Improving doesn't mean that everything in your life must change overnight. No longer a case of major overhauls, or quick fix fads; but rather slowly iterating to become slightly better each day shift that with time comes big wins and life-long changes. Advice and insights that can help you improve your life while growing as a person, no matter what specific goals these might be for (professional, personal, or holistic).
1. Work Toward Specific and Realistic Objectives
In Short: Having goals gives a sense of direction and meaning — the WHY carries you through tough times. They are sometimes needed, without them you might end up going round in circles aimlessly.
What to Do: Start setting specific measurable achievable relevant time-bound (SMART) goals initially. Instead of having a vague goal such as "I just want to get healthier," strive for something like, "For the next month I will walk 30 minutes every day.
Example in the Real World: Sarah is a working mom with two kids. She cut 10lbs in three months by deciding to wake up half an hour earlier each day and get a workout in, at the same time she felt more energetic throughout her day.
2. Develop Positive Habits
Why You Want To Hear I: Your dogmatic way of life rubs off on your 50-year QoL. Establishing healthy habits leads to a life of happiness and success.
What to Do: Focus on establishing one new habit at a time. Use some cues/triggers to help you remember the habit. For example, if you want to remember to drink water stack a full water bottle on your desk.
For instance: James wanted to be focused and less stressed at work. It started with him meditating for only 10 minutes every morning, allowing him to stay calm and focused throughout the rest of his day.
3. Have True Relationships
Why It Matters: Feeling happy, emotional health, and life satisfaction are all influenced by positive connections. They provide your strength in hard times and make your world full of love and companionship
Practice: Try to practice or be an active listener, spend quality time with loved ones, and show appreciation. Keep in touch with friends and family, even if it is just a quick text or call to say you are thinking of them.
Like, for example—Emma noticed she was getting further and further away from her mate. They devoted one night a week to each other which she was the first to initiate. They did wonders for their relationship with this one little change.
4. Prioritize Self-Care
Why It's Important: If you don't look after yourself, your health will suffer. Being happy equips you to pass through your obstructions and right the wrongs that are there for you vowed in life.
How to: Self-care does need to be complicated. As simple as allotting a few minutes each day to do something that you love (like yoga, walking, or reading a book) can suffice. Make sure that you are getting enough sleep and eating balanced meals, also don't be afraid to take a break when needed.
Example: Lisa was burnt out from her job. Each night she started to spend 20 minutes unwinding by sipping tea and reading a good book. This simple self-care routine allowed her to find calm and a sense of well-being.
5. Embrace Lifelong Learning
Why It Is Important: Life-long learning provides new possibilities and keeps your mind engaged. The more you do this, the better you get at it and that helps in your overall growth as a person or professional.
How You Can Do It: Pretty much read a book, take an online class/enlist in understudy, or adjust another ability… make a day-by-day learning promise. Surround yourself with people that motivate and support you.
Example in the Real World: John is an accountant and he decides that on evenings and weekends, instead of learning Mandarin Chinese (which was his brush over New Year's resolution), this year will learn to code. It opened new career opportunities for him, experiences in which he found meaning and a sense of pride.
6. Practice Gratitude Daily
Why Does It Matter: Being grateful allows you to put more focus on your success, making each little joy of life even better. It is a powerful tool for increasing happiness and joy in life.
Action Step: Create a gratitude journal and write at least three things you are grateful for each day. This improves your happiness and helps you appreciate life's little things.
Real-Life Example: Mike noticed a big shift in his life outlook and temperament when he started using the gratitude journal. No matter how miserable things might be, he found that the trade-off brought him greater happiness and contentment.
7. Take Action and Reflect
The Point: Change is a function of our actions, but reflection enables us to learn from the errors that we've made in the past and behave more wisely in the future.
The Way to Do It: Own it now and break your goals down into attainable bits. Monitor your progress consistently and adjust as needed. Recognize all of your victories — however big or small.
Example 1: Anna was scared to start up and run his own business. Her goal was broken down into bite-size steps, like doing market research or writing a business plan and finding someone to mentor her. Cristela managed to build her company in less than a year by taking one day at a time.
Conclusion
Self-improvement is a long road that takes commitment effort and the willingness to be flexible. By being proactive, showing gratitude, focusing on continuous self-development; working to create great personal and professional relationships, setting clear goals as well practicing positive rituals – you can build a fulfilling life.
Call to Action
Review —___ Are You Ready for Life Changing____ Journey. Share this article with a friend who might just need some more motivation, and leave your personal development advice in the comments! Be sure to read others of our posts in the series on personal growth and self-improvement!
