Prioritise personal growth and financial stability

In a world at times pushing and coercing us to pursue success at every full speed, it is so easy to forget that personal growth and financial stability are the critical ingredients of a balanced and fullest life. A balance of both elements enables us not only to thrive but also to sustain the life we envision for ourselves and our families. While personal growth nurtures our sense of self and enriches the quality of our lives, financial stability ensures that our growing process is one that is supported and continuous.

The interplay between personal growth and financial stability 

Personal growth and financial stability have often been spoken of as two separate pursuits, even though they are inextricably linked. For one, financial struggles absolutely impede personal development, and vice versa; thus, personal growth could also give rise to greater financial success. Give importance to both, and you have the synergy that helps you live a life of purpose with stability.

As Indian philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti so aptly said, “It is no measure of health to be well adjusted to a profoundly sick society.” What he meant was, in the rush for material success, many forget to nurture their inner growth – which is essential to have a really healthy life.

Personal Growth: The Bedrock of a Meaningful Existence Personal growth covers the broad aspects of self-improvement, introspection, and learning as a process that is ongoing. It is about opening up one’s horizons through increasing emotional intelligence, acquiring new skills, or even enhancing physical and mental health. As Mahatma Gandhi has said, “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” The spirit of personal growth can hardly find a better expression than in this quote. However short life might be, our capacities for discarding old habits and learning new things from it are unlimited.

Take a cue from APJ Abdul Kalam: India’s “people’s President” and one of the country’s most accomplished scientists, Kalam fought his way through most of his childhood. Economic insecurity being one such feature, he didn’t stop learning. His devotion to personal growth—intellectual and spiritual—saw him rise to the highest office in the land and inspired hundreds of millions. A fine example of how it doesn’t matter whether one’s wallet is full or not; what matters is how much one believes in personal growth.

Financial Stability: A Pillar of Security and Freedom 

While personal growth fuels your inner fulfilment, financial stability provides the external support needed to create sustainability. During times of economic volatility, financial stability acts like that safety net—one where you can confidently continue in pursuit of your passions without always having to worry about monetary stress.

Warren Buffet, one of the most successful investors in this world, said once, “Do not save what is left after spending, but spend what is left after saving.” The base for long-term stability is to be found through financial discipline and smart saving. Without financial securities, even the most ambitious people are restricted by the need to deal with immediate, urgent problems rather than focus on long-term growth.

The reason being, as ‘Lakshmi’ or the goddess of wealth is worshipped in Indian ethos, not only for material prosperity but also stability in the house, the principle of a balanced approach towards accumulation of wealth coupled with wisdom in personal growth befits the traditional Indian ethos and values of material and spiritual success.

The Balance: How Personal Growth Pays Financial Dividends 

Personal development and money do not have to sit on opposite sides. In fact, one feeds the other rather often. Learning new things, staying curious, and investing in your development may, in turn, help your financial life. Such focus on learning and self-improvement will make you adaptable and innovative in your career, hence opening possibilities for higher income. Take the case of Indra Nooyi, former CEO of PepsiCo. She continued to attribute her success to the lifelong habit of learning and self-improvement. Coming from a very conservative Indian family, she was able to pursue higher education in the United States and never stopped challenging herself for personal and professional growth. Her story is particularly a good illustration of how personal growth could lead to a state of financial and professional success.

On the other hand, financial stability affords space-managing personal growth. You have bandwidth to explore your passions, hobbies, and also focus on your personal development goals when you are not struggling to meet even your basic needs.

A Parable on Balance Perhaps one of the most well-known parables reflecting a balance between personal growth and financial stability is the story of the “Golden Goose.” In this story, it tells the tale of a farmer with a goose that lays golden eggs, thus providing him with wealth. For his greed to get more gold quicker, he kills the goose to find no more gold inside. This story reminds us that hurrying up to get rich quick, without nurturing the source—be it your health, personal growth, or well-being—is a loss in the long run.

Conclusion: The journey is holistic 

Growth, on both personal and financial scales, requires patience and discipline and a clear understanding of your values. In growth, you develop a living, extending your capacity, making you resilient to life’s challenges. In financial stability, you give yourself the security to venture into new opportunities without fear. Keep in mind, as you go about life’s lessons, that now and always, “Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful,” according to Albert Schweitzer. And further, that success is best built on a foundation of balanced personal growth along with financial stability.

Join our Financial Freedom for Doctors program and learn how to create a resilient financial future, one that doesn’t just rely on your day-to-day practice.

Date: 24 November 2024.
Time: 10.00 am – 01.00 am
Location: Online on ZOOM Platform
Registration Fee: 1,180/-
Register here: https://rzp.io/l/FinFreedom.

Dr. Prahlada N.B
MBBS (JJMMC), MS (PGIMER, Chandigarh). 
MBA (BITS, Pilani), MHA, 
Executive Programme in Strategic Management (IIM, Lucknow)
Senior Management Programme in Healthcare Management (IIM, Kozhikode)
Postgraduate Certificate in Technology Leadership and Innovation (MIT, USA)
Advanced Certificate in AI for Digital Health and Imaging Program (IISc, Bengaluru). 

Senior Professor and former Head, 
Department of ENT-Head & Neck Surgery, Skull Base Surgery, Cochlear Implant Surgery. 
Basaveshwara Medical College & Hospital, Chitradurga, Karnataka, India. 

My Vision: I don’t want to be a genius.  I want to be a person with a bundle of experience. 

My Mission: Help others achieve their life’s objectives in my presence or absence!

My Values:  Creating value for others.