1. Be Your Own Best Friend
Being your own best friend means taking responsibility for yourself. It also means cutting ties with negative people who only bring drama and unnecessary stress into your life.
Being your own best friend is a gift that lasts for life, and you can always count on yourself. Treat yourself with the same compassion and encouragement you give to others. Love the unique person staring back at you in the mirror!
2. Keep a Journal
Keeping a journal can help you become more self-aware and reflect on your past experiences. It can be anything from a simple recap of your day to an essay about your emotions.
Building a new habit takes time, so it’s important to set aside enough time to write in your journal. A great way to do this is by setting a timer.
3. Take Care of Yourself
Taking care of yourself is crucial to maintaining a healthy and balanced lifestyle. You can practice self-care in many different ways, depending on your individual needs. For example, you may choose to prioritize sleeping more or establishing relationships with loved ones.
While some may see self-care as selfish or indulgent, it is actually a preventive measure. It allows you to be your best self when those around you need it the most.
4. Make Time for Reflection
Reflection is a critical component of personal growth. It involves consciously stepping back and seeing a problem from multiple perspectives.
The managers Badaracco interviewed often used reflection as a way of trying to vividly imagine the everyday consequences of their choices. They also reflected on their own character, beliefs, and values. Taking the time to do so can help you understand why you make certain decisions.
5. Make a List of Your Goals
A list of your goals can help you create a future that you design. It’s important to share these aspirations so that you can hold yourself accountable and feel the rush of checking off accomplishments on a regular basis.
Personal goals can be big or small — the important thing is that they are measurable so you know when they have been achieved. The more specific they are, the more likely you are to succeed!
6. Make a List of Things You Want to Do
Whether you’re making a to-do list, packing for your next trip or creating a bucket list, writing lists can help you take steps towards your goals.
One expert recommends that you start with your “MITs” or most important tasks, marking these at the top of your list so they are more likely to get done.
Make sure your lists are clear and easy to read so you can cross them off when they’re completed.
7. Write a Letter to Your Future Self
Writing a letter to your future self is a powerful exercise that encourages self-reflection, goal setting, and personal growth. It can be helpful to focus on the positive aspects of your life and identify new goals that you want to work toward.
Choose a time when you are alone and free from distraction to write your letter. You can choose a time frame of one year, five years, or even ten years.
8. Practice Self-Care
Practicing self-care can help you feel more healthy, happy and ready to take on life. It doesn’t have to be an elaborate event and can even be as simple as eating less sugary food or meditating.
You can practice self-care in four different dimensions of wellness: mind (mental/psychological), body, heart and spirit. Each person may have a different set of activities that work best for them.
9. Make a List of Things You Want to Do for Others
Practicing generosity is one of the best ways to feel good about yourself. You can do this in a number of ways, such as donating to a cause you care about or volunteering at a shelter. You could also write a list of things you want to do for others, like wipe down the leaves of your houseplants or paint a mural for a neighbor.
10. Learn a New Skill
Learning a new skill is a great way to break out of a boredom rut. It can also help you beat procrastination by giving you something to focus on other than Netflix or the news.
Remember, however, that it takes extreme commitment to learn a new skill. It is also important to set realistic goals for yourself.
For example, Josh Kaufman, a rapid learning expert, recommends practicing your new skills within four hours of going to sleep.
