Best Personal Development Courses Online

17 best personal development courses online for individual success.

Making it a lifelong pursuit to continuously increase your own value through education has been proven to yield big returns for the investment you make. This pursuit is encapsulated perfectly in two words: Personal Development. The more you level yourself up, the greater your contribution to the world.

That greater contribution benefits both the recipient and the giver. So, here’s a roundup of 18 of the best personal development courses online that could be pivotal on your journey to steadily improve yourself. You may find one here that can help you change your life.

Overview

Dave Martin perfectly describes the why of personal development when he said “growth today brings success tomorrow.” Whatever is happening in your life right now is a result of choices you have already made, steps you have taken, or something you have neglected.

You are what you did – For example, if you are obese at the moment, that’s due to the dietary choices you made 3-6 months ago. You may currently be making different, healthier dietary choices, but you won’t see results until some point in the future.

Take control – Personal growth and thus self-development courses can help improve your quality of life for the future. Here are some ways you can achieve this:

• Learning new things or increasing knowledge in specific areas,
• Targeting bad habits and forming more positive ones,
• Increasing productivity and improving time management, 
• Improving memory, visualization, leadership and common life skills
• Qualifying for a new job, career or entrepreneurial endeavor, and
• Changing your worldview.

Two strategies – Overall, if you dedicate yourself to consistent personal improvement, you give yourself a chance to become a better version of yourself. There are two ways you can go about personal development. You can either go all-in on your strengths, taking steps to develop your strongest skills further, or you can target weak areas.

Strengths – Generally, the most successful people in their fields focus on and invest heavily in their personal development skills. That is how they become the best. That said, if you are weak in some fundamental areas, you can improve those to an acceptable level of proficiency so they cease to be hindrances.

Best Personal Development Courses Online

Mindvalley	MasterClass	Udemy	Skillshare
from $33/month	from $120/year	from $19.99/course	from $99/year
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*Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. Read the full disclosure at the end of this post.

Note: This list provides an overview of some of the best self-improvement courses online. While comprehensive, it’s not exhaustive, as countless other valuable classes exist.

1. Be Extraordinary – Mindvalley

Taught by Vishen Lakhiani, the founder of Mindvalley, Be Extraordinary (visit website) is a widely acclaimed mind enhancement and personal development course, with over 2.5 million students enrolled. It’s ideal for anyone seeking to build a strong foundation for personal and professional success while exploring effective strategies for growth.

Be Extraordinary is perfect for personal growth enthusiasts who feel like they’re just shy of reaching their full potential. This self-development course guides you toward the next level of success and fulfillment by helping you shift and evolve the level of consciousness you operate from every day.

In this 30-day program, each day focuses on mastering a specific element of the three stages of peak performance. Participants will also gain 18 powerful tools designed to help them upgrade their inner programming and unlock their full potential.

From the foundations of consciousness to the essence of human existence, this course delves into intuition, bending reality, and embracing your true calling. It stands out as one of the best for unlocking deeper self-awareness and fostering personal growth.

Platform: Mindvalley | Instructor: Vishen Lakhiani | Training: 8.5 Hours
Price: $49/month or $399 annually. Access to all classes.
Info: View course page. Discount on Mindvalley Membership? View website for details.

2. Become a SuperLearner – Udemy

Superlearner (visit website) is among the best online courses for those who want to read faster and improve their memory performance. Instructors Jonathan Levi, and Lev, and Anna Goldentouch will arm you with the skills used by “the world’s fastest readers and memory record holders”.

They will give you memory techniques to help you retain and recall a great deal of information with speed and accuracy, as well as develop “the cognitive infrastructure” you will need to handle the deluge of new things you will now have the capacity to learn.

If nothing else, this course will help you become a better, more efficient student. This could be handy in careers that require continuing education and lots of reading, such as teaching and research. Those who have taken the course have said good information was abundant and it helped them to better understand why they had challenges in learning.

This popular personal growth course is packed with exercises and tips to actually ingrain what you learn. However, it also requires individual initiative to achieve great results here.

Instructor: Jonathan Levi | Level: All levels | Video Lectures: 5.5 hours
Price: from $19.99 | User Rating: 4.5 ★★★★☆
Info: Visit website. Up to 75% off. Browse category on Udemy.

3. Chris Voss Teaches the Art of Negotiation – MasterClass

Former FBI hostage negotiator Chris Voss has perfected the art of negotiation. From persuading criminals and terrorists to see beyond their own perspectives, his skills have been tested in the highest-stakes situations. Now, through his MasterClass (visit website), Chris shares his proven, step-by-step methods for mastering effective negotiation.

Negotiation is a skill that touches nearly every aspect of life, whether it’s advancing your career, improving services, or strengthening relationships. What Chris Voss offers are practical, “field-tested strategies for everyday negotiations” that can make a tangible difference, no matter your goals.

Chris dives deep into the science of communication, teaching you to read body language and leverage neuroscience to influence outcomes. You’ll learn techniques like mirroring language to build rapport and creating the illusion that your ideas align seamlessly with someone else’s, making them feel like they’re leading the conversation.

This course covers essential negotiation concepts, including tactical empathy, labeling, master delivery, and understanding the power of “No.” You’ll also explore how to create the illusion of control, bend perspectives, and bargain effectively. Through a hands-on practical exercise, you’ll put these skills into action and see immediate results in your life and job.

Instructor: Chris Voss, MasterClass | For: All levels
Price: from $10/month or $120/year. Access to all 200+ courses.
Info: View course page. Compare pricing plans and browse all online classes.

4. The Silva Ultramind System – Mindvalley 

The Silva Ultramind System (visit website) on Mindvalley is a transformative 12-hour training program designed to unlock your mind’s full potential. Offered in seven languages, this course helps learners manifest their goals faster by tapping into their innate mental power.

This program teaches you how to access the altered states of consciousness we are all born with but rarely learn to harness. Rooted in the groundbreaking mind technique pioneered by Jose Silva in the 1960s, the Silva Ultramind System has empowered over 6 million students across 110 countries.

During the class, aspiring mind-whizzes will learn about the four states of consciousness our mind operates in: the beta level, the alpha level, the theta level, and the delta level.

After learning about the Ultramind foundations, you will discover how to access your mind’s complete intuitive abilities. A follow-up module, Attaining your Soul Desire and Healing, will then help you control the theta states of consciousness. The final section focuses on integrating your Ultramind abilities into everyday life.

From implementing goal-driven strategies to practicing mindfulness, this personal development course offers practical tools to access your mind’s true potential. If you’re ready to transform your mental capabilities and achieve your aspirations, this course is a perfect fit.

With: José Silva, Vishen Lakhiani | Languages: 7 | Training: 12 Hours
Price: $49/month. $399/year. Access to all online courses on Mindvalley.
Info: View course page. Discount on Mindvalley Membership? View website for details.

5. Unlocking Your Potential – Skillshare

If you recognize the pain of self-doubt, fear of failure (or success) or self-sabotage, this course (visit website) could help you out. Author and podcast host Emma Gannon has been there, and she will teach you what she learned that helped her overcome those problems. Ms. Gannon offers learners “5 exercises to build creative confidence”.

She guides you in uncovering patterns and habits that hold you back, clarifying your true goals, and silencing negative self-talk. If you’re stuck on a creative project—whether it’s writing a book or launching a business—this course offers tools and inspiration to help you move forward.

Reviews highlight the course’s actionable steps for breaking out of creative ruts. Many found Ms. Gannon’s approach motivating and practical, making it one of the standout personal development courses on Skillshare. From my perspective, it’s a must-try for anyone looking to reignite their creativity and push past barriers.

Instructor: Emma Gannon | Level: All | Lectures: 8
Info: View course page. Browse full category.
Price: $15/month or $99/year. Get 30% Off Premium and access all classes.

6. Designing Your Life – CreativeLive

Instructors Bill Burnett and Dave Evans will show you “how to build a well-lived life”. In this unique approach to self-development, you will learn to apply design principles to making big life decisions. Both tutors are Stanford University professors and they bring you this class based on their eponymous #1 New York Times bestselling book.

In one of the first lectures, they give you an overview of design thinking. In subsequent video lectures, they help you examine the story of your life to this point, show you how to shift your perspective, align your views on life and work, and target dysfunction.

Reviewers often praise this course as one of the best personal growth courses available online. Many found it to be an excellent supplement to the book, providing valuable insights and practical information. However, some noted that the course could include more guidance on implementing the ideas it presents.

One student said that it was not an ideal course for “creatives”, as it focused more on getting a job. If you feel the need to make some fundamental changes to yourself to land a job or start a new career or business, Designing Your Life is the right class for you.

Provider: CreativeLive | Instructor: Bill Burnett, Dave Evans
Level: All levels | Time: 4.5 hours
Info: $149/year or 39/month.

7. Elaine Welteroth Teaches Designing Your Career – MasterClass 

Former editor-in-chief Teen Vogue, multimedia trailblazer, and New York Times bestselling author, Elaine Welteroth offers students a MasterClass (visit website) on designing their own career. The building blocks of this journey are getting out of your comfort zone and harnessing your values and personal skills.

Elaine has tailored her class to the entrepreneurs, the “multi-hyphenated” or as Elaine likes to say, the Moghuls in the making. She wishes to help these entrepreneurs find the spot that lies at the intersection of their talent, passions, and goals.

When you enroll in this class, you’ll discover the essential tools for crafting a career path tailored to your unique strengths and ambitions. Across 15 engaging lectures, you’ll learn how to uncover your zone of genius, create a career blueprint, build a network, identify opportunities, pursue side hustles, boost financial confidence, and ultimately become your own boss.

Additionally, the class covers key strategies for self-marketing and team building—crucial skills for long-term success. Whether you’re looking to expand your career prospects or take the leap into entrepreneurship, this is one of the top self-development courses online to help you achieve your goals.

Instructor: Elaine Welteroth | For: All levels
Price: from $10/month. Access to all 200+ courses.
Info: View course page. Compare pricing plans and browse and visit MasterClass.

8. Energy Medicine – Mindvalley

Energy Medicine (visit website) is an online class by one of today’s most respected energy healers, Donna Eden, and trains individuals to self-heal physically and mentally through energy healing, which involves “simple steps to harnessing your personal energetic systems,” of which there are 9 in total. However, this 8-week program focuses on 5.

As a successful self-healer of her Multiple Sclerosis and co-founder of the world’s largest Energy Medicine school, Eden invites you to reconnect with your body’s natural ability to self-heal and use energy medicine to complement Western medicine. During this program, you’ll learn to find your body’s rhythm, increase your vitality, and feel more alive.

Eden promises to help you identify which of your 9 energetic systems need attention and share techniques for making them work synergistically. In your first session, you’ll learn a 5-minute daily energy routine that, when performed consistently, shifts the energy habits in your body. Next, you’ll learn to clear, ground, and center your energies.

Moreover, you’ll also learn about the immune system and the flight-or-fight response to help you manage stress and pain while using energy testing to empower yourself to make good choices for your health.

Not surprisingly, Eden covers the chakra system, cleansing your aura, and plugging into your radiant circuits, which govern your vitality, passion, and gratitude. Energy Medicine is a personal growth program for feeling strong, connected, and vibrant at any stage of life.

Platform: Mindvalley | Instructor: Donna Eden | Duration: 8 weeks
Price: $49/month or $399 annually. Access to all 100+ online courses.
Info: View course page. Membership: View website for details and discounts.

9. Learning How to Learn – Coursera

The tagline for this course says it all: “Powerful mental tools to help you master tough subjects.” Whether for personal growth or professional challenges, these strategies are invaluable in a wide range of contexts. Taught by Dr. Barbara Oakley and Dr. Terrence Sejnowski from the University of California, San Diego, this course is designed to help you “become better at learning” and unlock your full potential.

This course provides essential skills to maximize learning, overcome procrastination, and prepare effectively for tests. It introduces you to the Pomodoro technique, a proven method for time management, and explores meta-learning, which delves into how artificial intelligence learns. These tools aim to enhance both your productivity and understanding.

One of the standout sessions focuses on “chunking,” a highly effective method of processing information by breaking it into smaller, manageable pieces. While the term may sound unusual, chunking significantly improves retention and comprehension, making it a valuable addition to your learning toolkit.

Many reviewers praise this personal growth course for delivering meaningful, life-changing insights. However, some critics felt unclear about how to apply the concepts, noting that much of the material seemed obvious, with useful nuggets scattered throughout. Still, even seemingly obvious points can offer a helpful reminder, serving as a nudge to take action or rethink familiar ideas.

Provider: University of California San Diego. | Complete in 15 hours.
Instructor: Dr. Barbara Oakley
Info: View website. Get Certificate with Coursera Plus. View details.

10. Career Success – Coursera

This program from the UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education offers to help you “build essential personal skills for the workplace.” The instructors will help you add problem-solving, written communication, negotiating, project management, and leadership to your skillset. The goal is to improve students’ employability and advancement in the workforce.

Students can take the program’s courses individually. Choose from Finance for Non-Finance Professionals, Communications in the 21^st Century, Hi-Impact Business Writing, and more. If you choose to take the whole specialization, the capstone project gives you an opportunity to apply what you’ve learned.

Students appreciated the opportunity to brush up on their management skills. Others found it useful to refresh their memories in some areas they had already learned in the past but have forgotten. Some were critical of the format, but their complaints (hard to get feedback on work, little interaction) are not uncommon in general for online learning.

Provider: UC Irvine Division of Continuing Education.
With: Rob Stone | Time: 11 months.
Info: View website. Get Certificate with Coursera Plus. View details.

11. Jessie Krebs Teaches Wilderness Survival – MasterClass

Jessie Krebs (visit website) is a former Air Force SERE (survival, evasion, resistance, and escape) specialist. She is now bringing to MasterClass her three decades’ of experience in adapting and adopting remarkable survival strategies in unexpected situations.

She is a veteran at helping trainers get into the survival mindset and internalize the skills necessary to beat the odds when thrown amid an unprecedented emergency. Jessie Krebs’s MasterClass essentially revolves around the five basic needs of a survivor: signaling, personal protection, sustenance, navigation, and health.

Some of the methods, personal skills, and strategies taught in the course may seem like common sense but it is surprising how panic and distress can cause this sense to fade out. Krebs’s mission here is exactly to reinforce our natural instincts to survive, signal help the right way, read maps, find water, make shelter, and more.

If you’re looking to master wilderness survival skills and adapt them to the urban jungle, this is one of the best personal development courses to consider.

Instructor: Jessie Krebs | For: All levels | Rating: 4.8 ★★★★★
Price: from $10/month. Access to all 200+ courses.
Info: View course page. | Browse all classes and topics.

12. The 4-Hour Life – CreativeLive

Taught by Tim Ferriss, author of “The 4-Hour Workweek”, this course aims to give you “Solutions To Everyday Problems.” Some of these solutions come through physical body conditioning and sports wisdom that can be metaphorically applied to other areas of life. Tim invited a variety of special guests to present in their areas of expertise.

Based on the reviews, it might be more up to you to figure out if/how you can apply what is being taught to your own life. Also, some of the information is not universally relevant. Numerous female reviewers expressed that some of the content was more for guys, while some entrepreneurs said the business advice was too random.

Taking a close look at the curriculum can help you decide if this personal development course is right for you. If you have a CreativeLive subscription, you can explore it for free with no obligation.

Provider: CreativeLive | Instructor: Tim Ferris
Level: All levels | Lessons: 16 | Video: 8.5 hours | Rating: 94% ★★★★★
Info: $149/year or 39/month.

13. Discovering Your Strengths – LinkedIn Learning

Do you know where your greatest expertise lies? Are you clear on what you do best and how it can add value to the world? If you’re seeking guidance in this area, this personal development course is one of the best online options to help you embark on a transformative journey of self-discovery.

Using a framework and exercises, instructor Dave Crenshaw will guide you through this class. He will help you identify your natural gifts and passions, and your greatest skills and abilities. Learn how to build upon your strengths and increase your marketplace value.

If you’re questioning whether your current job is the right fit, this information could be invaluable. This popular class promises to help you “address a mismatch” and explore actionable steps for change. With a LinkedIn Learning subscription or free trial, you can access this class without any obligations.

Instructors: Dave Crenshaw | Items: 6 Lessons | Content: 36 Videos
Plans: $29.99/month or $17.99/month annually. Access all courses.

Tip: Languages, communication, personal productivity, and creativity can be an essential part of your personal development journey. Browse our lists of the best language courses, public speaking courses, or photography courses or productivity courses.

14. Investing in Stocks – Udemy

This popular course (visit website) teaches you practical investing skills. These include placing stock orders, selecting funds and stocks for an investment portfolio as well as doing qualitative research, evaluation, and risk management.

It is among the best personal development courses online if you want to better understand the world of finance but have no idea where to start or are on a small budget. There are many more options available on Udemy (browse category) if this isn’t the right fit.

The course covers stocks, mutual funds, and Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), while also teaching you how to evaluate a broker or financial planner. While it’s not designed to prepare you for a career in financial services, it offers a solid introduction to the fundamentals of the field.

Instructor: Steve Ballinger | Level: All levels | Lectures: 97 | Video: 11 hours
Price: from $11.99 | User Rating: 4.4 ★★★★☆

15. Real Productivity: Build Habits That Last – Skillshare

The subtitle “How to Build Habits that Last” offers a clear glimpse into the course’s focus. Author Thomas Frank teaches his “favorite habit tracking and reflection systems,” along with strategies for setting and achieving goals. The course also covers how to handle failure, identify habits, and take ownership of them, providing a comprehensive approach to personal growth.

Students praised the class for its actionable points and practical resources. Personally, I found the “impossible goal list” to be a standout feature—something I’ve continued to maintain and benefit from long after completing the course. However, some participants felt that the course leaned too heavily on using apps to improve productivity, which may not suit everyone’s preferences.

Overall, this is one of the best personal development courses online for addressing productivity challenges, particularly for beginners. It equips learners with practical tools and techniques to take control of their habits and achieve their goals effectively.

Additionally, similar courses are available on Skillshare under one subscription. With a 30% discount on the annual plan (see below), you can explore this course and others to further enhance your productivity.

Instructor: Thomas Frank | Level: All levels | Lectures: 9 | Review: 4.5 ★★★★☆
Info: View course page. Browse full category.
Price: $15/month. Get 30% Off Premium to try all personal growth courses.

16. The Science of Well-Being – Coursera

Any opportunity to get a taste of Ivy League education online appeals to me! This Yale University course, taught by Laurie Santos, aims to increase students’ happiness and help them build more productive habits.

The class consists of a series of challenges that are created to increase happiness and “build more productive habits”. Learn about misconceptions connected to happiness. Many found the course valuable for learning the insights and science behind well-being, while for others, the quality of the learning did not measure up to their expectations.

With the bar set so high, critiques are to be expected. That said, it’s unrealistic to expect any of these courses to completely transform one’s happiness.

Nonetheless, there is undeniable value in boosting productivity and understanding the science behind it. For some, this could even serve as a stepping stone toward a career in life coaching or counseling, offering both foundational knowledge and practical insights.

Provider: Yale. Coursera | Instructor: Laurie Santos
Complete in 19 hours. | User Review: 4.9 ★★★★★
Info: View website. Get a Certificate with Coursera Plus. View details.

17. Ultimate Edge – Tony Robbins

If you find yourself achieving on a higher level than you have before and gaining a greater sense of fulfillment from your endeavors after taking this online personal growth course, then Tony Robbins delivered as promised. He provides you insights from his conversations with several of the “world’s happiest and most successful people”.

The personal development skills you will attain include improved time management, stress management, goal setting and targeting and breaking your negative habits. Reviewers felt that the course was powerful and well worth the expense. He gives you numerous hours of coaching content and workshops that make you feel as though you are in the room with him. You also get a journal with the course.

The only potential downside to this course is for those who have followed Tony Robbins closely throughout his career. Much of the content reflects principles he has been teaching for years. However, if you’re new to Tony Robbins’ approach and are a high achiever looking to elevate your life, you’ll undoubtedly benefit from learning from one of the best coaches in the world.

Category: Mind & Meaning
Workbook: 30 Pages | Audio Content: 20 Hours
Price: $249 | Rating: ★★★★☆

Personal Growth Courses To Improve Work Skills

Before wrapping up our list, let’s explore some often-overlooked topics, new skills, and options. These ideas are designed to complement the personal growth courses mentioned earlier, offering fresh perspectives and additional tools for your journey.

Learning To Type Fast

In the age of voice dictation, many may think that using a keyboard is very 20th-century technology. It is indeed, but it is also a proven and convenient human-computer interface that will survive or at least stick with us for longer. Hence, knowing to type fast does not only save you time it will also broaden your job opportunities.

Two interesting options that will teach you to increase typing speed and accuracy effectively are Typesy and KAZ Typing. They are two of the best typing software tutors out there. Both use scientifically proven methods and track your progress. KAZ is more focused on teaching you the keyboard within 90 minutes while Typesy goes visual and playful with videos and games.

Learning to Read Fast

It’s a fact that we cannot read everything or learn everything. But we can adapt our reading style and methods to read more efficiently and extract knowledge, data, information and applicable techniques from books in the fastest way possible. One effective strategy is to apply the Chunking Technique.

Additionally, learning to read faster is a great skill you can use in your job and work to go through documents effectively or keep up with the ever-expanding knowledge and trends in your industry. 7-Speed-Reading, Rev It Up Reading or Iris Reading are the most renowned providers of speed reading courses here.

Improving Your Memory

Founder and CEO of IrisReading.com, Paul Nowak, teaches you how to memorize effectively—a skill most of us need but are rarely taught. Paul breaks down how memory works and shares proven techniques to improve recall.

The course covers well-known hacks like mnemonic devices and alliteration while explaining how to choose the right technique for the best results. It’s an excellent resource for students, performers, and anyone who regularly makes presentations in their job or business, helping you deliver material with confidence and impact.

Choosing the Best Personal Development Courses Online

Since personal growth requires a time investment, it’s essential to select the right course based on both objective criteria and your personal preferences. If you’ve already set your personal development goals, here are some ideas to help you make a confident and informed choice.

1. Identify your strengths and weaknesses.
2. Among your strengths, decide which ones will get you closer to your goals. Select those personal growth courses that will help you further develop your strengths.
3. Among your weaknesses, see if there are any that could be slowing your progress. Decide what level of proficiency you need to reach. Select courses that will get you to that level.
4. Plan out courses based on urgency of need, duration, time commitment and cost. 
5. Consider the instructor. Review their credentials. Watch the preview to see if you like them. Then look through the syllabus or course outline carefully.
6. Execute. Commit by enrolling and scheduling your study.
7. Reward your commitment after finishing any of your courses.

Personal Development Courses – Summary

For anyone seeking a higher quality of life, greater fulfillment, and the ability to contribute more to society, continuous personal development is essential. It’s not just a goal—it’s a lifelong journey.

Childhood education is supposed to get you to at least a basic level of functioning. It should equip you with self-confidence, literacy and numeracy, along with some rudimentary social skills.

Perhaps you had a richer childhood education than this. Even if you didn’t, it’s all in your hands now. If life is a journey, then the goals you set are important milestones along the way. The personal development you invest yourself in will determine how you will make it to the milestones.

It’s what you pack for the journey, how you orient yourself, who you become along the way and how you prepare for unexpected detours. Every milestone you reach is a victory in your life. Consistent personal growth will help you get those victories consistently and we hope to have assisted you with our list of the best self-improvement courses online.

What are the best online personal development courses in 2025 for you? Have you taken any? Let us know in the comments.

Sources: What is emotional intelligence? – 1 | What is Leadership? – 2

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