How to Improve Yourself Every Day

Whilst most people consider self-improvement as something dramatic that you do on a New Year’s Resolution, most people who improve the most will do so by making small improvements. Whilst improving by just 1% may seem like nothing on any given day, it can add up to make massive differences over a few months and years.

The first step in making improvements in your daily life is to realise that consistently making small improvements will always beat having occasional big improvements.

If you do not have a clear goal for your improvements then all you will be doing is wasting your time. Spend a few moments being quiet and think about who you want to improve to be.

Maybe you want to be less stressed, become more proficient in your skill, be healthier or more present with your loved ones. Write this down in simple terms. This will act as your guide to help you decide what habits to focus your limited energy on.

Often how you start your day can impact how your day goes. You do not need to create a complicated routine at 5am, however it is great to have some time for yourself in the morning. This could be doing some light stretching, going for a walk, reflecting, reading a few pages or planning your top priorities.

Avoid using your phone as soon as you wake up as the second you open your feed you are giving someone else control over your attention. Starting your day by taking your time will show your brain that you are in control of your day.

Learning is the key to improving. Try to learn a new piece of information every day. This could be a word in another language, a new technique in your field or a new idea from a thoughtful book. All you need to do is spend 15 minutes focusing on learning. Over the course of a year you will have spent over 90 hours learning intentionally. Try to apply what you have learnt where possible.

To improve your mind you must take care of your body. Try to get a good amount of sleep, go for a walk or workout that you actually enjoy each day and eat well.

You do not need to be perfect but you need to take care of yourself so that on your average tired days you are still creating a base for yourself.

Reflection is what makes us wiser, not experience. Every evening take 5 minutes to ask yourself 3 questions. What went well today? What could you have done better? What will you do differently tomorrow? Keeping a short journal will make this easier.

This will also help you to see how far you have come when your motivation is low. Reflecting will turn your everyday days into learning opportunities and keeps you honest.

There will be days where you do not complete your goals. You will lose streaks, lose focus and make the same mistakes. However it is important to be kind to yourself. If you are being harsh to yourself you will lose energy to try again.

However if you are kind to yourself it will be easier to get started again. Try to be honest, patient and encouraging to yourself like you would be to a good friend who is putting in the effort but struggling. Try not to miss out twice. One mistake is an accident but two will create a new habit.

Conclusion

Improving yourself everyday isn’t about being perfect. It is about consistently choosing to improve a little bit.

By defining who you want to be, creating your own morning, learning, taking care of your body, reflecting honestly and forgiving yourself you will create a quiet system that will change your life. Start today by completing one small action and tomorrow’s you will be grateful that you did.