Personal development or self improvement consists of activities that develop a person's capabilities and potential, build human capital, facilitate employability, and enhance quality of life and the realization of dreams and aspirations. Personal development may take place over the course of an individual's entire lifespan and is not limited to one stage of a person's life.

Personal development is a heterogeneous set of practices, belonging to various schools of thought, which aim at improving self-knowledge, enhancing talents and potentials, improving the quality of life, realizing one's aspirations and dreams.