For many of us, the New Year brings a sense of a “new me”. Most of us strive to keep improving and growing. This pursuit of constant self-improvement can bring about great positive change in our lives.
However, it can often get overwhelming, right? Perhaps you might recall deciding to change your life on previous New Years’, but still being in the same place the next year.
If that’s you, you are not alone. It takes time and intentional energy to rewire our habits and our behavioral patterns.
So am I saying you just give up? Not at all!
However, it’s crucial to keep in mind the most important factor in the journey of self-improvement: consistency.
Rather than trying to change your entire lifestyle in one go, start small, and aim for baby steps that add up. As the Microsoft founder Bill Gates once said,
“Most people overestimate what they can do in one year and underestimate what they can do in ten years.”
Here are four simple activities to get you started on your self-improvement journey!
4 Simple Self-improvement Activities
1. Stick to an Exercise Routine
Exercising consistently not only has myriads of benefits for your physical health, but also for your mental health. Exercising builds your immunity, keeps you healthy, makes you stronger, boosts focus, increases self-confidence, relieves stress, keeps you motivated, boosts self-discipline, and the list goes on. In addition, exercising releases endorphins, a hormone that triggers a positive feeling in the body. To summarize, exercising is like a wonder drug that’s good for you and helps you feel great!
2. Plan Your Goals Then Schedule Time to Work on Them
If you don’t know where you are going, you won’t get there. Thus, the key to growth is to set clear goals and periodically reflect on how far you have gone towards them. Take some time to write down your goals, and then revisit your goals every week or every month, to ensure you are on the right track.
3. Journal
Journaling is one of the most effective ways to build self-awareness, stay focused on your goals, and increase feelings of gratitude and happiness. Whether you have a gratitude journal or just write a flow of whatever comes to mind, having a consistent journaling practice helps you connect with yourself.
4. Develop a Consistent Morning Routine
Creating a consistent morning routine is one of the habits that every successful person has developed. A morning routine sets you up for a successful and productive day. It’s up to you whether you decide to hit the gym or spend an extra 10 minutes in bed silently drinking tea. However, having any sort of morning ritual can help ground you and mentally prepare you for the day.
Bonus Tip: The morning is a great time for incorporating other self-improvement activities. Journaling, planning your goals, and exercising are especially beneficial at the start of the day to help you start off your day on the right foot!
Overall...
As you incorporate these simple self-improvement activities into your daily life, it will get easier to grow and add in new habits. But remember, don’t try to do everything at once. The key to success is consistency, and that starts with easily do-able steps. Personal growth is an ongoing journey towards a healthier and happier you. Try out these simple tips and see how you grow!
Do you have any personal improvement suggestions? Let us know in the comments below!