There are lots of things in life that you do not have the capacity to change, but there is a very important one thing in your life that you have complete control over – yourself. We all have the ability to improve and better ourselves in all aspects of our lives, but sometimes it can be hard to know where to begin with this self-improvement.
With this in mind, below are 10 ways to become a better version of yourself to get you started!
How to start your self-improvement journey:
1. Start small
Firstly, it should be said that you shouldn’t set your expectations too high. Don’t expect an overnight change – self-improvement is a process so don’t be disillusioned if you don’t feel you’ve reached your full potential by the end of the week. To begin with, you should set yourself smaller goals to work towards, raising the bar as you go.
2. Be present
Developing an acute awareness of your surroundings and learning to be present in the moment will help you feel more connected to people and things you are engaging with. Studies have shown individuals with a better focus on the now are happier and healthier, helping to deal with stress and negative emotions. Ignore the distractions, live in the moment.
3. Stop holding grudges
Holding on to the problems and mistakes of the past is holding back from being the best possible version of yourself. It can be hard to let go of these negative emotions, especially when you have been wronged by someone, but releasing that negativity will benefit you and your development, freeing you up to focus more on the positive aspects of your life.
4. Be honest
Honesty is commonly cited as one of the most important qualities that people look for in others. It shows responsibility and a willingness to be open with your peers and is an essential foundation for the formation of trust in a relationship. It is also important that you are honest with yourself, a key factor in being the best and most authentic version of yourself.
5. Take opportunities
Most things in life we have to work for and seek out, yet sometimes, in those rare instances, great opportunities will come to your door. Whilst it might be daunting to jump into something new, saying ‘yes’ and being more open to new experiences and possibilities will provide you with a greater sense of achievement and control over your life.
6. Be kind
As the old saying goes, manners cost nothing. Being polite and considerate to others (friends and strangers alike) goes a long way, and will have a positive effect on your own mood and mindset. Equally, you should practice the same kindness when it comes to yourself – be kinder to yourself, that negative self-talk isn’t helping anyone!
7. Look after your health
Both your physical and mental health are vitally important, and unfortunately they do not look after themselves. Take care with your body when it comes to diet and exercise, but also with things such as your workload and stress levels. A healthier lifestyle will help you to feel better in yourself, and you will have a strong sense of achievement as you reach your fitness and health goals.
8. Have balance
It can be tempting (especially when on a self-improvement kick) to take lots of things on and say ‘yes’ to everything. Whilst it is important to throw yourself into new things and open yourself up to opportunities, don’t do so at the expense of burning out. Your downtime and chance to recharge your batteries is as important as going out and doing these things – have a balance of both.
9. Embrace failure
It is inevitable in life that not everything will go our way, try as we might. Rather than dwell too much on the negative implications of these failures or mistakes, reflect on what went wrong and how you might avoid making the same mistakes in the future. Embracing the failures and transforming them into a lesson gives them meaning and lets you find the silver lining.
10. Stop caring what others think
All too often we base our worth on the perceptions that others have of us. Whether this is our friends and family, or complete strangers, an overdependence and care of what other people think of us can be unhealthy and detrimental to our self-esteem and development. Don’t waste time and energy striving to be the person you think you are expected to be, instead put that focus into becoming the person you want to be.