September is National Self Improvement Month, and we want to share a few tips to help you along your journey of self-improvement. No matter what your goals are, these tips can help you on your way toward your “ideal self”.
1. WRITE AND SET GOALS FOR YOURSELF.
What are you wanting to improve about yourself or about your current situation? Identify the steps you need to take in order to make those improvements and set goals and deadlines for accomplishing those steps.
The simple effort of putting your pen to a piece of paper, for us, is mandatory when you wish to achieve your self-improvement goals sooner rather than later. Writing them down narrows your focus and provides short-term motivation and excitement. Written goals force you to choose specific, measurable goals that are important to you in the long-term and short-term. Having this clarity helps you filter out things, activities, and people that don't support your goals.
2. DAILY AFFIRMATIONS.
Affirmations have the power to motivate you to act on certain things, help you to concentrate on achieving your goals in life, give you the power to change your negative thinking patterns and replace them with positive thinking patterns, assist you in accessing a new belief system, but above all, affirmations can reaffirm the positivity back into your life and help regain or increase your self-confidence. You won't be able to help but develop the inner self by affirmations daily. We recommend writing them on a post-it note and sticking them to your computer, or on a white board or chalk board in your home.
3. CLEAN YOUR SPACE REGULARLY.
Cleaning might seem like a basic chore, but with numerous benefits to mental and physical health, cleaning is much more than that. Cleaning and having a clean, clutter-free living space has been linked to many positive health benefits including physical fitness, improved focus, sleep quality, and a reduction in stress and anxiety. According to one study from the mobile marketplace OfferUp, 61% of American citizens feel “de-stressed” after tidying up their living spaces. The benefits of cleaning and organizing your space go far beyond bragging rights.
4. CELEBRATE SMALL ACCOMPLISHMENTS.
5. ELIMINATE A BAD HABIT.
In addition to starting good habits, self-improvement is also about ridding yourself of bad habits. What do you do on a regular basis that takes away from you? Bad habits interrupt your life and prevent you from accomplishing your goals. They jeopardize your health — both mentally and physically. And they waste your time and energy.
Habits, good or bad, follow a typical three-step pattern. One way to describe this is as three Rs: reminder, routine, and reward. By breaking down the cycle of a bad habit, you can identify what triggers the routine and begin to address what really needs to change. This way you can establish a pattern for new and healthier habits.
6. CUT DOWN ON SCREEN TIME.
Cutting down on screen time is good for both your physical and mental health. It is amazing how much time we spend on our phones, tablets, and computers without realizing it. Reducing screen time frees up more time to connect with family and friends. Feeling connections with others can help ward off symptoms of stress, depression and anxiety. We often miss out on the fun and beauty that is happening all around us because of screens. By being present and in the moment — perhaps by setting aside a device — you may find what you need to fill that void.
7. GET ACTIVE.
Regular physical activity is one of the most important things you can do for your health. Being physically active can improve your brain health, help manage weight, reduce the risk of disease, strengthen bones and muscles, and improve your ability to do everyday activities. Physical activity is also a mood lifter, it will help you stay both positive and focused.
8. EAT HEALTHILY AND HYDRATE DAILY.
We are made up mostly of water. We also are what we eat, so it is essential to treat your body like a temple. Feed yourself nourishing items to make sure you have the energy to accomplish all of your goals.
9. DO YOUR MOST IMPORTANT TASK FIRST.
As the day goes on, we get tired and lose motivation. It can be hard to take steps toward self-improvement goals after working all day and taking care of the family. It may seem impossible to do at first, but figure out how to complete your most important self-improvement task first thing in the morning. Time-blocking may help you plan your day! We also recommend breaking down the important tasks in how long each one will take. Do the quickest one first so that you will have an instant reward straight away.
10. HAVE COMPASSION FOR YOURSELF AND OTHERS.
An explosion of research into self-compassion over the last decade has shown its benefits for well-being. Individuals who are more self-compassionate tend to have greater happiness, life satisfaction and motivation, better relationships and physical health, and less anxiety and depression. They also have the resilience needed to cope with stressful life events such as divorce, health crises, and academic failure, and even combat trauma.
We are so excited for you to begin your self-improvement journey, and we hope that some of these tips will help you in achieving your goals. Remember to check in with yourself, have compassion for yourself and celebrate small achievements. We know you will be able to accomplish great things.