The new year is here, and what better time to work on becoming the best version of yourself than now? Now is the perfect time to think about what you can do to move from wherever you are to wherever you want to be.
This article explores a few steps you can take to improve yourself.
8 Ways to Improve Yourself
1. Try to Quit Any Bad Habits
It goes without saying that bad habits like stress eating, excessive drinking, overspending and so on, can negatively impact your life. Allowing bad habits into your life can hinder your ability to focus on your life goals.
To better your chances of achieving your self-improvement goals, I strongly recommend quitting any bad habits. I understand that this won't happen overnight, so take things one step and one habit at a time. Also, don't be afraid to seek professional help in quitting your bad habits if you believe it would be beneficial.
2. Pursue a New Business Venture
While having money doesn't guarantee happiness, increasing your income and achieving financial independence is an excellent way to improve your life.
Starting my business and blog was one of the best things I could have done for myself. Being able to work from home doing what I love has been a fantastic experience.
I know that blogging is a popular business venture; however, there are so many options available to you if you want to start your own business. What is it that you're passionate about and are naturally good at? Is there a way that you can turn that passion into a business?
Blogging has given me the opportunity to work from home making a full-time passive income, so it's definitely something I recommend giving a try.
If you're interested in starting a blog, I’ve helped thousands of bloggers start and grow their blog. Let me show you how to start, grow and monetize your blog.
3. Read More
I believe that reading should be a continuous process of your life. When you read, you gain knowledge, improve your focus and concentration, and so much more. Not to count, reading makes for great entertainment.
Examples of good materials you can read to improve yourself include inspirational books, fiction novels, biographies of successful individuals, literature, and parenting magazines.
Recommended Article: 7 Audiobooks for a Better Life
4. Learn a New Skill
Learning a new skill is one of the best things you can do to improve yourself. Examples of skills you can learn for self-improvement include learning a new language, knitting, and even juggling. Learning to play instruments such as the piano, guitar, or drums is also great.
When it comes to learning new skills, consider thinking outside the box. I purchased a kalimba for my husband because he loves to make music. While a kalimba isn't something he would have bought for himself, he absolutely loves it.
You can also participate in new sports such as skating, basketball, volleyball, and martial arts.
You may need to push yourself in various ways, whether physically or emotionally; so a little sacrifice may necessary here. If you tried to learn a new skill in the past and failed, give it another try. Consider taking a class or course to help you master a new skill.
CreativeLive has a lot of great classes that will help you learn a new skill.
5. Workout Regularly
A regular exercise routine can improve your life in many ways. Not only can exercise keep your weight under control, but it can also reduce your risk of cardiovascular disease, improve your mood (this can help with anxiety, depression, and other mental disorders), strength your bones and muscles, improve your sleep, and more.
When beginning a workout routine, I recommend starting with smaller goals and working your way up. That means, for the first week, workout for just ten minutes, 3 or 4 days a week. The next week, add five more minutes to your workout and keep increasing the time by 5 minutes every week until you're working out for anywhere from 30-60 minutes.
Recommended Article: Simple Workouts You Can Do at Your Desk + Office
6. Have A Good Rest
Taking a break from your daily activities can rejuvenate you both physically and mentally.
Having a good rest allows your mind and body to relax. Some of my favorite ways to relax are by reading, taking a hot bath, crocheting, watching movies, spending time in nature, and enjoying quality time with my family.
According to The Anxiety and Phobia Workbook, here are some guidelines you can follow when it comes to taking a break:
- One hour per day
- One day per week
- One week out of every twelve to sixteen weeks
Recommended article: 7 Easy Ways to Practice Hygge
7. Set New Goals
Setting new goals can enhance your quality of your life by ensuring that you're always working towards being the best you that you can be. When setting your goals, I'm sure you've heard that your goals should be specific, measurable, and attainable. You should also be sure to set a realistic time frame within which to achieve your goals.
Once you have set your goals, make a clear plan on how to achieve them. This plan will ensure that you remain focused when working towards achieving your goals.
I love using my Self-Love Wordbook by Blessing Manifesting to practice living my best life. The workbook helps you set goals, keep track of your moods, anxiety, depression AND cultivate a self-care routine. Don’t put off making time for yourself!
8. Stop Procrastinating
Victor Kiam once said that "Procrastination as an opportunity’s assassin." I completely agree with this.
People often believe that they are born procrastinators. However, like many things in our lives, procrastination is a learned behavior. That means if you can learn it, it can be unlearned as well.
You can avoid procrastination by eliminating distractions, breaking down your tasks into smaller steps, surrounding yourself with inspiring people, and more.
Unstuck has a helpful chart on 9 Tips to Stop Procrastinating that you may find useful.
Bottom Line
If you're willing to take action, self-improvement can be achieved if you take specific actions in your life. What are some things you're doing to improve yourself?