How to Be the Best Version of Yourself

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Monday, 27 February 2023

Written by Sarah Kaminski

The world around us can be quite grim. And sometimes, there is nothing we can do about it. As the great Mahatma Gandhi once said: "our greatness lies not so much in being able to remake the world — that is the myth of the atomic age — as in being able to remake ourselves."

During the first months of the Covid pandemic, we talked a lot about self-improvement. Even with the lockdowns being behind us, we can't forget the goals we've set then. Personal growth is always important, and it includes exploring your authentic self as well as identifying the things you want to change. The strategies will be different for each individual, but putting in some work is necessary. Here are some tips that might help you get started on your personal growth journey.

Prioritize Your Priorities

We often mistakenly think that being better individuals means ignoring our needs in order to be there for others. While it is important to help your fellow human, you shouldn't be living your life trying to meet someone else's expectations, be that your friend, family member, or employer. Start your self-improvement journey by determining what is most important for your sense of purpose and happiness. Make a priority list of things you need to change or do, and start doing it today. Surround yourself with people who support your efforts and not those who put you down.

Embrace the Journey

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Personal growth is not a race. It is a marathon. Once you have identified what needs to be improved, don't expect revolutionary changes instantly. The journey called self-improvement requires a lot of small steps and a lot of mistakes. If you get annoyed when things are going slow, you probably won't get anywhere.

Focus on Your Strengths and Growth

You can't possibly want to change everything. The strengths you already have will help you when you hit roadblocks. Remember what you're bringing to the table and continue your progress. However, no one is made up of strengths alone. Develop a growth mindset and enjoy taking on new challenges. Weaknesses are opportunities for improvement. Focus on how to improve things, not on what you're doing wrong.

Learn New Things

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Acquiring new skills can help you broaden your horizons. Even if you are not very good at it or you stop liking it, a new skill helps you learn things about yourself. It may lead you to another new interest or lead you to new acquaintances.

Take this success story about learning Spanish as an example. Christie started because she thought her brain needed more exercise. Aside from that, she got an abundance of new ideas to help her with her writing, but also she met new people. She describes it as a "rich experience" that has made her "more aware, more curious." Similar effects can be achieved with other skills. Aside from a new language, you can learn cooking, painting, wood crafting, etc.

Have a Side Project

Not a lot of people have enough time for hobbies and side projects these days. However, doing something outside your work and chores can be liberating. This can be something as simple as making a scrapbook or something more complicated, such as making a documentary. This shouldn't be a burden. You can have a team of people do it with you. Depending on the type of project, you can invite your kids to participate or form a team of enthusiasts.

Set Reasonable Goals

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Don't overwhelm yourself with learning new things, accomplishing goals, or doing side projects. If you want to increase your productivity or lose pounds, set smaller goals and acknowledge each success. Each step toward your final goal is one brick in the wall of your personal growth.

Be Kind to Each Version of Yourself

Until you become the best version of yourself you intend to be, you need to embrace and respect the current you. Don't compare yourself to others, have some compassion, and pat yourself on the back. If you're not where you'd like to be, recognize and accept that. There is no progress without it. Replace negative self-talk with empowering words.

In Closing

Everyone is capable of change. Everyone deserves to rebuild. If you are willing to put in the work, you can grow step by step. Since there are no two persons alike in this world, growth can mean different things to different people. The tips above are mostly universal, so you need to find your own path using them as road signs.

Author Bio:

Sarah Kaminski is a life enjoyer, positivity seeker, and a curiosity enthusiast. She’s been a freelance writer for over a decade and loves researching health and wellness topics.

This article was submitted exclusively to CrystalWind.ca by Sarah Kaminski

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