Personal development is the deepest drive in human life. In adulthood, when natures’ and parental gifts are completed, personal development takes place only through individual choice and initiative. Sustainable personal development starts from taking one’s normal life as a spiritual exercise, living it with a higher ethical standard. In 1904, Rudolf Steiner outlined seven basic conditions for sustainable initiatory personal development1. In this article, the focus is on the 5th condition‐The commitment to making conscious decisions and to act on these decisions.

In the previous articles on the topic I described the 7 conditions for sustainable human development as the practical wisdom required for conscious evolution, for taking personal responsibility for one’s own personal, professional, spiritual and social development. Together the 7 conditions make one whole process of sustainable development. Yet each one of them is a personal developmental process on its own. The 7 conditions are

Evolution is in our human hands these days. It happens if we choose to do it. Awakening to our inner life is the forward progress. Everything positive in our life depends on such an awakening, and yet, it can only take place in complete freedom of choice. Such an awakening, to be sustainable and beneficial for our lives – requires the right conditions.

Human development is unstoppable. Since we first stood up on our two feet and freed our hands for expression, relationship and work – we have never stopped changing and developing. The history of our civilization is a record of constant change. Like it or not – change and development is as natural to our species as breathing, eating, thinking, walking and talking.

Work is where most of us spend most of our lives. We give our work our most precious time on Earth: the best years of our lives, the best part of most of our days, most of our energy, creativity, vitality, mental and emotional space. Most people know their work colleagues and spend more quality time with them than with their own family at home.