Have you ever felt like you have been at a spot in your life for far too long like you do not recognise this person staring back at you in the mirror? You have experienced no change at all, you have no impact on another person and no one has an impact on you either. It feels like you are just existing, nothing excites you anymore. It means that you have outgrown where you are presently and you need to do better or where you are is not where you should be.
We always know when we have found a good fit or when we are forcing it whether it's at work or in a relationship. We just choose to ignore the warning signs and think that they will go away but it does not go away on their own. It takes conscious and deliberate efforts on our part. The greater part of bettering yourself comes from
finding yourself and
being good to yourself. When you find yourself, only then will you be able to improve yourself. The goal is not to change yourself but to accept and love yourself and be better at being you.
What is self-improvement?
Simply put, self-improvement is refining and working to make yourself better at who you are and what you do and working on your emotions so that you can get a grasp on identifying and controlling the triggers that make your weakness more pronounced.
Developing yourself is not a once-in-a-lifetime activity but something you have to keep working on as long as you live if you desire to build yourself. When you are constantly on the lookout to improve your life, your sense of self-awareness will be heightened, you will have a sense of direction, your focus will improve, and you will be more motivated and resilient to the situations and people that often made you lose control in times past.
You need self-improvement if:
- You are in a job or relationship you don't like.
- You would like to derive more meaning from life.
- You would like to stop procrastinating.
- You have the desire to improve the quality of your life.
- You wish to increase your responsibility at home or work.
- You want to change your mindset.
- You wish to be in control of your emotions.
- You want to challenge beliefs that have limited you in the past.
- You are interested in getting your life back on track if you had lost focus.
Why self-improvement is important.
Self-improvement can set you on the track to living a more fulfilling life as you get to attain your goals and find satisfaction in the quality of your life. Personal and professional development can
fine-tune your skills for the workplace which can eventually lead to a promotion and increased pay. Personal growth can open you up to experience and have more meaningful relationships with family and friends, know and enforce boundaries and take
better care of yourself.
It is often said that you cannot give what you don't have and it's true. The better you are at becoming the best version of yourself, the more enriching your circle will find you and benefit from you. It also gives you confidence in a world that is constantly changing.
How to achieve self-improvement
Let's explore some ideas for self-improvement to help you take your life back and be your best self.
1. Read.
There is now an easier way to read with the advancement in technology. You don't need to carry volumes of books around, all you need is a mobile device and internet access and you are good to go. Reading improves your vocabulary, increases focus, keeps you informed and helps you think critically. Read books on topics that interest you, motivational books and new topics too.
2. Set achievable goals for yourself.
As you work on ways to improve yourself, set goals that will get you where you want to be. Break them down into smaller tasks that can easily be achieved and set a time frame for achieving them. When you arrive at your desired goals, set new ones otherwise you will begin to descend and lose track of where your life is going.
3. Be accountable.
Surround yourself with people who are on the same journey and can keep you accountable. Share your learning points, triumphs and setbacks so that you learn from each other and steer away from paths where others have fallen.
4. Know what works and what doesn't.
Do away with and replace habits, goals and people that are not helping you but are pulling you down and being extra baggage. Drop them so that you will feel lighter and be free from people who bring nothing but discouragement.
5. Face your fears and overcome them.
What scares you the most? Meeting new people? Being broke? Leaving your comfort zone? Public speaking? Face it fair and square by learning about it and taking steps towards overcoming it then the fear of it will depart from you.
6. Learn something new
From
free to paid online courses, and skills you are interested in but did not have the time to learn, there are reading materials and videos available for them. Take advantage of the advancement in technology and stay up to date.
7. Have a role model.
Do you know someone who has walked the path you are on and succeeded? Learn from his/her experiences even when you may not get to meet them in person.
8. Record your journey in a journal.
Documenting your journey will help you keep track of your progress and help you stay focused.
9. Meditate.
The Psalmist said in Psalms 119:99, I have more understanding than all my teachers: for thy testimonies are my meditation. Meditating on God's word gives you more understanding, go for it.
10. Take care of yourself.
Self-care is an important component of self-development. Learn to take better care of yourself, it shows that you value who you are.
11. Eat well.
Eat healthy meals and stay away from junk food as much as possible. You can splurge once in a long while but try to cook fresh meals from scratch.
12. Exercise more.
Working out is essential not just to shed some weight but to also keep fit. Regular exercises will increase your stamina, make you feel lighter and keep you healthy.
13. Be grateful.
Your experiences in life have moulded you to be the person you are today, many others are not so fortunate. Be grateful for your health, work, family, friends, job, home, food, water and everything else.
14. Know and enforce your boundaries.
Stop trying to be everything to everyone while neglecting yourself. Know when to say no, you are important too.
15. Be more outgoing.
Get out of your comfort zone and be adventurous, you will discover new things about yourself.
16. Stay away from people and activities that amplify your weakness.
17. Stop negative self-talk.
Be kind to yourself and remember that there is nothing you cannot do. Let this be your mantra as you work on ways to improve yourself.
18. Be self-motivated.
You may not always have access to people that encourage you, but be your cheerleader.
19. Get professional help.
Should you need more help, please don't fail to contact a coach who has self-improvement skills to assist you.
Q&A
How does self-improvement help you as an individual?
Self-improvement improves the quality of your life; your effectiveness at work increases, you have better relationships, your thoughts become more positive, you can tell a fake person more easily and life will be generally more fun.
Does self-improvement work?
Yes, it does. Self-improvement works if you are ready to put in the work and stay committed and consistent until you see the desired results.
When does self-improvement become toxic?
Self-improvement becomes toxic when it becomes an obsession. If it gets to the point where you are always seeing yourself as needing to improve, then it has gone out of hand. It also becomes toxic when you set unrealistic standards and unachievable goals for yourself.
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