure that your preferred format is always available for you.

Self Development is Broad

Self development comes in a variety of topics. It could mean working on your body, mind, spirit, finances, communication skills, or productivity skills. Honestly, it could basically be anything.

When you find a self development podcast that is all-encompassing you will come across topics that do not align with what you need. And if a new episode is released once a week and you don’t like what was released, then you’re missing your weekly dosage.

For example, a lot of financial gurus are moving into vans or out of the country and they start releasing content about their self-care habits. That’s very cool but now I don’t know where I stand on the spectrum.

How are you supposed to work on your journey if you’re not getting what you need when you need it?

It’s better to tune into one thing than follow a jack of all trades. Again nothing wrong with a jack of all trades but you go into these podcasts looking for what you need. Not to hear about ten different things that you’re trying to do at once.

A Straight Path

Everyone talks about it. Progress and development does not follow an upward curve. You go up and down and all around until you reach your goals.

Self Development Podcasts are unable to support you through every step on your journey. It’s not built to provide you with real-time information that will assist you during a specific point in time.

You need to be aware of this and be able to decipher what you need otherwise you’re setting yourself up for frustration when your favorite podcast is unable to support you when you need it most.

For example, if I listen to someone who talks about meditation and every video is geared toward beginners. Well, what happens after I become intermediate? Do I now have to ditch my favorite podcaster because they’re still in the same spot I was at one year ago?

It’s probably best to find someone that is at different levels and change/ upgrade to different podcasters as you develop.

Otherwise, your growth becomes stagnate.

Where’s the Focus

I love listening to other people’s journeys, they suck you in and make you see what’s possible.

The difficulty with listening to other people’s stories is, that it’s other people’s stories. Everyone’s opportunities, experiences, and obstacles are completely different.

When you focus on someone else’s tale and try to live by what worked for them, it’s not taking into account what’s special about you. Also, it’s not taking into consideration the environment you’re living in.

How much time and energy you put into other’s people’s narratives should equal how much time you put into yours.

Constant Ads

Obviously, money is always a factor in literally everything we do. And I get it. I’m a fan of capitalism.

However, ads can be a bit much. It really stinks when you’re getting into a story or trying to figure out when a podcast gives you tangible advice and then a stream of ads play.

I remember listening to a self development podcast and listening to ads for the first ten minutes. I thought ok I get it, you’re selling stuff can I please listen to this later?

It’s very annoying and reminds you that while you’re working on your personal journey, someone is trying to profit off of you. And that leaves you feeling a little bit vulnerable.

Ads are going to be here forever so remember when you’re looking for support, these ads are separate from the content you’re hoping to absorb.

Try to find a podcast that doesn’t go too heavy into the ads or at least shares ads that you find helpful or entertaining to listen to.

Here’s what to look for when selecting a Self Development Podcast

What topic do you want to focus on?

We can’t do everything all at once, so define what you want to take on first. Is there a specific subject you want to learn about?

Find the podcasts that dig deep into that specific interest. This may include finance, relationships, your body, being productive, figuring out what you want, and learning more about your options in the industry you’re interested in. The possibilities are endless. And only you know what’s the most interesting and imperative topic you need to start with first.

Once you know what you want to focus on finding a podcast that focuses specifically on that will be super easy. Don’t go for a broad self development podcast.

Also you could listen to a few podcasts covering different topics but it’ll be very overwhelming to actively try to better your life in multiple arenas at once.

Be patient with yourself and start with one. Everything starts with one.

What format works with your schedule?

Time is money and the beauty of podcasts is that it allows you to multitask. Maybe you can listen to it while you’re commuting or getting ready for work? Whatever the case there’s one that will fit perfectly with your schedule.

Some options may include:

Short clips – The easy bite-size episodes that go from 5 to 15 minutes.

Hour-long – These very long sessions are easier to absorb if you listen to them in one sitting.

Also after you figure out the time frame are you someone who likes to have a visual or prefer to just listen along?

Making these decisions will help you enjoy the experience.

Who’s energy do you like?

Finding the perfect podcast is like dating around. You want to listen to someone who you want to be like or be friends with.

Don’t just stick with the first thing you find. People have different tones and formats and when you find the right one it hooks you in. Which makes it easier for you to include in your routines.

Take your time and find the perfect fit for you.

You Can’t fail

Ultimately you can’t fail. If you’re putting the time and energy into bettering yourself.

It’s important to always remember you have a choice and a ton of options when adding different elements or things into your life. And having awareness is key. It allows you to articulate your thought process and helps you build a strategy.

With patience and as you consistently check in on yourself, then you’ll be able to adapt and change your routines as needed.

Here are my favorite 2

There’s no way we can discuss everything wrong with self development podcasts without mentioning some that go above and beyond.

1. Entrepreneur wise – BySophiaLee
   • As you can see I’m working on a blog. This chic keeps me motivated. And me working on something I care about is a form of self development for me.
2. Mind Wise – On Purpose with Jay Shetty
   • I love listening to this man. I get a relaxing calm from listening to him. He has awesome guests and really knows how to lead a conversation.

This post was all about self development podcasts.

Do you feel like you’re not quite ready to create a self development plan? Maybe you aren’t sure what it should include or avoid. Before putting a plan in place, you need to be fully aware of what your fears and needs are. These are the 13 questions you need to answer before dreaming up your plan. 

We all have baggage and sometimes we feel the weight and sometimes we aren’t sure what it contains. Sure we all want to move on to better and greater things, but before we put our past behind us or take instrumental parts of it into our future, we need to understand what we’re dealing with.

If you’re anything like me, then you’re constantly looking for the connection between your past and future. After all, we all want to matter and we want our lives to mean something. Answering these questions helped me make peace with my past and it’s getting me excited for the future.

In this post, you’ll have to confront your inner demons and dreams for the future. Then you’ll finally feel ready to take on creating a self development plan.

This post is all about the 13 revealing questions you need to answer before you create your self development plan.

13 questions that will lead you to create a self development plan

1) What feels off in your life?

So this first question you can easily cross off your list. You’re reading this post so that means you’re not as happy as you’d like to be. However, before you can think of an exit plan or a new direction, do you know where your energy is drained?

We all have those moments in the day where we think “oh no, not this again”. So what is it that you don’t want to think about? It can be a person, place, or thing.

Once you’re able to define what’s just plain annoying, then you can start planning how you’re going to start trying to get away from it.

2) Are you denying yourself?

This is probably the hardest question to answer. We’re usually not aware of what we’re denying because we’re too busy denying it.

So think back to the moments where you’ve said I love this or I loved that. And don’t just think back to yesterday, think years back. You don’t have to answer why you no longer say I love this or that, but be aware of that love that once existed.

If you loved it once, it was for a good reason and that is something you cannot deny.

3) Are you looking to start over?

Having a fresh start is such a lovely idea, but it’s a very difficult thing to do. Not all of us are begging to forget everything that has ever happened and dive into new terrains.

You need to define for yourself if this is something that you want. Do you want to have a completely new life? One that is full of totally new experiences? Or are you trying to make a slight adjustment and revisit something from your past?

Neither answer is wrong but if you’re like me and trying to connect the pieces of your life, then you’re most likely looking to the past. If you know life can be better in general then you’re looking to build something new for the future.

4) Do you want to learn a new skill?

Is there something that everyone else does that you can’t do and you’re left feeling completely jealous? This is a form of productive envy because it pushes you into taking action. Anything that gets you going, is a gift from your gut and intuition.

There are other times when something leaves you feeling very curious and wanting more. That’s also a good sign and that sign would lead you to learn a new skill.

However, there are also those moments where something feels super cool from afar but once you get closer you lose all interest, that’s also alright. You may want to learn a new skill or you may not, either way, the important thing to figure out, is where you stand and why.

5) Do you want to use your innate abilities?

We all have an innate skill set. Some of us have a type A personality and some of us are a bit more relaxed. Everyone is naturally perfect for something.

For example, some of us are anxious and like to work fast, they’re perfect for an urgent environment like a restaurant and some of us are super laid back and they’d be perfect for a club.

The important thing to note is are you happy with what you’re naturally good at? And is this something you want to take advantage of? If you’re having difficulty figuring this out, look to your parents or family members and see what characteristics resonate with you.

6) What bothers you the most in life or business?

Here’s another gift we may not be aware of, what is your pet peeve when it comes to working? Are you bothered by the way things are organized or presented or done? Maybe even this post on creating a self development plan is a bit annoying?

Whatever triggers you may help you figure out your calling card. Most people would conform to a problem and say that’s the way it is. Welp if you take the opposite approach it could lead you to an opportunity and you may create something better.

The question is, do you want to do the work? Is there something that bothers you so much you can barely take it? Good, do something about it.

7) Who or what do you love being around?

There’s nothing better than feeling like you are surrounded by something that brings you comfort. Is there a type of environment where this may exist for you?

Feeling inspired and happy by your surroundings is such a gift and it’s one we all deserve to give to ourselves.

If you’re not in this environment that helps you thrive, then you have to slowly figure out how to create it or how to get out of there.

8) What are you good at?

Through life, we all start developing new skills. We become exposed to new things and start taking on new tasks.

Is there something on your journey that you have picked up very easily? For example, did you think numbers weren’t your thing but now everyone is looking to you for the numbers?

No need to decide if this is a skill to keep or toss or develop or leave. Just have a level of awareness over what you’re good at. Many skills are transferable and sometimes they’re not in the right context for you to want to fully develop them.

9) What are you bad at?

With the good, there’s also the bad. Where are you failing in life?

This may be an area that could lead to an opportunity or to a life of emotional torture. Either way, being aware of your weaknesses allows you to take charge of your faults and decide what to do with them. It is definitely something to be aware of when you’re finally ready to create your self development plan.

Usually, in business, this is where the leader delegates the task but even with delegating, you need to have some basic knowledge of what you’re bad at.

10) What does your ideal life look like?

Something that’s great about social media and reality tv is that we’re exposed to what someone’s life looks like. Sure just a sliver of it but you have a greater awareness of what exists.

Who’s life looks cool to you? Who’s work do you appreciate? Who would you trade places with?

Having a vague image of what someone else’s journey looks like, will help you better understand yours and where you’d like to take it. Do some research and find what inspires you.

11) What business or industry do you know well?

At this moment in time, what do you know? I’m sure you’ve been exposed to some sort of activity or industry and that is amazing information to have. This could even be a topic like self development or writing a self development plan?

Once you can identify what you know, you’ll be able to connect it to what you want and leverage your experiences to achieve something more significant. And if you’ve never worked in the industry that appeals to you most, well believe me they’re more connected than you know.

For example, my improv classes have helped me become a better presenter in business. It’s just a matter of thinking outside the box.

12) Who would you love to work with?

This is the fun part. Who’s on your list of heroes? We all have them, people we look up to. People that make our world go round.

It’s a very small world. And once you realize that everyone you look up to started where you are now, then you’ll see that the opportunities to connect are endless.

Even the sky isn’t the limit and like anyone else, our heroes could use our help. We all go to work for the people we impact and the people who surround us. Thinking of your dream clients or partners will help you figure out where you’ll fit in best.

13) What is obvious to you?

There are a whole lot of problems in the world. And even all the training in the world couldn’t help some people figure out their problems.

However, there are also those problems that seem so obvious that it takes you seconds to figure out the answers to them. There’s really no such thing as common sense, you either know something or you don’t.

What are the most obvious problems that you face? And how do you feel about solving these problems on a grander scale? Anything can be monetized if done right. It’s a matter of ability and effort.

This post was all about the 13 Revealing questions you need to answer before you create your Self Development Plan.