If you want to optimize your life, a key thing you must have is the mindset of constant improvement. You need to look at different areas of your life and ask yourself: “How can I be better at this?” You should have the belief that you can be better and the desire to make it happen.
Once you have that mindset, you will open a floodgate of ideas. It’s like consciously thinking about red cars and then noticing a lot more red cars than you otherwise would. Similarly, having this mindset will make you notice a lot more ideas for improvement than you otherwise would.
Here are some tips to help you cultivate this mindset of constant improvement:
1. Find your role models.
To improve a certain aspect of yourself, you should find at least one role model in that area. These are people who already possess the qualities you desire. Why do you need them? Because having a concrete example is much better than just having an abstract idea. It’s also more motivating because you know that someone else has done it.
To give you an example: when it comes to the act of reading, my role model is Theodore Roosevelt. I learned about his reading habits in his biography and find it inspiring. Because of his example, now I know what it takes to be a voracious reader.
2. Take notes of your ideas.
Whenever you see something that can be improved or learn how to improve something, don’t forget to write it down. There are at least three reasons why this is important:
- You won’t lose the idea.
- You free up your mind for creative thinking instead of remembering.
- The ideas will cross pollinate and produce new ideas.
3. Prioritize what to implement.
Getting ideas is one thing, but implementing them is a different thing. The fact is: you can’t implement all of them. Your capacity is limited, so you must prioritize what to implement.
To prioritize well, you must have clarity over your life. That’s why it’s important that you invest time in clarity.
4. Make incremental changes.
Not only should you carefully select what to implement, you should also implement them gradually. Don’t be too drastic because it won’t last. Do it step by step.
For instance: if you don’t have a habit of exercising currently, just start with a simple plan. The important thing is that you stick to it and then go from there.
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It’s simple, but having this mindset of constant improvement will boost your personal growth. You will look back at yourself years from now and notice how much you have grown.
So what do you think? How do you improve yourself?
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I like the idea of implementing change … in increments. This is an application of “Baby Steps” (Have you watched the movie, “What about Bob?” lately? It’s really GREAT — for laughs and for making this point about the requirements for effective change.). If you find yourself sensitive to getting overwhelmed, in my experience, incremental-steps-for-change is THE Way to go!
I completely agree, Marlene. By the way, I’ll check out the movie. Thanks for the suggestion!
Thanks… These are really great tips to improve ourselves step by
step. And pen down all the important points are one of the important because
sometimes critical things skipped through mind.
That’s right. That’s why writing down your ideas is essential.
I improve myself, at least attempt to, by striving to work hard even when nobody is looking. This breeds consistency and hopefully a work ethic that will last.
It also boils down to integrity. If I work as hard as I can then I am being true to myself and I know that I am moving towards my goals!
Really good points, Jamie. Thanks for sharing!
One of the ways I seek to improve myself is to take quality-time in designated seasons to get away. Almost like a retreat, I go over my goals, look at where I’m at, and also where I need to go. // good post!
Good idea, Robb. Thanks!
I really enjoyed this post! I think it so important to continuously evolve as a person, both personally and professionally.
One area of my life that I constantly strive to improve is my time management skills. It is so important to make your time count. Besides ideas, time is another one of your most valuable currencies in this life. I want to be as productive as I can in both my professional endeavours and meaningful relationships. Productivity in the latter to me means making time for poignant experiences and being fully present in them. I am always seeking improvement in this balance!
For myself, the best steps to improvement are self-reflection and awareness. You mention the importance of taking notes of your ideas and similarly, I find I have to take notes of my improvement ideas/goals to move forward.
I’ve also found that being in the mindset of constant learning is very powerful. Once I subscribed to the mentality that “there is always something to learn,” I have found myself to be more open to ideas and opportunities I maybe would have dismissed otherwise.
Thank you for the post. Enjoyed reading it. I strongly believe persistence is the key to keep sustaining until you have changed the way you perceived it.