It’s no secret that we all have room for improvement. However, knowing what to improve or how to do it isn’t a simple task … or maybe it’s simpler than we think. What if we told you that if you adopt these seven different practices, you could be well on your way to becoming a better you? We aren’t saying that these are the only things that need changing for self-improvement, but they are a great place to start!
Inward Changes
1. Go Easy on Yourself
Everyone makes mistakes and everybody has slow days. Give yourself grace and understanding. Do things that boost your confidence and emotional state. Compliment yourself daily or set reminders to reflect on the things you’ve accomplished.
2. Fill Your Heart with Forgiveness
Although it’s easy to let anger be your initial reaction to events that upset you, it’s unhealthy to keep that anger around. To release that emotion, rationalize it and remind yourself that it’s okay to feel angry but not okay to let it consume you. The moment of frustration has passed, so forgive yourself and forgive others. Focus on calming down instead of giving power to anger. You’re in control.
3. Make the Changes that You See Fit
It’s okay to make changes to yourself and your life but ensure that they don’t stray away from your values. Make changes that are meaningful to you and encourage your growth. Want to develop a new habit that will boost your well-being and happiness? Do it! This includes making changes that promote your physical and mental health (nutrition, sleep, exercise, social connection, etc.) And don’t be afraid of trying new things that open your mind and your heart.
4. End the Excuses
When something doesn’t go right, recognize when it’s your fault and place the blame on yourself. Then discover what you can do to avoid that issue in the future. Become accountable for your words and actions. If you’re not feeling in the mood to do something, do it anyway and avoid making an excuse. Often when we start doing something that we weren’t feeling up to, it feels better to get it done and out of the way. It’ll be relieving to get that task or event off of your mind, and you’ll sleep soundly knowing that you didn’t miss out on anything. Here are some ways to help you eliminate excuses from your life.
Outward Changes
5. Listen More
You have nothing to lose and everything to gain by tuning into your ears and holding your tongue. If you listen more, you’ll learn more about yourself, your surroundings, and the people in your life. You’ll also learn that you can say a lot in fewer words than you think. Spend more time formulating responses and contributions of value to your conversations. Remember that silence doesn’t need to be filled during discussion. It’s okay to allow yourself (and others) time to think. Everyone can benefit from actively listening and talking less.
6. Show Respect and Be Polite
It’s more effective to treat others the way they want to be treated, than the way that you want to be treated. We all have different feelings and sensitivities, so it’s important to understand another person’s feelings and desires. Coming to this understanding helps you to become a better friend, neighbor, coworker, and all-around person. Instead of assuming how someone wants to be treated, try asking them.
When all else fails, show others the respect that everyone is due. Respect peoples’ …
- Boundaries
- Property (Physical and Intellectual)
- Emotions
- Time
- Lifestyle
- Belief
- Work
You don’t have to agree with them, but you should show them respect and courtesy. It’s the very minimum that we owe one another.
In addition to showing respect, just be polite too. Even if it’s hard and someone is being rude to you, use your manners. Saying “please,” “thank you,” and “you’re welcome” can go a long way. If you don’t think you can muster up the strength to be polite to someone who isn’t doing the same for you, just walk away from the situation. If you can manage to be polite to a rude person, your politeness may just teach them a lesson.
7. Invest in People and Your Community
If you have the opportunity or the position to help others and invest in others, go for it. Invest in the people who you believe are going to make a difference in the world. Give your time, support, and love to those who you share values with. It’s especially impactful when you invest in the people of your community, or directly into the community. If you can lend a hand to someone, whether a stranger or a friend, do it.
Better Together
If you’re interested in being a better you, start integrating these actions into your life. You don’t need to adopt all seven of them right away but start with a few until they become habitual. Before you know it, you’ll feel better and be better.
As mentioned earlier, becoming accountable for your actions is a great way to be a better person. If you’re not sure how to do that, check out our blog on “Being Accountable for Everything You Do”.
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