Starting something new can be scary and hard. Especially when that thing you’re starting is improving yourself. It can feel overwhelming and scary to admit we aren’t perfect and have so much that needs to change. That can distract us from actually taking action, but remember that just because we are driven to change, does not mean that there is anything wrong with us. Your desire to change is not rooted in any fault or problem with who you are, but rather a simple recognition that we are not who we can be and a purposeful calling to cultivate ourselves into incredible people who accomplish incredible things. Don’t ever let the part of your mind that is comfortable with your position deceive you into thinking you’re meant to stand still.
There is countless writing about productivity, happiness, and success that all carries a similar thread: curiosity. If we are curious about what could be, we are naturally inclined to explore it. The same is true for wanting more from yourself and your life. Our curiosity will build until we take action.
But where to start self improvement? The prerequisite is wanting to improve. so congratulate yourself for taking the initial step to even explore what could be. What’s next is a series of 5 steps that will help you make those first actions in the direction of change.
If you’re like me and you find joy, assistance, and structure from writing things down, check out the Will4Will “A Goal without a Plan(ner) is a Wish”. This planner uses scientifically developed and proven strategies to help you crush your goals. The planner will walk you through these steps and help you track and visualize your progress. Download the digital version to use on your devise, or order the hardback version for the tactile, ink and paper approach. Whichever you prefer and will support your habits is the right choice.
Here are 5 tips to start self improvement. Start with #1 but 2-5 can be done in any order and readdressed as you see progress and learn.
- Explore why you want to change.
You wouldn’t be seeking self-improvement if you had everything you ever wanted and are 100% the person you want to be. Something inside you is telling you to change. Ask yourself why. Why are you unsettled? Why do you want to change. Why do you not have what you want? The answer to all of these will help you identify your desire for self improvement. Understanding your desire will help you identify what you want to change. We start with why, rather than what, because ‘why’ reveals our intentions whereas ‘what’ relates to outcomes and it’s important to align our intentions to our outcomes to see lasting change and improvement.
How many Christmas’ are mired by opening gifts that are played with for a week then discarded. This is because we misunderstand intentions. Kids want excitement and fun and tearing open gifts to reveal something shiny and new is fun. After a while, that excitement and fun can wear off, hence tried and true cycle of Christmas gifts.
Get your why aligned with your what. I intend to find financial security so I want an emergency fund. I intend to find a partner so I want to be a better partner. I intend to have more fun on the weekends so I want a convertible to drive.
2. Learn from experts.
Chances are, if you’re having a desire to accomplish or change something, someone has done exactly what you’re trying before. This provides an incredible resource. At no other time in the history has more information been as accessible. We have such an incredible opportunity to learn from people who came before us, have done what we want to do, and can teach us lessons to eliminate significant challenges and speed up our process. Tap into that.
My favorite resource for learning is Audible. Access some of the greatest books on self help, development, success, business, and on and on. Listen to books and podcast that can help you learn how to accomplish your goals anytime you have your phone.
Absorbing knowledge shared by experts and players in your interests is the single most powerful shortcut to success you can ever tap into. The power of the internet makes it so easy that there really isn’t any excuse. It can be done on your schedule, your device and at your convenience. There really isn’t any excuse.
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3. Break it down.
You know where you want to end up, but maybe you’re not quite sure how to get there. Break your goal down into smaller components until you have confidence you can accomplish each task. If you’re not sure you can accomplish a task, try to break it down even further. If you don’t know how, look for more information using step #2.
It’s the old adage: How do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.
Here’s an illustration. If your goal is to build a house, you don’t just buy all the materials and supplies and expect to move in. There is an order and process to building that anyone can conceptualize even if they don’t know the intricacies of HVAC installation. Where do you start? The foundation is probably a good place, followed by the walls, then the roof, then the windows and doors, and on and on. Don’t know how to build a foundation? Me neither, but I assume it deals with digging holes in the ground for the foundation to sit in, right? Every step is broken down further and further until your task list reads very simply: Pick out nail. Hit nail with Hammer into wood... etc. It may sound dumb, but the simpler it is, the sillier you’ll feel for making excuses not to do it. You can see how building a house just becomes a long series of tasks that build into components of the house. Break your goals down in the same way.
4. Make a plan
Once you have a list of the tasks, organizing those tasks into a plan gives you a roadmap to follow. Think through the order not just in terms or chronological, but also in terms of sustainability, outside influences, and what brings you joy.
You want to map a plan that recognizes that your motivation won’t always be at its peak. There will be times that your motivation will wane, but you’ll still need to make progress. Think about the tasks you can do with high and low motivation and structure your plan to account for times when you anticipate your motivation level.
You also want your plan to recognizes your life outside of your task. Yes, we want you to be focused, but you also have a life, and that life is why you’re improving in the first place. Don’t schedule the hardest tasks for the days you’ve got a lot going on and don’t schedule the easy tasks for days when you can focus on challenges. It’s generally best to tackle hardest tasks first thing in the morning with your whole day ahead of you, but adjust as you learn when you find your groove.
Joy is a significant piece of both motivation and inspiration. Use it as fuel, by sprinkling joyful tasks into your plan to help you stay motivated and moving forward. They don’t even have to be tasks directly related to your goals. Using joy helps you avoid burnout and overwhelm.
Make a plan, but also make a plan that you’ll use and will keep you going.
5. Build a routine.
Any of the experts on productivity and success that you find while utilizing step #2 will tell you the power of routine.
Routine is simply making a habit of the tasks you accomplish regularly. Think about the things you do routinely already. Waking up at the same time. Morning shower, breakfast, coffee maybe? You don’t even think about them anymore, you just do them.
Making your tasks routine is the fastest way to compound your efforts. You won’t fight your mood, schedule, or will power to accomplish your routine. Once a task is a part of your routine, it’s there.
Now it’s not always easy to get a task there, especially at first. So here are some tips:
- Stack your task with an existing routine. Want start making to-do lists? Put a notebook by your coffee maker and jot some tasks while you wait for your coffee to brew.
- Schedule it. Want to start writing consistently? Add a ‘Do not Schedule’ block to your calendar so you can build the routine around your existing calendar items.
- Set a series of rewards. Want to start eating healthy lunches? For every 10 days in a row you eat a salad or bring your lunch, treat yourself on day 11.
Building as many of your daily tasks into routine will make them habits and when they’re habits you’ll see an immediate easing of the will-power needed to accomplish them and an exponential improvement with their repetition.
Remember these 5 steps aren’t intended to be in any particular order. Sometimes you’ll get to the planning stage and realize your goal isn’t connecting with your desired outcome. Your plan may have to change with your life circumstances. What you learn may change the routines you find you need. The point is to stay nimble and flow between these 5 steps as you need to.
Just don’t quit. Keep going. Run into something you can’t solve; keep trying. Complete a task and don’t have your desired outcome, make another plan. If you use these 5 steps, you will be successful.