Personal development can be stressful, since it presents many challenges as you're looking to change old habits. Try to minimize stress in your life during this period. Minimizing stress can prevent overreacting to stressors. This will make every obstacle more likely to be an eventual success, since overreacting makes us more susceptible to missteps.
Regardless of where you may find yourself on your quest of transforming into the person you strive to be in terms of your attitudes, behaviors, goals and emotions, remember that you need to continually step outside of your comfort zone. By stepping out of your comfort zone, you are growing as a person and taking risks which will ultimately bring about new experiences important to your success.
Establish a rainy day fund. Many people think that a credit card counts as an emergency fund. Set aside a certain amount from each check for an emergency fund. It doesn't have to be a great deal of money, but be consistent. That fund can help us both in the short term and in the long term as our debt decreases instead of grows.
Rather than bragging to others about all of your accomplishments, instead ask people about theirs. Respectful listening to the successes of others can help you to gain insight into your own inner life as well as allowing you to connect with others in a meaningful way.
Determine why you engage in negative activities. Do you smoke because you feel the need to do something with your hands when in an uncomfortable situation or because you need the nicotine high? Do you eat too much because you are bored or lonely? Determine the reason for these behaviors and you are more likely to successfully address them.
Keep your sense of humor in all situations. If you find that there is far too much stress and negativity in your life, do what you can to find the humor in the situation. Humor is a fast and effective way to reduce stress and dislodge fear. Laugh your troubles away.