Working on Self Improvement

 

September is self-improvement month and there’s always something that we can do to make improvements in our lives. Who is it or what is it that you aspire to be? How often do you assess where you are in life and then take the necessary steps to improve your situation?

Today I’m sharing 10 practical ways of improving ourselves, that I found to be interesting in an article titled: 10 simple ways to work on self-improvement, from the BetterUp website, written by Giulia Villirilli. These 10 items reaffirmed for me, the things that I need to do, or continue doing to see the results that I’ve been striving to achieve on my self-improvement journey. 

1. Focus on your strengths- Often people think of self-development as "covering for their weakness," which makes the process more painful. Self-improvement can also mean developing our talents, becoming excellent at what we love to do, and having a lot of fun!

2. Declutter- The process of decluttering is the process of letting go of the parts of us (and our environments) that no longer serve us. By decluttering, we make space for new experiences to happen, and with those, new awareness, and growth. The decluttering process can be liberating and allows us to clearly see which direction we want to take for our growth. 

3. Ask yourself powerful questions- Questions may provide meaningful insights. How do you want to inspire others? What do you want to be remembered for? What would your older self, tell you about your self-development? 

There are hundreds of powerful questions. Let them find you.

4. Seek feedback- Constructive feedback is like the "boost-button:" it provides valuable insights for us to improve and serve others better. It makes us progress faster, as others reveal to us what we cannot see. Feedback enables us to make the necessary adjustments, dream more, and achieve more! 

5. Work with an accountability partner- Having an accountability partner, like a friend or a coach, can support tremendously to stay on track. Accountability is a powerful mechanism that gently helps us to move forward and, in the end, reach the desired outcomes. 

6. Start small- Sustainable progress is made of small, consistent steps. There is no need for giant leaps — even if they are possible, they’re not always the best place to start. If you are hesitant, start small. Little actions generate positive loops that further create other positive loops. The change we want to see starts with us, and with the first step.

7. Keep moving forward- Often the biggest mistake we make is to give up on a process! If you choose to challenge yourself and improve, stick with it. Learning entails plateaus, moments of joy, and setbacks.  It’s all part of the process. Keep moving forward, one step at a time!

8. Commit to curiosity- Curiosity pushes us to research more, to question, and to aim for more profound wisdom. Curiosity arises every time we adopt the so-called "beginner's mind," and we try to reset all we know to see things as if it were the first time. This behavior gives us fresh insights, free from bias and from the experiences made until that moment, that in some cases could hinder instead of helping us. 

9. Get moving- A healthy mind lives in a healthy body. If you are mainly focused on brain activities, find some space for physical exercise. If you are a sport-lover and always outdoors, try to find time for a bit o steadiness and introspection. The combination of brain and body (and spirit) gives the best long-term feelings and rewards.

10. Celebrate your successes- Nelson Mandela said, "Remember to celebrate milestones as you prepare for the road ahead." Celebrating successes is a healthy habit, often sacrificed in the name of new actions and results. To set the time on "pause" provides the opportunity to observe what one has accomplished, the progress made, the learnings, and the feelings. It is such a critical moment, as it opens up space to acknowledge oneself and others and openly share one's pride.