The beginning of the new year is a great time to take stock of your life and see if you are growing, stagnating, or digressing. Since people seem to love lists I've decided to put together my own list for personal growth. Perhaps you have suggestions to add to my list and I welcome all suggestions. Please feel free to share so long as you give credit and realize that this is copyrighted material.
Twelve Ways to Self-Improvement©
12. Take time for reflection. Whether its through meditation, keep a journal, or quiet introspection, taking time for reflection helps you to gain perspective, re-frame situations and problem-solve creatively.
11. Mind your manners. It's the small courtesies in life that impact others in a big way, like remembering to say 'good morning', 'please', 'thank you', 'you're welcome', and holding doors open for others (including elevator doors). It's shocking how "common courtesy" is no longer common to everyone, let's try to get back to being courteous and minding our manners.
10. Cross the line. Ever heard the quote, "If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything?" You've got to know where the line is drawn in the sand, in order to cross it!
Clarify your personal values and beliefs. Be willing to have the courage of your convictions and stand up for what you believe in.
9. Keep it real! Don't try to fake it 'til you make it; or be an imitator, perpetrator, or inauthentic. Being inauthentic eats away at your credibility and besides who wants to have the reputation of being fake?
8. Don't blame, complain, vent, whine or sulk. Don't look for fault in everyone else, re-frame how you view the world. Whining, sulking, complaining, venting and blaming others is just not attractive. No one wants to hear it anyway. Stopping this behavior will make you happier, feel less stress and be a more enjoyable person to be around.
7. Lead with integrity. Your word is your bond and your bond is only as strong and reliable as your word. Therefore, when you give your word you should keep it. Do what you say you will do, the way you said you would do it, and when you said you would do it. And if you can't do it, then don't promise you will. Enough said.
6. Lighten up! Don't take yourself or anyone else too seriously! Learn to let go and really laugh! Often times, the situation is funnier than you think, and if you don't believe me, think back on the things that upset you (petty annoyances) can you laugh about them in hindsight, if so - then I'm right, things are often never what they seem.
5. Volunteer. When you help others, you help yourself - because it makes you feel good, connected and engaged. It's also a great way to develop new skills, network with others and broaden your horizons. Volunteering is a win-win for all involved.
4. Read more. Reading helps us expand our vocabulary, relax, become more creative and gain knowledge. And if you're reading to children or the elderly, you've found a way to share quality time with others.
3. Practice gratitude. Be grateful for what you have and more importantly for what you don't have. Generally giving thanks can lift depression and lead to better physical, mental, and spiritual health.
2. Be present. Don't live in the past or in the future. The only time you live is in the present - NOW! Make the most of it. Being present improves social skills, your creativity, you worry less, it releases stress, and generally helps you make the most of situations.
1. Be a lifelong learner. It keeps your mind sharp, your skills on point, and helps you to continue to grow spiritually and mentally. Lifelong learning opens your mind, creates curiosity, increases wisdom, make you (thereby the world) better, helps you adapt to change, keeps you involved as active contributors to society, leads to personal fulfillment, and if nothing else helps you meet new people and establish new relationships.
Enjoy and be blessed!
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