How To Be Your Best Self
The concept of becoming one’s 'best self' means different things to different people. I believe in the term 'Kaizen' which means continuous improvement and for me, I have a huge aspiration for achieving great things, and to be a better person. But I can't do that or reach my goals unless I train my mind to be free of negative thoughts, and to become the best possible version that it can be.
The first step towards realising the best version of yourself is understanding who you are, accepting that person, and moving forward from a place of love and self-respect. Ditching traits such as comparisons with others will free you up to develop your own unique self into its best expression.
This all takes time, and nothing ever happens overnight but I promise you that if you follow the steps below, whilst staying driven, you will see improvements and become your best possible self. Have a read through the list and consider other ideas that you would include. Then have a think about one or two small changes you can make today to be the best possible version of you.
1 | STAY POSITIVE
The power of positive thinking can have a huge influence on your life. A person with a positive mindset is able to write negative events off as an incident and take the chance to learn from their mistakes to avoid these bad happenings in the future. The very first step towards a more positive attitude and optimistic thoughts is to detect your negative thoughts from the outset.
You need to be aware that you have the fullest control about every one of your thoughts. Pessimistic thinking is only a negative habit that has been developed over many years. But every negative habit can be changed into a more positive one, trust me! I used to be the biggest negative nancy, mainly due to all my stomach issues, and feeling as though nothing was ever going my way. But as soon as I changed my mindset, and stopped the negative self-talk, everything wasn't as bad as it seemed, and I could actually start enjoying life.
2 | STAY PATIENT
Anything worthwhile and of importance cannot take place right away. It takes time, dedication and effort to achieve; so even in this day and age, patience is a virtue. Practicing patience requires you to have perseverance and determination. It demands that you take a deep breath and let go of your own impatience to help solve a problem. Don’t be in a hurry. Respect and embrace the process.
When you learn and practice patience you don't get as angry, stressed or overwhelmed. You are more in control of your emotions and in a better position to deal with difficult situations with ease and poise. This promotes longevity and makes you a happier, healthier person.
3 | STAY GRATEFUL
I've said it before, and I'll say it again, always have an attitude of gratitude. Spend a few minutes in gratitude every day (I usually do this first thing in the morning). Remind yourself of even the smallest blessings in your life. Allow the emotions that accompany everything you are grateful for to rise to the surface. This will heighten your sense of gratitude and happiness.
4 | STAY KIND
When you're having a shit day, sometimes it can be super hard to be kind to others, and often times you just want to be left alone. But a little kindness can go a long way, and being kind eventually makes you happier, and turns your shit day into a good one. Give people the benefit of the doubt. It helps to remember that they might be struggling too. And remind people in your life how much they mean to you, and give back to the people who give to you.
Ask yourself how you can be a better friend to people or better support them. Work on making yourself a little more accountable to the people around you. Sometimes this starts by talking less and listening more or being our more authentic selves with those around us. I like to perform random acts of kindness each day. This can be anything from giving a simple smile to a stranger, opening the door for someone, or offering a work colleague some tea.
5| STAY HUMBLE
I have learnt that confidence is key to getting ahead in life. It helps you do better at work, in relationships, and meeting new people. However, overconfidence, can make you seem like you're full of yourself. We all know that one person that thinks they are the coolest, and uploads 1384657235 selfies every single day, and truthfully, we all dislike that person to some degree. So, while confidence is essential, it's important to stay humble as well.
Nice people finish first in life and achieve more than those who are selfish and bitter with the world. Avoid criticising and judging others by not assuming anything; know it’s not about you, and pretend to walk in their shoes to see the situation from their perspective.
6 | STAY ORGANISED
The organising of tasks allows you to reach a maximum of efficiency in your daily life, which means you can perform at your best. Try to keep a clear focus with a well-organised system in order to organise your professional and personal life. For me, I have always been incredibly organised and strive when things are all in place. Often times I get so overwhelmed at all the jobs I am doing, but the one thing that makes everything stress-free is when I am super organised and prepared.
And if there is one thing that I will never get tired of, it is writing a list. It helps me focus my mind and schedules my day out so I know what exactly I need to focus on first. The work load in the office can seem daunting, but writing a list everyday is actually beneficial for you (you should see the amount of notes I am constantly writing on my phone and in my notebook). It will help release any worries of uncompleted assignments you think you might forget, and it will give you a jumpstart to your day in the morning. Not only will it keep you more organised, but it will boost your brainpower, too.
7 | STAY FOCUSED
When you employ the attitude of being your best self, and your focus is toward the highest good, your sense of who you really are will get stronger, and you will get more out of life. So learn to focus your mind. When you can focus your mind, you can more easily reject worries and anxieties, refuse to think negative thoughts, and reduce the constant chatter of your mind.
8 | STAY PRESENT
When was the last time you stopped and appreciated your surroundings, and connected with life? All too often, our minds are filled with regrets or doubts about our past or fear and anticipation of the future. We forget that we can only live in the moment and that each moment is a new beginning and a chance to start over. Try to bring your attention to whatever you’re doing, moment to moment, and as best you can, immerse yourself in that experience without judgement.
9 | STAY ACTIVE
Being active is so crucial to becoming your best self, and my biggest advise is to get up early, as it’s a whole lot easier to take the day by storm if you get out of bed instead of wasting the day away. For me, I am a morning person, and love getting up early and going to the gym or going for a sunrise walk, or even a morning swim at the beach. I feel much more productive and energised when I start the day this way, plus it makes my body feel good too.
I have also realised that after having sooo many stomach issues over recent years, that being more active and listening to my body has really helped. Your health is so important and should be your main priority in life. Taking care of your body is not just about pushing yourself harder at the gym or running a marathon. It can equally be about tuning in to your body to learn about what you need most in a given moment and discovering the lifestyle that best suits you. After all, every body is different, and you have to take the time to learn what works best for you.
10 | STAY DRIVEN
Everybody wants the good life, but not everybody gets it. The difference between the people who get what they want from life and the people who don’t comes down to one word – motivation.
It takes motivation and drive to work towards something most people won’t achieve. Ever since I decided to take a different path, and actually work on creating excellence in my life by establishing a positive daily routine, not only do I get more accomplished than I’ve ever thought possible, but I also feel 100 times better and motivated while doing it!
Something that has really helped me with my journey, is surrounding myself with positive people who continue to motivate me. I also follow several influencers that aren't afraid to speak up about their issues, and strive to become the best version of themselves.
I hope these 10 simple tips help you in some type of way, and you feel inspired to become the best version of your self. Let me know in the comments below if you have any other tips, or if you have any questions, as I'd love to hear from you!
