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Continuous Self-Improvement: The Definitive Guide

Continuous self-improvement is a path for those who do not want to settle for a mediocre or average life.

But if youā€™re like me, you stumbled on the topic of self-improvement because you either:

  • Struggle with self-confidence;
  • Want to lose weight or gain muscle;
  • Seek a more meaningful and joyful career; 
  • Desire to easily connect with others and develop more intimate and fun relationships;
  • Or, like me, a combination of all the above.

Well, youā€™re on the right track. 

Continuous self-improvement will improve these areas ā€“ and transform your life in ways you cannot yet imagine.

Hereā€™s what we will cover in this definitive guide:

So, letā€™s dive in.

What is self-improvement?

Self-improvement is a process in which you take deliberate action to improve your knowledge, skills, habits, or character to get better in the essential areas of personal development: 

  • Well-being: Your body is your vehicle, and your mind is the machine running it. You must take care of both aspects to living a vibrant, long, and joyful life. 
  • Character: How you think, feel, and act impacts the results you get and shape your future. Thatā€™s why itā€™s essential to learn how to manage yourself. 
  • Relationships: The quality of your relationships is directly correlated with that of your life. So you will benefit from excellent interpersonal skills, like communication and empathy.
  • Achievement: One of the main drivers of a joyful and meaningful life is a sense of accomplishment. Whether in your career or personal life, setting and achieving goals will fulfill you.

Level up in all the above elements, and you will create a life filled with meaning, joy, and success.

Why is self-improvement important?

Everything is either growing or dying in life. 

Thatā€™s very obvious in the life cycle of plants that blossom during spring and start dying near the end of summer. 

But human life has such a cycle too. 

Unfortunately, most peopleā€™s blossoming cycle is relatively short. Because while we grow and have fun as children, that spark disappears in most adult lives. 

Most peopleā€™s growth curve stagnates after school.

We feel like our best years are behind us. And for most people, thatā€™s indeed the caseā€¦

But it doesnā€™t have to be that way.

Life in your twenties, thirties, and much later can be just as – if not more – exciting as your childhood and teenage years.

But it requires you to keep exploring and growing.

You see, continuous self-improvement stimulates the mind, body, and spirit. It gives you a sense of meaning,  joy, and accomplishment.

Personal growth is very rewarding.

Itā€™s also what transformed my life in many positive ways. And Iā€™m certain that it will do the same for you.

Self-improvement topics

While the starting point for everyone is different, there are common topics that form the foundational pillars of continuous self-improvement:

  • Self-awareness is the ability to understand yourself and align with your deepest values, personality traits, ambitions, and motivations.
  • Self-motivation is the ability to set empowering goals and take massive action despite fear, challenges or setbacks.
  • Self-management means managing your emotions and acting accordingly, especially in stressful and difficult situations. 
  • Habits are the foundational building blocks determining your success in any area of life. Develop many good habits and routines if you want an exceptional life.
  • Skill development is your ability to identify critical and other high-income skills and develop them quickly to achieve your highest goals and ambitions.
  • Productivity is your ability to identify important work and do more in a shorter period whilst maintaining high energy levels.

Later in this article, we will cover how you can set up a self-improvement plan to identify where to start.

Best books to better yourself

Reading books is one of my favorite ways of learning because itā€™s one of the most affordable ways to tap into the wisdom of experts and successful people.

And while there are hundreds of thousands of books on the topic of self-improvement, here are some of the best ones to get a head-start:

Want to dive even further into specific topics? 

Then check out this complete list of the best books on self-improvement.

63 Practical ways to start working on yourself

The following section will cover many practical ways to start your self-improvement journey. 

But do not pick up everything at once.

Instead, identify the item that will benefit your life the most. Then, take action on one item until it becomes a habit.

And then move on to the next habit.

Stacking habits like this enables you to create empowering routines that propel you toward success.

That said, letā€™s get some inspiration.

#1: Self-reflection

The definition of a meaningful and successful life varies per person. And only you determine what success and happiness mean to you.

Of course, everyone wants to be fit, wealthy, and have good relationships. 

But these generic goals rarely inspire greatness. For example, many rich people that ā€œhave it allā€ still feel unsatisfied with their life.

Simply more money, sex, luxury, power, and more of anything else isnā€™t great motivation.

Thatā€™s why self-awareness matters.

What do you want to achieve, and WHY? What are your deepest desires? What truly makes you tick? 

To get answers, you need to reflect ā€“ often. 

Here are some questions you can ask yourself:

  • Where are you today?
  • Whatā€™s most meaningful to you?
  • What would you like to achieve?
  • What person would you like to become?
  • And does your current situation align with the picture of your ideal life?

Learn more about self-reflection.

#2: Start a journal

Journaling is a powerful method for self-reflection. Itā€™s also an effective way to process your thoughts and emotions.

Writing organizes the mind in ways the thinking brain cannot.

The benefit of a journaling practice is increased clarity, self-confidence, and less stress and anxiety. You can make this a daily or weekly practice. Just stick to the habit and reflect on your entries regularly.

You can try one of the best guided journals. A perfect option for beginners and busy professionals is the The Five Minute Journal.

Get started with the 5-Minute Journal.

#3: Connect with nature

Connecting with nature is one of my favorite ways of taking a break. I often go for a long walk to reflect on my situation, desires, and progress.

When was the last time you connected with nature?

If you havenā€™t disconnected from the concrete jungle for a while, plan a day to reconnect with nature. Besides rejuvenating, it gives you:

  • More clarity; 
  • Higher creativity;
  • Better mood;
  • Lower stress.

Why not go for a brisk walk after reading this article?

#4: Develop a new habit

Your habits impact your relationships, fitness levels, earning potential, and the difference you can make. In other words, your habits determine your success.

So, how do you build habits?

The first step is to identify habits that will make a difference. Which ones are those, you ask? Well, that depends on your goals and desires.

For example, if you want to switch careers, you may want to develop new skills. Or, if you want a promotion, you probably need to upgrade your existing skills.

What if youā€™re not sure?

Well, try your best to identify them. Alternatively, you can always start developing good habits, like drinking more water or start exercising.

Or perhaps you want to read some of the best books on habits. If so, here are some of the best options:

#5: Create a morning routine

While everyone has a morning routine, only a minority is in control over theirs. 

You see, most people begin their day by snoozing the alarm just to have to rush to work. But what happens if youā€™re in charge over your morning?

For example, hereā€™s how I start my day:

  • Powerful breathing method for 20 minutes.
  • Breathing meditation for 5 minutes.
  • Visualization for 5 minutes.
  • Yoga and stretches for 10 minutes.
  • And then, I dive straight into my most important task for that day.

This routine empowers me. And by the time midday strikes, I already feel accomplished.

Will it work for you?

Maybe be yes ā€“ but likely not. The trick isnā€™t to copy anyone elseā€™s morning routine checklist ā€“ but to find what works for you and stick with it.

#6: Create a daily routine

Your daily routine reflects the sequence of activities for the entire day, not just the morning. 

For example, a common part of most peopleā€™s daily routine is watching television. But so is lunch and going to the gym after work.

If you never pay attention to your daily routine, itā€™s likely a string of unconscious habits.

But you can regain control…

Start by auditing how your current routine shapes your day. And then seek ways to mix things up.

#7: Take 100% responsibility for your life

The fastest way to reclaim personal power is by taking responsibility for your life.

But what if things arenā€™t your fault?

Well, youā€™re always in control over your response to any situation. What matters is how you play the cards you were given ā€“ not the actual cards themselves.

Taking responsibility sounds scary, but itā€™s one of the most liberating decisions you can take. It gives you the power to change your life for the better.

Learn more on how to take responsibility.

#8: Drink more water

While most people seek to make BIG changes, most people underestimate the minor ones. 

Drinking more water is such a change.

The benefits of drinking more water may surprise you, like: 

  • Better digestion;
  • More physical energy;
  • Improved mental clarity; 
  • And better functioning of the body in general.

Notice how much water you drink in a day. And if thatā€™s less than 15 cups, increase it.

#9: Exercise regularly

The self-improvement journey for many people starts in the gym, including me. 

Shaping the body is the most common self-betterment goal nowadays, whether losing weight or gaining muscle.

But there are more reasons to exercise.

Your health plays a crucial role in your success and in maintaining the energy levels needed for prolonged peak performance.

Now, you do not have to go to a gym for that.

The best approach is to find a sport or exercise routine you enjoy. And then do that consistently.

#10: Eat healthy foods

Eating the right foods is just as vital in sustaining high energy levels as exercise. After all, you cannot expect to get far with faulty fuel in the tank, right?

But what does a healthy diet mean?

Well, thereā€™s no single best approach to it. While there are generally accepted guidelines, the exact diet depends on what works for you and your lifestyle.

For me?

I aim to get at least 80% of my calories from healthy, unprocessed plant-based foods. And I stay flexible with the other 20% to enjoy chocolate, a pizza, or eat out.

This lifestyle helps me stay energized and fit without sacrificing all pleasures from ā€œjunkā€ foods.

Itā€™s a balance that works for me.

For you? Experiment with different meals and eating patterns. Identify what works for you and build that around your lifestyle ā€“ or vice versa.

Here are some great books to read if you want to optimize your nutrition and energy:

#11: Get enough sleep

While sleep was overlooked for a long time, itā€™s making a comeback. And for a good reason: sleep plays a crucial role in your mood and energy levels.

For example, if you sleep 4 hours a night which only allows you to work at 50% of your mental capacity, you effectively only get 10 hours.

Not to mention your mood during that dayā€¦

What if you sleep 8 hours and can work at an average of 80% of your mental capacity? 

Besides a good mood?

Thatā€™s about 13 hours effectively!

The math is simple. 

Optimize your sleep if you aim for lasting success and happiness in life. And, read this book to learn everything you need to know about sleep. 

#12: Take care of personal hygiene

The connection between self-improvement and hygiene is simple: When you feel good about yourself, it flows over to all other areas of your life.

Taking care of yourself is a form of self-respect that increases your self-esteem.

Itā€™s simple ā€“ but it works. 

Think about simple things like brushing your teeth and taking regular showers. But also take care of your skin and wear clothes that make you feel good.

#13: Explore passions

Your passions are the enjoyable activities that make you feel alive. You would do them whether youā€™re being paid for them or not.

And it makes time fly by.

While some people have (too) many passions and even enjoy them in their work, others struggle to find theirs.

If youā€™re part of the latter group, let yourself explore the many options of life. Here are some examples:

  • Learn a new language.
  • Develop an interesting skill.
  • Try out an activity that piques your curiosity. 
  • Go to a place that youā€™ve never been to. 
  • Try out a new sport or exercise routine.

The more you explore, the more things youā€™ll find that excite you. And keep in mind that your passions might change over time. So, always keep exploring.

Learn more about finding your passion.

#14: Do something creative

Most people live average lives. They do the same thing every day ā€“ and never spice it up. 

And thatā€™s perfectly fine.

But to stand out and be extraordinary, you must let your creativity go wild.

Whilst not everyone is a Mozart or Steve Jobs, everyone is creative in their way.

It just comes in so many formsā€¦

Think about being open to new ideas and looking at things differently.

Simply expose yourself to new experiences and ideas ā€“ and donā€™t judge yourself.

For example, travel to a new country, write a book, or try a new recipe. Or if you want to get some ideas, check out these books on creativity.

#15: Find your purpose

Having a purpose – or a reason to live – gives meaning to your life. It gets you up in the morning. And it makes your struggles worthwhile. 

For example, many people find purpose in having children. But there are many other great ways:

  • Improving the environment;
  • Banishing world hunger;
  • Improving global education;
  • Or preventing disease.

These are just a few examples of the hundreds of thousands of possibilities. 

The question is: what matters most to you?

Learn how to discover your purpose.

#16: Discover your strengths

The best strategy for personal success is to identify your strengths and double down on them.

What are your superpowers?

Your strengths give you a competitive edge in the marketplace, accelerating your success much faster than possible if you focus on weaknesses.

And, itā€™s more fun to focus on strengths too.

There are many ways to discover your strengths, but my favorite option is through a strengths test.

Read my review of the High 5 Test.

#17: Set goals

Self-improvement does not happen by accident. You need to be intentional about it.

And setting goals is perfect because it: 

  • Creates clarity and a sense of direction; 
  • Motivates you to take massive action; 
  • And allows you to track and measure progress.

I like to set massive long-term goals. And then, I follow it up with realistic short-term goals that become my stepping stones toward success.

Learn more about goal-setting.

#18. Craft a personal mission statement

A personal mission statement is a written declaration that describes the most audacious goal you set out to achieve. 

And it acts as a personal compass that provides a clear direction and helps you make decisions.

Missions are powerful.

Companies like Apple achieve massive successes because they have a strong mission statement. 

And the most inspiring individuals often have a clear mission too. Think about folks like Albert Einstein, Martin Luther King, and Elon Musk.

A personal mission is your highest priority that serves as your true north.

Learn more about a personal mission statement.

#19: Craft a personal vision statement

Closely related to a mission is a vision statement. The main difference is that the latter reflects not what you want to achieve but who you want to become.

What legacy do you want to leave behind?

What do you want others to say about you?

Just like a mission statement, a vision can serve as your moral compass and guide you when making tough decisions.

Learn more about a personal vision statement.

#20: Develop new skills

While every individual is equal, their value in the marketplace is not. And the fastest way to increase your value is by developing and upgrading your skills.

Your skills determine your success.

But what are good skills to develop?

Well, that depends on your goals. For example, you need exceptional programming knowledge and skills to become an exceptional programmer.

You can think about your skills in buckets:

  • Hard skills, like coding.
  • Soft skills, like presenting.
  • Interpersonal skills, like communication.
  • And general life skills, like self-management.

Audit your current situation and your goals. What skill would help you most in getting to the next level?

Then, learn all about it.

One of my favorite ways to learn new skills is through a course on Udemy. 

#21: Become curious

Curiosity is the mother of knowledge. And Albert Einstein is known for his quote: “It’s not that I am so smart, it’s just that I am more curious.ā€

The more curious you are, the more you will learn. And the more you know, the more you can improve.

Like self-improvement, there is no end to curiosity. 

Itā€™s a continuous, never-ending cycle that starts with a simple question: Why?

  • Why is it the way it is?
  • Why does this person think that way? 
  • Why does this company do things such and so?
  • Why is this person or country so successful?

The answers to these questions will open up a world of possibilities for you.

#22: Seek ways to provide value

One of the best ways to increase your worth in the marketplace is by providing lots of value.

Hereā€™s a general ballpark: Provide 10x more value than you seek in return.

There are many good reasons to do so:

  • It leaves an impact;
  • It feels satisfying;
  • And you will gain more rewards too.

Or well, the latter only counts if you give without the expectation to receive. Otherwise, it will backfire.

So, seek to add more value without expecting anything in return.

There are many ways to add value:

  • Start a business;
  • Do something nice for someone;
  • Help someone out at work;
  • Pick up an extra project;
  • Volunteer.

Start small ā€“ but make sure to continuously seek ways to provide value.

Here are simple ways to make a difference.

#23: Get a raise or promotion

Asking for a promotion or raise is scary. It requires courage and self-confidence. And you must be sure that you provided enough value leading up to it.

Thatā€™s also why itā€™s an excellent self-improvement goal.

It encourages you to provide value, raise your skill levels, and get out of your comfort zone to make the ask.

And while itā€™s not easy, the rewards are great.

#24: Start a side-hustle

You may have other ambitions than making the next step in your career. However, many people desire to start for themselves one day.

Does that include you?

If so, starting a side hustle is a great option.

A side hustle is a business on the side while keeping your day job. It allows you to earn some extra cash, but more importantly, to learn a new set of skills without the financial risk. 

After all, your job still pays for bread and butter. 

The comfort of a steady paycheck enables you to take your time to learn essential business skills. And it also allows you to make long-term decisions rather than short-term ones.

While starting a business is hard, a side hustle allows you to experiment and make mistakes. Itā€™s a great way to dip your toes in the water and develop the skills you need to succeed as your own boss.

Plus, itā€™s a lot of fun.

#25: Take massive action

The crux of self-improvement is that most people learn passively ā€“ and stick with that. 

And while you can read thousands of books and listen to all the podcasts, none of it matters if you donā€™t take action.

And most people struggle with that partā€¦

After all, taking massive action sounds easy ā€“ but itā€™s incredibly challenging. 

Youā€™ll need the courage to face your fears, patience during setbacks, persistence during difficulty, and consistency during boredom.

So, whatā€™s an effective strategy?

Start by taking small steps to create momentum. Then, keep expanding on that.

Remember that continuous self-improvement is about the journey you must walk yourself ā€“ not one you can only read about. 

Learn more on how to take massive action.

#26: Challenge yourself

Your comfort zone either expands or contracts. And seeking ways to actively challenge yourself is a great way to improve yourself. 

What is something scary or uncomfortable that you can do every day? 

It could be something as small as starting a conversation with a stranger. Or what about taking ice-cold showers for at least a minute every day?

The point is to make it a habit to put yourself in discomfort and push beyond your limits.

Learn more about overcoming challenges.

#27: Face your fears

One of the most common things holding people back from self-improvement is fear.

We all have our dragons to slay, whether that means asking for that raise or promotion, changing careers, or making the side-hustle your primary source of income.

Whatā€™s the BIG step you know you should take to improve the quality of your life ā€” but donā€™t? 

Thatā€™s your dragon.

And you must slay it.

Understand that itā€™s normal to experience fear. But also know that on the other side of it lies your greatness.

And the only way to get there is to face fear head-on. 

Learn more about overcoming your fear.

#28: Reward yourself

Your brain is wired to repeat behavior that provides pleasure. And rewarding yourself is a powerful psychological trick to condition yourself. 

First, identify what action you want to take.

Then, reward yourself immediately after taking action. You can use this approach to:

  • Take massive action;
  • Develop new habits;
  • Learn new skills;
  • And face your fears.

Reward yourself often but in small ways for tiny actions. And use more significant rewards when you slay the giant dragons in your life.

For example, if I take action on my goals during any given day, I will allow myself to watch some Netflix at night.

And if I crush my big goals, I will take out an entire day to walk through nature. Or better yet, book a holiday.

#29: Learn from your mistakes

If you seek continuous self-improvement, you will inevitably make mistakes.

The key then is not to avoid them.

But rather to learn from them so that you can avoid making the same mistakes again.

How do you keep track of it?

Journaling is a great way. 

Alternatively, you can find an accountability partner or someone you trust to discuss your mistakes.

Anyway, the point is to find a way to learn from your mistakes and avoid them from happening again.

#30: Micro speed, macro patience

When you look at your short-term goals, you should move fast and take lots of action. But for your most audacious goals, you should instil patience.

Gary Vaynerchuk calls this micro speed ā€“ macro patience.

Most people have it mixed up, though.

They procrastinate on their short-term goals and expect to become a millionaire overnight.

What about you?

Are you moving fast in the micro while staying patient in the macro? 

If not, awareness is the first step. 

Then, change your focus to taking massive action whilst staying patient with the results ā€“ especially if they donā€™t appear fast enough.

#31: Be persistent

Persistence is one of the most important factors for success. It separates those who achieve their goals from those who give up.

The good news?

Persistence is a trait you can learn.

The best way to develop persistence is by setting small goals and taking action until you reach them. 

Progress provides momentum, which motivates you to take more action. Once you get enough speed, you will find it much easier to deal with any obstacle and setback that come your way.

#32: Take breaks during extended periods of work

Your brain is not designed to focus intensely for a long time. And taking strategic breaks will increase your productivity throughout the entire day. 

Unfortunately, most workplaces incentivise you to work non-stop, except for a lunch break.

But if you can break free from that ā€“ do it.

For example, try the Pomodoro Technique if you work from home. Itā€™s one of my favorite methods because itā€™s so simple yet super effective. 

It works like this: Work for 25 minutes and then take a 5-minute break. Then, after 4 Pomodoro cycles, you take a more extended break of 20-30 minutes.

Not only will it keep you focused, but it also makes you aware of how you spend your time.

#33: Get productive

Productivity is a measure of how efficiently you use your time. Itā€™s a popular topic because most people want to use their time efficiently. 

But efficiency is only part of the equation. 

In addition, you want to identify and focus on tasks that yield the best results. And preferably, at the cost of the least amount of energy.

#34: Get organized

Organizing is a useful skill in your personal and professional life.

But what does it mean to be organized?

Being organized means having systems to keep things tidy in their place – and sticking to those systems. That way, you can easily find what you need.

And it also improves your focus.

A simple way to start is by decluttering your physical space. Then, work on creating systems for your daily things, like the folders on your computer.

#35: Be open to new experiences

We already talked about being more curious and experimenting more often. On top of that, you also want to stay open to new experiences.

Donā€™t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone when the opportunity arises. 

Meet new people.

Learn new things.

Titbits of spontaneity make life much more interesting. Plus, it encourages personal growth.

#36: Find a mentor

Sometimes, the fastest way to better yourself is through the guidance of a mentor or role model.

We all have role models at various points.

Your parents are your mentors in early life. Your teachers are role models while you grow up. And at a later stage of life, your boss might influence you in ways.

Perhaps not all of them were great, thoughā€¦

So what should you look for in a mentor?

Ideally, someone who has done or achieved the goal that you desire. And preferably, someone who is willing to mentor you.

But what if the latter isnā€™t the case? 

Sometimes, you can pay people to coach you. 

But a more creative way is to start providing value to them. For example, identify if theyā€™re working on a project and see if you have some skills to help them.

Anyway, finding mentors is a great way to move faster through the four stages of learning.

#37: Read self-improvement books

Self-improvement books provide a gateway into the mindset and wisdom of people you usually donā€™t have access to ā€“ for a bargain. 

And the best part? 

There are many books about every topic. Pick what you want to learn about and start reading.

Of course, passive learning alone isnā€™t enough.

You need to take action too.

But books can significantly shorten your learning curve and guide you. And I attribute my transformation to it.

Here is a list of the best self-help books.

#38: Learn speed reading 

If youā€™re like me, you will fall in love with non-fiction books. The problem? There are way too many books ā€“ more than you can read in even a 100 lifetimes. 

Thatā€™s why speed reading is a great option.

Not only will you get through more books, but you will also be able to speed-read articles, emails, and other pieces of written information.

And the best part is that you can learn this skill in a short amount of time. To learn more about it, I recommend this resource.

#39: Wake up early

I know, I know. 

Waking up early isnā€™t easyā€¦

But it does give you a head start, which allows you to get stuff done before most people get to work.

This is especially useful if youā€™ve got a job and youā€™re looking to develop new skills or create a side hustle.

What if youā€™re not a morning person?

Well, you can learn to wake up earlier, for which I recommend the following books:

#40: Become mindful of your thoughts

Your thoughts become your reality. 

Dwell on the negative ones, and they will become magnified. As a result, you will attract more of it. 

Learn to reframe the negative, and look for the positive, and youā€™ll become the master of your reality. 

Itā€™s that simple.

So, if you catch negative thoughts, reframe them into something positive. What can you learn from it?

Whatā€™s something good that came from the experience?

Thinking this way will take some practice, but itā€™s worth your time and effort.

Learn more about controlling your thoughts.

#41: Meditate

Meditation is a great way to calm the mind, relax the body, reduce stress, and increase clarity.

It focuses your attention on the present moment.

And it makes you more mindful of the thoughts that dominate your headspace.

Meditation is a simple yet powerful tool that is available to everyone. You can do it anywhere, at any time.

#42: Practice gratitude

Gratitude is a powerful emotion that can increase satisfaction. And, when you are grateful for what you have, you open yourself up to receiving even more.

But gratitude is not just a form of positive thinking. 

Itā€™s about feeling the emotions in your body.

One of my favorite ways is to visualize the things you feel grateful for. Try to really feel the sensation of gratitude throughout your body. 

Alternatively, you can journal about things you feel grateful for every day.

#43: Practice visualization

Visualizing is a powerful tool that can help you manifest your deepest desires or overcome your biggest fears.

The idea is simple: to manifest success, see yourself already in possession of what you want. Visualize what your life looks like and how it makes you feel.

To overcome your fear, visualize yourself taking the action youā€™re fearful of. Simultaneously, imagine yourself staying calm and composed.

In a sense, visualization is like a simulation.

Make sure to do it often (at least daily) to see its best results.

#44: Use positive affirmations

Positive affirmations are powerful statements you repeat to yourself to program your mind for success.

For example, ā€œI am wealthy.ā€

However, the idea is not to lie to yourself or make something up. Instead, acknowledge the situation and then reframe it positively.

For example, ā€œI am not wealthy yet, but if I focus on developing my skills and habits, I will be wealthy within 5 years.ā€

Such affirmations are believable. And when you repeat them often – combined with action – they will become your reality.

#45: Ask better questions

The quality of your life is determined by the quality of the questions you consistently ask yourself.

If you constantly ask yourself, ā€œWhy am I not good enough?ā€ guess what will happen?

Your mind will come up with answersā€¦

What if you ask yourself empowering questions, like, ā€œHow can I turn this into an opportunity?ā€

Guess what? 

Your mind still comes up with answers.

The difference is that these answers are much more empowering.

#46: Develop a growth mindset

Carol Dweck discusses this topic in her book, Mindset. 

In short, with a growth mindset, you believe you can improve and grow if you take action.

Thatā€™s opposed to the fixed mindset, which is the belief that you are who you are and cannot change.

The growth mindset is essential for self-improvement because it makes you see failures as learning opportunities. 

And it also gives you the motivation to keep going when things get tough.

Learn more about the growth mindset.

#47: Identify and break self-limiting beliefs

Your beliefs shape your reality. 

If you believe you can do something, you will. And if you think you canā€™t, you wonā€™t.

Itā€™s quite simple.

What is a bit more challenging is identifying and breaking your self-limiting beliefs? 

Common limiting beliefs are, for example, ā€œIā€™m not good enough,ā€ ā€œI can never achieve my dreams,ā€ or ā€œIā€™m not smart enough.ā€

These beliefs limit your potential, and you must break such patterns to take your life to the next level.

Learn more about self-limiting beliefs.

#48: Gain emotional intelligence

Your emotions play a crucial role in shaping your actions and decisions. Thatā€™s why you must master them if you want to live your best life.

Emotional intelligence improves your ability to handle stressful situations, your decision-making, and your ability to influence and persuade.

Here are some great books to improve your emotional intelligence.

#49: Learn to focus on your locus of control

Self-improvement is about taking control of your own life and making the best of it. 

That means identifying whatā€™s in your sphere of influence and taking full ownership of that. 

But it also means letting go of external factors you cannot control.

Learn to focus only on the things you can change. 

And then take action accordingly.

#50: Take decisions often

One of the biggest obstacles to success is indecision.

For example, your job makes you a comfortable living and thus, youā€™re hesitant to give it up ā€“ even when the work deeply dissatisfies you.

Or you should decide to go all-in on a skill or a business opportunity, but you just canā€™t take the leap.

But itā€™s also in small decisions.

  • The decision to work out ā€“ or not. 
  • The decision to eat ice cream ā€“ or not. 
  • Or the decision to learn a new skill ā€“ or not.

Identify what decisions hold you back from achieving your greatness. Which one causes procrastination?

And then, make it a habit to make decisions more often ā€“ and do so to the best of your ability at that moment.

#51: Practice kindness

A simple way of practicing self-improvement whilst making an impact is by spreading more kindness.

You can never go wrong with this one.

Today, everyone lives so much in their own bubble that a little bit of kindness can do wonders. Itā€™s a small act that can leave quite a mark.

And it only requires an intention to:

  • Smile more often;
  • Listen more attentively;
  • Compliment more often. 

Itā€™s that simple.

#52: Meet new people

Meeting new people is key to success and happiness.

It broadens your horizon, introduces you to new ideas, provides new opportunities, and is fun.

If youā€™re an introvert, this one may discomfort you.

In that case, you immediately have a way to challenge yourself as part of continuous self-improvement.  

Muster the courage to show up in places.

Talk to some new people. 

Do it often, and it will become easier. And, the more people you meet, the easier it becomes to find the right ones with whom you build unique relationships.

Meeting people is a numbers game.

#53: Build positive relationships

While meeting the right people is a matter of meeting many people, building relationships is about investing in your relationships. 

The right people will: 

  • Lift you up;
  • Support your goals;
  • Challenge you to grow;
  • And make you happier.

Once you meet great people, the next step is to build good relationships with them.

In other words, quality over quantity.

  • Provide support;
  • Offer a helping hand;
  • Support them in their goals;
  • Be positive and have fun.

Provide value to those you want to build a good relationship with. 

But remember that when you do, provide value for them ā€“ not because you seek something in return.

#54: Become a better listener

Listening is one of the most important interpersonal skills to learn ā€“ but not an easy one.

How often does your mind wander when youā€™re in a conversation? 

It happens to me tooā€¦

Or how often do you feel the need to interrupt?

Imagine your friend telling you a story about something that happened to them ā€“ and you did experience the exact same thing.

Can you keep quiet in such situations?

Or at least, can you listen attentively and let your friend finish the entire story first?

If not, work on your listening skills.

#55: Practice empathy

Empathy is the ability to understand and share the feelings of another person. And itā€™s a crucial skill to learn. 

Itā€™s helpful in your personal life.

But itā€™s also one of the most important skills if you want to get a role in the C-suite or start your own business.

Fortunately, empathy is a skill you can develop.

And the best way to do that is by putting yourself in the other personā€™s shoes and listening attentively. So make that a conscious practice for yourself.

#56: Do what you say youā€™re going to do

Another way to develop good relationships is to do what you say you will do.

Not only is it good for relationships with others, but itā€™s also useful for the relationship with yourself. Following up on your promises builds trust.

As a result, they are more likely to work with you ā€“ with many new opportunities as a result of it.

So ask yourself: how would you like other people to remember your name?

What should they associate it with?

After all, you only get one name.

#57: Develop self-discipline

Self-discipline is a crucial habit for success. And itā€™s the element that makes you take action even during tough times. 

Following up on your promises is part of self-discipline.

But thereā€™s more.

Self-discipline entails all the promises you make to yourself ā€“ including the silent ones. 

For example, if you tell yourself that you will work out tomorrow morning, follow through on that promise.

If thatā€™s challenging, stop making promises you canā€™t keep. Instead, start with small ones and build on them.

Learn how to develop rock-solid self-discipline.

#58: Manage your money

Money is often a taboo subject ā€“ even though it plays a massive role in everyoneā€™s life. After all, money relieves you from some worries and provides more choices and freedom.

The first step is to get a good overview of your financial situation. 

  • How much money do you have coming in? 
  • And how much is going out?

If you spend more than you earn, you must fix that. Your options are to cut costs, increase your income, or do both.

Then, you want to divide your income into buckets and set up a budget for essential areas, like this:

You can play around with these numbers, but you must know how much you spend and invest each month.

Of course, money is just a tool.

But if you donā€™t manage it well and fail to prepare for rainy days, you will never achieve financial freedom.

Here are some of the best books about the topic:

#59: Invest in yourself

To accelerate your growth curve, you must start investing in yourself, whether in new skills, knowledge, your body, or a mentor to guide you.

Thatā€™s also why we just created a bucket to put money aside to invest in yourself. That way, you become more motivated to actually do it. 

Some of the best investments you can make are:

  • A gym membership;
  • Eating healthy foods;
  • Investing in better sleep;
  • Hiring a coach or mentor;
  • Taking courses and attending seminars;
  • And, of course, reading books.

The key is finding ways to invest in yourself that feel good. But why not explore all options first?

#60: Create wealth

Creating wealth is not about stacking up lots of money. Instead, itā€™s about freeing time, energy, and resources.

Wealth gives you options.

It allows you to live life on your own terms.

And it sets you free from the worries that so many people are dealing with. 

So how to become wealthy?

Fairly simple, actually.

Rather than someone who only spends money, you must become an investor. Wealthy people invest in assets that produce income.

The easiest way to get started is through stocks. Or, if youā€™re young and very risk averse, cryptocurrency (just be prepared to stomach the swings). 

Thatā€™s it.

If you spend below your means and invest at least 10% of your income, you will become wealthy and experience financial freedom.

Itā€™s that simple.

#61: Donate 

Giving back to the community is one of the most rewarding things you can do.

That could be through money. For example, you can automatically donate 1% of your income to charities.

But you can also donate time.

Donating your time is a great way to make a difference because itā€™s a scarce asset. In other words, you can never get it back once you spend it. 

So, volunteering is actually a big donation.

Giving back feels good and helps create a better world for everyone. What local or global cause could you donate your money or time to?

#62: Simplify your life 

You may wonder about the relationship between continuous self-improvement and simplifying your life.

But itā€™s quite simple.

A cluttered life is a stressful life. 

The more you own, the more you cling on to stuff, and the more you have to take care of.

Also, the more expensive things you own, the more worried you will be about losing them. 

There is freedom in simplification.

One of the things I love about traveling is that I have to reduce everything to one bag. It brings you back to only the essential items in life.

Good books to read about this topic are:

#63: Travel

Did you know that traveling is one of the best ways for continuous self-improvement?

Itā€™s true ā€“ and fun! 

Traveling broadens your horizon and exposes you to new cultures, languages, and people. It helps you to get outside your comfort zone and grow as a person.

If you can take a longer trip, do it!

And do not be scared to go alone. Yes, itā€™s a little more uncomfortable. But guess what? That makes it a much greater opportunity for personal growth.

Itā€™s one of the best things Iā€™ve ever done. And Iā€™m sure itā€™s an investment you wonā€™t regret.

How to make a self-improvement plan

Creating a self-improvement plan is not rocket science ā€“ nor is it easy. You see, it requires self-awareness, honesty, consistency, and patience.

Thatā€™s why you should often reflect on your plan, reassess your goals, and redefine them if needed.

That said, hereā€™s how you can do it:

  1. Self-assessment: Where do you stand now?
  2. Set goals: What would you like to achieve? Whatā€™s most important to you? 
  3. Identify the gap: Whatā€™s needed to get from where you are now to where you want to go? Think about skills, habits, knowledge, connections, etc.
  4. Identify the next step: Based on the gap, whatā€™s the first thing you should focus on? Is it a skill or a specific habit? Or do you need a mentor to guide you along the way, for example?
  5. Create an action plan: How can you realize the next step youā€™ve defined? What are the exact steps you need to take to achieve that? 
  6. Take action: Now, itā€™s time to take action, achieve that step, and then, come back to these steps.

Of course, this self-improvement plan is quite generic, and perhaps, you want to customize it a bit.

However, the main point is that we covered many ideas for self-improvement ā€“ but in this plan, you bring your focus back to ONE element. 

Why?

Because it increases focus, motivation, and productivity while reducing overwhelm. 

In other words, It helps you stay consistent. And if you stay consistent, you will achieve your goals.

Conclusion

Self-improvement is a journey, not a destination. 

Itā€™s about becoming the best version of yourself and creating the life you desire.

Are you just starting out with your journey of continuous self-improvement? 

Then the best way to start is by taking small steps. Build tiny habits like drinking more water, exercising regularly, or reading more often.

Then, gradually build on that.

Experiment with interests, skills, and habits. Try out the flavors of life. See what works for you, and double down on that. 

Thereā€™s no perfect approach to self-improvement, so what are you waiting for?

Begin exploring and start working on yourself!

P.S. If you made it this far, I would love to have you as my accountability partner on my journey of continuous self-improvement. If you want to help me and get more content like this in return, then subscribe below!

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