Positive parenting, as we know it today, has its roots in several psychological and educational currents from the 20th century. This concept is heavily influenced by the works of psychologists like Alfred Adler and Rudolf Dreikurs, who emphasized the importance of encouragement, mutual respect, and cooperation in child-rearing. Their approach, known as "positive discipline," was developed in the United States during the 1920s and 1930s. Adler and Dreikurs proposed an alternative to authoritarian educational methods, focusing on fostering responsibility and autonomy in children while maintaining a clear and respectful framework.

In Europe, this approach was popularized by educators like Maria Montessori, whose educational philosophy is based on the idea that children should be treated with respect and encouraged to explore and learn at their own pace. Montessori's theories, combined with the works of Jean Piaget and Carl Rogers, contributed to the spread of the idea that empathy, active listening, and recognizing a child’s emotions are crucial for their development.

Positive parenting was also influenced by the children's rights movement, which gained momentum after World War II, with growing recognition that children have specific rights and must be protected from all forms of violence, including psychological violence. This movement was reinforced by the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, adopted in 1989, which emphasized children's right to be raised in a loving environment that respects their dignity.

Today, positive parenting is a global concept, adapted and promoted in many countries around the world, thanks to the influence of contemporary psychologists such as Jane Nelsen, who popularized positive discipline in the United States, and Catherine Gueguen, a French pediatrician who explored the effects of kindness on children’s brains. These authors, along with many other voices in the field of child psychology, continue to refine and disseminate the principles of positive parenting, adapting them to modern realities.

References

1. Jane Nelsen (1981). Positive Discipline. New York: Ballantine Books.
2. Alfred Adler (1930). The Science of Living. New York: Allen & Unwin.
3. Rudolf Dreikurs (1964). Children: The Challenge. New York: Dutton.
4. Maria Montessori (1949). The Absorbent Mind. New York: Holt, Rinehart, and Winston.
5. Catherine Gueguen (2015). Pour une enfance heureuse: Repenser l’éducation à la lumière des dernières découvertes sur le cerveau. Paris: Robert Laffont.
6. UNICEF (1989). Convention on the Rights of the Child.

The concept of "becoming yourself" has become an omnipresent mantra in modern culture, especially in the realms of personal development and pop psychology. It is presented as an essential quest for self-knowledge, as well as a path toward authenticity and personal fulfillment. But what does "becoming yourself" really mean? What is its significance? Is it a linear process, a fixed destination, or simply a comforting illusion?

This concept deserves to be critically explored.

The Quest for Authenticity: Myth or Reality?

The idea of becoming yourself is based on the assumption that there exists an "authentic" and deep self, a true essence hidden beneath the layers of our daily existence, shaped by society, the expectations of others, and our own fears. It’s as if you’re wearing a mask in society without even realizing it.

This notion is appealing, not only because it suggests you’re not responsible for supposedly missing out on this self for years, but also because it promises the possibility of freeing yourself from external constraints to reach a form of inner purity. You’re not responsible for missing out on it because, let’s be clear, this narrative isn’t aimed at teenagers!

But is this quest for authenticity really justified? Can we truly unearth a "true" self, unchanging, untouched by the outside world? A self that doesn’t evolve?

Existentialist philosophers like Jean-Paul Sartre argue that existence precedes essence. In other words, we are not born with a fixed identity; we build it through our choices and actions. From this perspective, becoming yourself wouldn’t be about rediscovering a lost essence but rather about creating your own identity at every moment. This raises an important question: if our "self" is constantly evolving, how can we talk about "becoming yourself" as a final destination?

I often address this issue, particularly when discussing personality-related challenges in making career choices: Do we always present the same image of ourselves to family, colleagues, or strangers we’ve just met? Of course not—many people don’t behave identically in different contexts, and most are fully aware of this.

Isn’t authenticity simply behaving spontaneously? Isn’t that the only real indicator for ourselves? After all, is anyone else truly capable of determining whether we are acting spontaneously?

The "Self" as a Social Construct

It is also crucial to recognize that our identity is, to a large extent, a social construct. Our values, beliefs, and even our desires are shaped by our upbringing, our experiences, and the environment in which we grow up. Thus, the quest for the "self" might be less about discovery and more about fabrication, influenced by cultural norms, family expectations, and the media. This realization could transform the quest for self into a critical reflection on the external influences that shape us, rather than a solitary inward search. And there’s plenty to reflect on…

In this context, becoming yourself could involve distancing yourself from these influences, cultivating the ability to question and consciously select them, and perhaps challenging beliefs as one of the tools, rather than passively absorbing them.

The Fluidity of the "Self"

Another fundamental aspect to consider, which I’ve introduced, is the fluidity of the "self." Contrary to the idea of an immutable core, our identity is dynamic and ever-changing. Every experience, every interaction, every influence alters our thoughts, norms, and habits. Think about how much your life partner might have changed you, for example. Therefore, "becoming yourself" should certainly be interpreted not as an endpoint but as a continuous process, a perpetual journey without a fixed destination. This aligns with the ideas of some contemporary psychologists who view identity as a flow rather than a stable entity.

In this view, seeking to become yourself would mean accepting this fluidity, this impermanence, and freeing yourself from the idea that there is a perfect and final version of ourselves to be attained. The "self" then becomes a work in constant evolution, where the focus is not on reaching a definitive definition, but on remaining open to transformation and adaptation.

The Danger of the Injunction to "Become Yourself"

Finally, it is important to question the injunction to "become yourself" as it is often presented in personal development. This injunction can create immense pressure, leading individuals to believe they must conform to a certain image of authenticity or personal success. This can lead to a form of inner tyranny, where one constantly feels inadequate, never truly "oneself."

Moreover, this quest can distract from the true ethical and existential questions that should guide our lives. Instead of asking, "Who am I really?", it might be more relevant to ask, "What can I do to live a good and just life?" and "What would be the effects, both for me and for those around me?" This perspective shifts the effort of constructing an identity toward action and engagement in the world.

Ah, personal development, that warm and welcoming space where everyone transforms into a devoted mentor, ready to help you achieve wisdom, and why not, the best version of yourself. One could almost believe that the entire world has suddenly agreed on one thing: it's high time to help you get there! But behind this façade of benevolence, could there be a hint of ironic contradiction, or perhaps a touch of subtly disguised manipulation?

The paradise of well-being

Imagine a world where every person you meet genuinely cares about your happiness. If this were the case outside the digital realm, wouldn't it be particularly unsettling? In this universe, life coaches, influencers, and personal development experts proliferate like mushrooms after the rain, each armed with their own mantras and precepts. "Learn resilience," "Eat healthy," "Meditate every morning," and, of course, the ever-present, multi-contextual use of the word "positive."

Even "positive sexuality" has become a concept—how necessary. All these tips and injunctions are offered to you with a disconcerting benevolence, as if your personal fulfillment were the only thing that mattered.

But at its core, what is this flood of well-intentioned advice? Is it truly a selfless quest for your well-being? Or is it a new form of social norm, subtly imposed by those who, under the guise of benevolence, seek to shape your thoughts, habits, and ultimately, your life, in exchange for status and, above all, remuneration that allows them to escape the rat race and work from wherever they want?

After all, there’s no better way to quit your job than by starting your own business in personal services, building an Instagram community around yourself and your universe, with daily advice, courses, and VIP content. Bonus: even without formal training, it’s possible, and you don’t have to worry about Qualiopi certification to sell it. Ultimately, personal development is above all the entrepreneur's paradise.

Benevolent knowledge: a new form of power?

Beneath the smooth surface of personal development lies a subtle game of power. Because yes, by telling you what’s good for you, by explaining how to be happy, to refocus, to find yourself, aren’t the well-being experts, in the most courteous way, exerting a certain form of control? After all, when someone tells you how to think, how to eat, how to act in this or that situation, and how to be, aren’t they subtly imposing a certain worldview?

A worldview filled with biases, beliefs, and preconceived ideas, formalized into commands.

Because you’ll notice that everything is always categorical; you are never presented with the pros and cons, the basis for these tips, the raw data, along with an invitation to question it all and form your own opinion. Encouraging you to think critically isn’t exactly a winning concept; the principle is that followers gather with those who think alike, so this thinking must be guided, it must have its own ideological identity.

"Be yourself," they say, but not too much. You must be yourself... according to their rules. And that’s where the subtlety lies. Personal development doesn’t just give you advice on how to live better according to certain principles; it offers you a neatly packaged version of what life, your life, should be.

The injunction to happiness

This modern chimera that everyone wants to achieve is happiness. For it to become such a widespread obsession, things must really be bad. And if you ever forget that it’s the goal, you’ll be reminded, presented with a neatly circumscribed form of it, and then you’ll have no choice but to compare it with your own considerations or your life, to start evaluating it, possibly leading to some changes. It’s quite a simple mechanism, really.

"You must be happy!" And you must know what it is, be able to identify it, or you might miss it. Happiness has become the ultimate luxury, even though luxury doesn’t lead to it. Personal development then becomes a series of commands: be this, do that, and of course, be spontaneous, be radiant, be natural, but above all, don’t be who you naturally are if it doesn’t fit the standards of happiness or the best version of yourself that is being imposed on you, while letting a nebulous ambiguity linger, because all of this also fits into a context of inclusion, with unique individualities and differences. But what remains for everyone is that you must find your inner path, your true self.

I also recall a time when the trend was: "Don’t change anything, just stay as you are."

Didn’t understand the last paragraph? Neither did I, and yet I wrote it. Perhaps that’s normal—sometimes it’s so contradictory that there’s no logical understanding to be found. The ambiguity and incomprehension of fluctuating concepts are the art of divination; they allow everyone to understand what they want and, above all, to remain in need of these little words that will regularly provide a fragment of reflection on oneself, on life, on relationships, between two episodes of the latest series.

A unique individuality is great, finding oneself, accepting oneself, not changing a thing, becoming better—but isn’t it adaptation that primarily drives evolution? Do all these commands align with adaptation?

Can one truly be oneself when the steps to get there are dictated to you? This obsession with happiness, this imperative of well-being—could it not, ultimately, be a new form of constraint, disguised as benevolent advice?

Yet deep down…

Perhaps true well-being doesn’t lie in this frantic race to become better, happier, more fulfilled? Maybe the key is to accept oneself as one is, with flaws, imperfections, and above all, the inalienable right not to be constantly in pursuit of something better?

Because this consumer society pushes us to always want more, always better, immediately.

All this content can and should make you think, but always use your critical thinking, and take it as avenues to explore further.

And what if, instead of following all this advice, you simply decided not to follow it? What if you chose to live at your own pace, on your own terms, without worrying about what others think is good for you? Perhaps true wisdom lies in this simple rebellion, in this polite but firm refusal to be told how to live, even by those who, of course, want the best for you.

Let’s not forget that the freedom to think, to live as one wishes, and even not to be perfect, is a social and anthropological given.

This syndrome refers to a psychological condition in which a person believes they possess absolute abilities or power, often in an unrealistic or exaggerated manner. This illusion of omnipotence can manifest in various forms, such as an excessive belief in one's ability to control events, other people, or even one's own destiny, without acknowledging the real limits or constraints imposed by reality. It is especially reflected in the individual's perception of the power they have over others, particularly those they are helping or advising.

Characteristics of Omnipotence Syndrome

1. Overestimation of Abilities: A person with this syndrome may believe they are capable of succeeding in everything they undertake, without recognizing the real difficulties or risks involved.
2. Disinhibition of Actions: This belief in one's own omnipotence can lead to risky behaviors or impulsive decision-making, as the person may think they are invulnerable or always able to manage the consequences.
3. Ignorance of Limits: Individuals with this syndrome often have difficulty recognizing their own limits or those of others, which can lead them to impose their will excessively.
4. Disconnection from Reality: Omnipotence syndrome is often associated with a form of denial or distortion of reality, where the person minimizes or ignores obstacles and opposing opinions.

This syndrome can appear in various contexts, particularly among leaders or individuals in positions of power, including those in helping professions. It can also manifest in pathological contexts, such as in certain personality disorders (for example, narcissistic personality disorder) or in manic episodes of bipolar disorder, though this is not the focus of this post.

Omnipotence syndrome can have harmful consequences, both for the individual and for those around them. It can lead to reckless decisions, personal exhaustion, interpersonal conflicts, and in the long term, a loss of self-confidence when real limits inevitably surface. Most importantly, it can result in an excessive influence over the person one is supposed to be helping and supporting.

Personal development, as a discipline aimed at improving quality of life and achieving individual fulfillment, is a rapidly growing field today. As this domain expands, the role of the "knower" becomes central, manifesting through the posture of the one who offers advice and guides others. This posture is intrinsically linked to a dynamic of knowledge and power that affirms, in perceptions, the status of the advisor as an authoritative figure.
When someone gives advice, they implicitly position themselves as an authority or expert in a specific field. This posture is based on the idea that the advisor possesses superior knowledge or deep experience that legitimizes their right to guide others. By offering advice, the individual not only reinforces their image as a competent and informed person but also establishes a power dynamic where the other, the one receiving the advice, is perceived as needing guidance and support. This asymmetry reinforces the perception of the advisor as the "subject supposed to know," a psychoanalytic concept introduced by Lacan, a guide whose words must be followed to achieve a certain level of success or well-being. This dynamic can also feed the advisor’s ego, providing social and personal validation of their competence and status. In this sense, the role of the advisor is not just an act of helping but also an affirmation of self within the social fabric.
When someone positions themselves as a counselor or guide in personal development, they generally do so based on presumed superior knowledge or deep experience. This knowledge, whether academic, experiential, or acquired through specific training, potentially legitimizes the advisor’s right to guide others, without their competence being truly questioned. By offering advice, the knower does not merely share information; they create a power dynamic where they are perceived as a reliable source of wisdom and expertise. This perception is crucial because it establishes an asymmetry between the one who knows and the one who learns, thereby consolidating their status as an "expert."
The one receiving the advice is seen as seeking support, trying to fill a gap or solve a personal problem, searching for certain answers. In this context, the knower presents themselves as a source of solutions. This relationship reinforces the role of the knower, who then becomes an authority to follow, whose ideas carry meaning and can assist in daily life.
The act of giving advice is not neutral; it also reinforces the knower’s self-image. In coaching training, this is referred to as the "syndrome of omnipotence," and I have written an article on this topic to which I refer you for a better understanding, as I cannot delve into it fully each time!
As an advisor, the individual receives social and personal validation of their competence and status. Every piece of advice given, every direction provided, feeds their ego, reinforcing the idea that they are a competent person worthy of being listened to. This validation is twofold: on one hand, it comes from the recognition of others, and on the other, it nurtures the knower’s self-esteem, who sees their role confirmed by the respect and attention of those they guide.
In the context of personal development, the posture of the knower becomes essential not only to establish a relationship of trust with learners but also to ensure the effectiveness of the guidance and the creation of a group united around an ideology and a person. This is the concept of followers. Without this posture of knowledge, the advisor’s credibility is called into question, and the impact of their advice can be greatly diminished. Moreover, in a field where results are often subjective and difficult to measure, the knower must constantly reaffirm their status to maintain their influence and justify their role. This need for legitimacy drives the knower to adopt a posture that is both protective of their authority and essential to the success of their enterprise.
In this sense, the posture of the knower is not only a functional necessity in the context of personal development and its commercial strategy for the survival of their business but also an affirmation of self within the social fabric, essential for maintaining the effectiveness and credibility of their role.

Ah, personal development, that vast ocean where everyone can navigate in search of the best version of themselves in a world where anything is possible and where everyone wants the best for you. I invite you to quickly browse my basic article on personal development: “Personal Development: The World of Well-Being, Right Thinking, and Right Doing.”

But behind these benevolent advice, evocative quotes, snippets of thoughts, theories, life manuals, and omniscient coaches or influencers, is there not a tendency to dictate how others should conduct their lives? It’s a question worth exploring.

The origin of the human tendency to dictate others' conduct is rooted in a logic of domination and operates through deeply ingrained psychological mechanisms from our social evolution. Humans, as a social species, have always lived in groups where survival depended on cohesion and order. In these contexts, the need to maintain a stable social structure naturally led some individuals to take on leadership roles, establishing rules and norms to guide group behavior. This dynamic has been reinforced by other psychological mechanisms such as conformity, where individuals are encouraged to conform to group expectations to avoid exclusion, and the need for control, where dictating others' conduct helps reduce uncertainty and enhance personal security. Furthermore, the tendency to project one's own values and beliefs onto others, a phenomenon known as egocentric bias, pushes individuals to believe that their view of the world is not only correct but should be adopted by everyone. These combined mechanisms contribute to a behavior where individuals, often unconsciously, seek to influence or direct others' conduct to create a more predictable environment aligned with their own values. However, when it comes to developing a service business in the personal development world and the desire to grow an online presence and increase followers to ensure revenue, the mechanism at work is more conscious. It is also linked to the desire to appear as a "knower" and to build an authoritative figure with a target audience.

A Guide to the Light... or a Well-Being Dictatorship?

Personal development often presents itself as a beacon in the night, a light guiding lost individuals toward the shores of fulfillment and self-awareness. Who could resist the promises of happiness, success, and serenity? Yet, upon closer inspection, the discourse underlying this quest for betterment sometimes resembles a manual of conduct, where every behavior is standardized, every step defined, every decision directed.

Books, articles, videos—all overflow with advice on what to do, what not to do, how to do it, why to do it, and most importantly, when to do it. "Wake up at 5 AM," "Eat organic and vegan," "Take cold baths," along with a host of injunctions: "Be resilient," "Be true to yourself," "Be authentic," etc. All sometimes wrapped in zen-like quotes such as, “The path of resilience is strewn with obstacles, but you will find the strength within yourself to overcome them.” And if you fail to follow this quasi-military protocol? Too bad, you will never be that superior version of yourself promised at the end of chapter three, and you’ll need to sign up for the VIP training to finally get there. It's well-oiled, always the same system. The worst part is that in the ambient noise, it might be the only remedy.

The Modern Guru: A Sage or a Despot?

The life coach, now an unavoidable figure, often positions themselves as a guide, a mentor. Attentive, they reassure you, accompany you, show you the way… which, of course, is their way. And so, they explain how to flourish out of any context, without knowing your personality, in a generalized way, as if life were just an equation to be solved, the same for everyone, with happiness as the sole and universal solution. Yet studies from Harvard have identified two common points to happiness that almost no one talks about: having a goal and feeling like you are making progress toward achieving it, which I have already discussed in my books. It is the only scientific data available on the subject to my knowledge.

Is there not something slightly despotic about this approach? A soft dictatorship, certainly, but a dictatorship nonetheless. By constantly repeating that meditation is essential, that positive thinking is the key to all success, doesn’t it end up imposing a standard of conduct, a single model of a successful life? Only one way of doing things right?

Free Will Put to the Test

What’s paradoxical is that personal development often presents itself as a celebration of free will, individual freedom, critical thinking even, and autonomy. You are encouraged to be yourself, to follow your own path, all while being given a list of directives that must be followed to achieve it. It's a bit like being told: "Be happy! But above all, be happy as I see fit."

If it were said to you that way, I’m sure it wouldn’t have the same effect.

Free will, in this context, becomes a mirage. Because in reality, what is offered is a series of well-framed choices, validated by so-called well-being experts.

The Tyranny of the Best Version of Yourself

The injunction to become a better version of yourself is omnipresent and certainly deserves a paragraph of its own. It is no longer enough to be good, to be intelligent, to be talented, to have values, to be in tune with your emotions—no, you must be better. But better according to whom? According to what? And for what purpose? This relentless quest for self-improvement increasingly resembles a never-ending race, where the finish line moves further away as you approach it.

Because all this is quite unreal, quite subjective.

And if, in the end, this pressure for constant optimization was just another form of social control, disguised as a personal quest? A way to normalize behaviors, to smooth out individualities in the name of standardized well-being.

Perhaps it is time to question this obsession with personal development as it is currently proposed. To reintegrate the human being in all their diversity of thought and approaches, shaped by their upbringing and natural evaluation, rather than being dictated by preformatted and generalized life manuals. Why not rediscover the pleasure of the very nature of being human, with all its inconsistencies, however irritating they may be to others, its imperfections, its trial and error? Well-being may not be a destination to be reached, but a path to be traced by oneself, a life goal defined by each individual, with its detours, its pauses, and, why not, its missteps.

And perhaps true wisdom lies in accepting who we are, here and now, without striving at all costs to become someone else? After all, life is short enough not to waste time following others' injunctions, even those that claim to have our best interests at heart, leading us to happiness.

Here is an exhaustive list of themes and services commonly offered in the field of personal development. This list provides a broad overview of the themes and services available in the realm of personal development, addressing a variety of needs and goals for those seeking to improve their quality of life, grow personally, or find balance across different spheres of their existence.

On the one hand, it allows many people to better listen to themselves and rediscover what modern society has suppressed within us, something that ensured our survival for thousands of years: intuition. On the other hand, it becomes dogmatic, with a set of precepts that must be followed because they are deemed good for us. It’s softer than psychology, which still carries too many connotations that give the perception of having psychological problems. No, personal development is about the desire to be more human, to improve emotional intelligence, and much more. In recent years, this field has established itself as a modern compass for those seeking wisdom, well-being, or simply finding themselves in this chaotic world.

This is primarily intended to raise awareness of the scale of this phenomenon and will serve as the basis for some specific articles on the topic of personal development.

Themes in Personal Development

1. Personal Growth
• Self-discovery
• Confidence building
• Time management
• Self-discipline
• Self-esteem
• Decision-making
• Habit management
• Personal motivation
• Talent and skill development
• Resilience and adaptation
2. Mental and Emotional Health
• Stress management
• Emotion management
• Work-life balance
• Relaxation and meditation techniques
• Mindfulness
• Anxiety and depression treatment
• Mental health improvement
• Emotional healing
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Enhancing positivity
3. Interpersonal Relationships
• Effective communication
• Social skills
• Family and friendship relationships
• Enhancing romantic relationships
• Conflict management
• Active listening
• Emotional intelligence development
• Negotiation and persuasion
• Healthy interpersonal relationships
• Social and professional networking
4. Career and Professional Life
• Career development
• Leadership and management
• Productivity and time management
• Skills assessment
• Career transition
• Entrepreneurship
• Professional coaching
• Public speaking
• Salary negotiation
• Personal branding and networking
5. Physical Health and Well-Being
• Nutrition and healthy eating
• Fitness programs
• Yoga and mind-body practices
• Sleep and recovery
• Weight management
• Energy and vitality improvement
• Healthy lifestyle habits
• Disease prevention
• Body awareness development
• Holistic well-being practices
6. Spirituality and Life Purpose
• Finding meaning and purpose
• Spirituality and religious practice
• Spiritual awareness development
• Meditation and contemplation
• Exploring life philosophies
• Alternative spiritual practices (Reiki, chakras, etc.)
• Connecting with nature
• Spiritual retreats
• Guided prayer and meditation
• Faith and spiritual resilience development
7. Financial Education and Abundance
• Personal financial management
• Financial planning and budgeting
• Investing and saving
• Wealth development
• Law of attraction and abundance
• Developing a prosperity mindset
• Debt elimination
• Creating multiple income streams
• Retirement planning
• Investment advice
8. Creativity and Self-Expression
• Creativity development
• Artistic expression (writing, painting, music, etc.)
• Creative thinking and innovation
• Performing arts (theater, dance, etc.)
• Journaling and reflective writing
• Exploring passions and hobbies
• Creative project development
• Art therapy
• Life design
• Personal project realization
9. Goals and Achievement
• Goal setting and achievement
• Success strategies
• Long-term life planning
• Personal vision development
• SMART goals (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timely)
• Personal project management
• NLP (Neuro-Linguistic Programming)
• Visualization and positive affirmations
• Dream realization
• Productivity techniques

Services in Personal Development

1. Individual Coaching
• Life coaching
• Career coaching
• Relationship coaching
• Health and wellness coaching
• Executive and leadership coaching
• Performance coaching
• Stress management coaching
• Entrepreneur coaching
• Spiritual coaching
• Transition coaching (life, professional)
2. Workshops and Seminars
• Personal growth workshops
• Stress management seminars
• Meditation and wellness retreats
• Communication workshops
• Career development seminars
• Emotional intelligence workshops
• Work-life balance seminars
• Group sessions for creativity development
• Spiritual development retreats
• Intensive personal transformation programs
3. Therapies and Counseling
• Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
• Couples counseling
• Family counseling
• Mindfulness-based therapy
• Holistic therapy
• Art therapy
• Movement therapy (dance, yoga)
• Analytical psychotherapy
• Career counseling
• Music therapy
4. Online Programs and Resources
• Online personal development courses
• Webinars and interactive training
• Online coaching programs
• E-books and practical guides
• Personal development podcasts
• Meditation and wellness apps
• Online support communities
• Virtual mentoring programs
• Blogs and newsletters
• Motivational videos and TED Talks
5. Personal Development Tools and Techniques
• Guided meditation
• Relaxation and breathing techniques
• Mindfulness exercises
• Creative visualization
• Positive affirmations
• Journaling and reflective writing
• Gratitude exercises
• Time management techniques (Pomodoro, To-Do lists)
• Emotion management techniques
• Goal planning exercises
6. Alternative and Holistic Practices
• Reiki and energy healing
• Yoga and mind-body practices
• Ayurveda and traditional medicine
• Transcendental meditation
• Hypnotherapy
• Chakra alignment and energy work
• Shamanic practices
• Aromatherapy and essential oils
• Sophrology
• Biofeedback
7. Personalized Services
• Personalized coaching
• Custom wellness plans
• Personalized financial advice
• Custom nutrition and fitness programs
• Life transition support
• Personality analysis (MBTI, Enneagram, etc.)
• Organization and productivity advice
• Support for writing a book or creative project
• Lifestyle advice (minimalism, slow living)
• Progress tracking and individual adjustments

I leave it to each reader to interpret and reflect on this broad overview.

A 40-year longitudinal study conducted by Lubinski, Benbow, and Kell revealed that gifted men and women define and perceive success differently. Gifted men tend to place greater emphasis on their careers and professional achievements, while gifted women focus more on balancing professional and personal life, valuing both family and career success equally.

Despite these differences, both sexes report a similar level of life satisfaction, suggesting that each finds meaning and contentment in the areas they value most. This study highlights the importance of personal choices and flexibility in defining success for gifted individuals.

Career choices and occupation are inseparable from such a context.

References

1. Vanderbilt University. "Gifted men and women define success differently, 40-year study finds." ScienceDaily. November 19, 2014. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2014/11/141119101700.htm