A really great way to begin personal development is by enhancing your quality of life. Quality of life is very broad and is actually based on healthy ways to be happier. If your living room is looking drab and bringing you down, then paint it an uplifting color and hang some new curtains. Now, every time you walk into that room, you will feel happier, hence, enhancing quality of life!
Keep chugging along. We've all heard of the little train that thought it could and of the tortoise that beat the hare in the race. Constantly working towards achieving a goal will eventually get us there. We just have to keep chugging or perhaps even crawling along and we will ultimately, reach our destination.
For many people, retreating from a conflict is the standard response. Unfortunately, this habit does nothing to resolve the problem or prevent similar issues in the future. Try to practice keeping yourself in the conflict while continuing to engage the other party with questions that can help to resolve the problem. Unlike simply retreating and giving someone the famous "cold shoulder", this approach forces you to work through your concerns and avoid creating further resentment.
If you want to properly develop your personal side, it is very important to be reflective. One simple habit that you can do is to practice talking to yourself and listening to yourself as well. I heard it stated once that it is good to pray but as you pray it is better to reflect on it as well.
Posture is important to personal development. Proper posture can make you appear more confident, even if you are not. Learn how to not slump forward while sitting and standing. Posture is also important to your overall health and good posture should be practiced everyday. If you find yourself slipping, chant to yourself "shoulders back, chest out" to remind yourself to walk, stand and sit with good posture.
By taking the time to identify your principles, not just those that society expect, but those which you personally hold dear, you can act in accordance with those principles. You can not truly be a principled person, unless you have identified those principles by which you live.
Understand that you can not truly love anyone else until you love yourself. if you do not love yourself and hold yourself in high regard how can you expect anyone else to do that. Love yourself fully and without abandon and you will find that people treat you much better.
There are so many things that can enhance quality of life. If you are lonely a pet might help or you could even go to a coffee shop and strike up a conversation with a friendly looking stranger. If you feel sad or bad about yourself, go to counseling or to a friend, so that you can talk about your feelings. The list goes on and on, and there is simply no excuse not to work towards a better life.