What do you really want out of life? What are your self-improvement goals? Is it a higher rank in the workplace, a more loving relationship, or your own successful business? Humans are wired to want to “do better” because in the past this led to a stronger chance of survival. That’s why growth is so addictive. A desire for self-improvement to lead us to better our lives is one of the best ways to get ahead.
No matter what you’re pursuing, self-improvement goals are a critical part of your progress and happiness. But all too often our efforts at self-improvement fail. We aren’t sure which direction to head in, so we end up stumbling around hoping we’ll just happen upon the job, relationship or life we want. If you’ve ever fumbled through a dark room in search of a light, you know this “tactic” often fails.
Self-improvement ideas aren’t enough. You need to get clear on what you want and why – and have actionable strategies that can get you there.
Self-improvement is any activity or goal that enhances your quality of life, helps you reach your full potential, or leads you to realize your dreams. Improving your knowledge, skillset, character or mindset are all good ways to move toward your self-improvement goals. The important thing is that you are growing as a person. Why? Because if you’re not growing, you’re dying. Growth is one of our Six Human Needs and is essential to living a fulfilling, happy life.
AREAS OF SELF-IMPROVEMENT
Ready to create self-improvement goals, but not sure where to begin? Start assessing these areas of your life.
CAREER
Whether you want to open a business or earn a promotion at your current company, there is always room for improvement in the workplace. Learn a new skill, attend an immersive business event or connect with a mentor who can help you identify your strengths. If you want to improve your career, you must work for it.
RELATIONSHIPS
Relationships are the bedrock of your life. Quality relationships lead to a more fulfilled and happy life. Whether it’s your relationship with family, friends, coworkers or your romantic partner, they are all critical for happiness. Take a look to see how your relationships can benefit from strong self-improvement goals. Can you deepen some of these bonds? How can you be more present for your loved ones? Whatever you can do to strengthen these relationships is going to benefit you in the long run.
FINANCE
Financial health is an important segment to consider in your personal improvement journey. There is nothing stopping you from learning how to manage your money better. Learning how to attain financial freedom is a fine place to start in your self-improvement journey. A lot of stress can stem from financial worries. Eliminate those worries by learning how to best manage your money.
HEALTH
Your body will function far better with more energy. The better your body functions, the more you’re able to achieve in your life. You can strengthen and build up emotional, physical, and mental health. Fuel your body and mind with healthy food, extensive knowledge, and positive thoughts.
Need help identifying areas for improvement? The Tony Robbins Wheel of Life Assessment can show you how to get to where you want to be. From there, you can use these self-improvement tips to get started on the path to success.
HOW TO SET AND ACHIEVE SELF-IMPROVEMENT GOALS
Setting self-improvement goals is about raising your standards and getting to work. You can do that by getting total clarity on your vision for your life, then relating your goals back to this purpose. Here’s how to achieve your self-improvement goals.
1. IDENTIFY YOUR OBJECTIVES
If you don’t have specific goals in mind yet, think about what you ultimately want to accomplish. Picture yourself one year, two years or five years from now: What are you doing? Where are you? Who are you with? How are you relating to others? Hone in on where you are and where you want to be. What do you want, and why? Where focus goes, energy flows. When you have absolute clarity on what it is you want, you’ll stop at nothing to achieve your self-improvement goal.
2. ESTABLISH YOUR PURPOSE
It’s easy to say, “I want to move up at my job and make more money,” but why? To create lasting change, you must connect your self-improvement goals with what will ultimately bring you the most fulfillment. Do you want to excel professionally so you can provide for your family or is a higher-earning job a way to pursue your other passions? Is being a wonderful parent important to you because you had a rocky childhood? When you have your ultimate purpose in mind, you won’t be deterred when problems or plateaus arise – and you’ll find you have the strength to work through them.
3. BREAK DOWN YOUR LIMITING BELIEFS
Limiting beliefs are one of the biggest obstacles to self-improvement. If you spend a lot of time questioning yourself or even putting yourself down, you’re getting in the way of meeting your goals and improving your life. Pay attention to your self-talk and change negative words to empowering statements. Thinking about yourself in a more positive way sets the stage for you to improve the way you treat yourself and others.
4. SET SMART GOALS
Once you identify your end goal, you can work backward to generate the landmarks you’ll need to hit to attain it. Make sure you’re following the SMART goal-setting process: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic and within a Timeframe. If moving up at your job is your self-improvement goal, then your immediate tasks could include taking classes or gaining certifications that are helpful in your field. If you ultimately want to become a better parent, then learning how to better communicate with your child is something to work toward in the short term.
5. TRACK AND CELEBRATE YOUR PROGRESS
Setting metrics that allow you to measure your success is essential to creating and achieving SMART goals. To give yourself the best chance at self-improvement, give yourself clear objectives to hit, like taking a certain number of professional courses in a set period of time. This will help you can track your self-improvement. When you reach your goals, celebrate your wins. Go as big as a spa day or as small as a champagne toast with your partner. Taking the time to recognize how far you’ve come will fuel you to go even farther.
6. GET INSPIRED
Surround yourself with people who are also driven to be the best. Find out their self-improvement strategies and emulate them. You can also work with a business coach or results coach, depending on your goals. Surrounding yourself with positive people feeds your drive, but don’t forget to feed your mind by taking in new information. Read a self-help book. Take educational courses on interesting subjects. Make the time to bring new and stimulating ideas into your life.
7. MASTER A NEW SKILL
Still, stuck on personal improvement ideas? You could be in a cycle of certainty – and it’s time to get out of your comfort zone. Expanding your skillset with something entirely new, like learning a new language or how to play a music instrument, pushes your brain to make fresh neural connections. When you master something new, you discover that you can master even more. You’ll develop a growth mindset that will make you truly unstoppable.
8. USE THE RIGHT TOOLS
We often let self-improvement fall by the wayside because we don’t have the time. But the number of hours in the day isn’t the problem. Work on your personal improvement in a smart way. Use strategies like chunking and Tony’s Rapid Planning Method to help you get more done. Writing down your goals and dreams can also make them more real to you, cement your drive and help you cultivate a sense of mindfulness so that you’ll continue working toward your goals even when you face challenges. The benefits of journaling for self-improvement are endless.
9. DOWNLOAD AN APP
Self-improvement apps are popular and effective tools that can help you stay inspired and keep you accountable.
LUMOSITY
Want to sharpen your brain? Lumosity provides you with access to games and puzzles to help keep you mentally clear. Boost your brain by tapping into this app daily.
DAY ONE
Is journaling part of your self-improvement process? Day One allows you to enter text, photos, and videos and provides you with reminders, graphics, and more. With your journal right on your phone, it takes away any excuses about finding the time or locating a journal.
MYFITNESSPAL
Is improving your health part of your areas of personal improvement? MyFitnessPal tracks your exercise and diet routines as you work toward your fitness and health goals.
HEADSPACE
Breathe in, breathe out. Headspace brings meditation and mindfulness to your smartphone, helping you relax and recalibrate wherever you are. You’ll be more motivated and energized to work on your self-improvement goals when you’re in a good space mentally.
BREAKTHROUGH
Tony Robbins’ app, Breakthrough, brings you the best Tony Robbins content – no matter where you are. Watch videos, read articles, and use interactive tools that help you excel in all areas of your life.
Achieving your self-improvement goals is not difficult, but it does take hard work. Put in the time, starting now, and your future self will thank you.
Source: tonyrobbins.com ~ Image: Canva Pro