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28 Self-Improvement Secrets to Improve Yourself & Transform Into Your Best Self

Do you want to become a better you? Follow these self-improvement steps and find out how to be your best self.

how to improve yourself - self-improvement

Do you feel like you’ve reached the peak of your laziness and have hit your ultimate low? Do you want to find out how to improve yourself? 

The good news is, if you’re searching for answers about self-improvement, you’ve already taken the first step to becoming a better you. Once you realise your life isn’t ideal, you can start working on making it better. 

Plus, if you’re at your lowest point, there’s nowhere to go but up! This feature will show you the secret steps you can take to live your best life. Let’s learn how to improve yourself! [Read: How to focus on yourself – 27 ways to make your own sunshine]

What does it mean to improve yourself?

Self-improvement means becoming a perfected version of yourself. It means becoming the person you’ve always wanted to be; somebody more knowledgeable, confident, strong, and skilled than the current you.

Sure, self-improvement might seem like a meaningless buzzword. Because it’s such a hard idea to define, many people try and use self-improvement as a way to sell fake remedies and useless “life hacks.”

If you’ve tried these, you might be thinking that improving yourself is a waste of time. To you, self-improvement means papering over the cracks, following shallow advice like “smile more” or “laugh often” that only leaves you feeling frustrated.

[Read: Positive self-talk – how to master it and hack your mind]

However, self-improvement is actually a very meaningful idea that can completely transform your life. Working on yourself means changing everything for the better. That includes your relationships, your body, your mind, and your spirit.

Why is it so important to know how to improve yourself?

Do you feel like you’re stuck in one place right now? Maybe you feel as if nothing is changing, for better or worse. Sometimes, when nothing happens to us, it can feel worse than misfortune.

This is because, as human beings, it’s important for us to move forward. If we get stuck in one place, we start to languish instead of thrive. Languishing is that dull, stagnant feeling that makes you think: “I’m stuck in a rut.”

[Read: How to be confident – 28 life hacks to transform your future]

However, there is only one way to break that feeling. And that’s self-improvement! By learning a new skill, working on your confidence, or hitting the gym, you can restart your growth and begin to thrive.

It’s time to take action and take charge of your well-being. By making the decision to improve yourself, you’ll start to feel more empowered and like you’ve got things in life to get excited about again.

So, that’s why it’s so important to know how to improve yourself. [Read: Low self-worth – how to see yourself in a better light]

How to improve yourself

But how do you improve yourself in practice? For some of us, it’s going to be something as simple as just taking a shower. Trust us, we’ve all been there. But once you’ve done that shower, keep on going!

So, let’s get some ideas going on how to improve yourself. Here are our practical steps to help you become the best version of yourself.

1. Acknowledge your need to improve

If you’re sitting on your couch, wearing the same clothes you slept in, maybe you should be asking yourself some questions about your life.

Now, if you don’t see this as an issue, you haven’t yet reached enlightenment. If want to actually improve, you need to admit you need to improve. Once you’ve reached the point of acknowledgment, you’re good to go! [Read: Self-sabotage – the little things you’re doing that make your life so much worse]

2. Face your fears

We all have fears. They can be anything from sharks to clowns to gaining weight. Maybe they’re not the deepest of fears, but no matter what your fears are, they’re clearly holding you back from achieving your potential.

So, what you need to do is face them. Listen, only you have one life to live. So fight for your happiness!

3. Confront your mistakes

We’ve all f*cked up. We all make mistakes daily. However, to improve yourself, you need to admit your mistakes. That’s the only way you’ll be aware of what you need to work on.

Plus, if you make the same mistake again, you’ll be prepared next time. But try to change the path you’re going down. [Read: How to build self-confidence – the best ways to realize you’re worth it]

3. Set goals

Now, let’s not make these goals too big and grandiose. Baby steps, people! Set achievable goals. It could be to join a gym and work out twice a week or call your mom every Sunday.

See, they aren’t big things! But they’ll make big difference in your life. You don’t need some five or ten-year plan, either — keep it short and sweet.

5. Work on being honest

This is probably the hardest thing to do. You need to be honest with yourself because it’s the only way you’ll start doing the things you actually want to do.

If you don’t want to go on that Tinder date, just be honest. If you just got dumped, be honest with yourself about the relationship. Honesty isn’t fun, nor is it easy, but it’s very freeing.

6. Cut out the bad

If you really want to know how to improve yourself, start by cutting out the bad. Just cut it out – rip it off like a band-aid.

Do you have a friend that leeches off you for everything? Cut them out. Are you a smoker? Stop buying your daily pack of cigarettes. If there are additional stresses in your life that are completely unnecessary and avoidable, then cut them out. [Read: The bad friends you should unfriend from your life]

7. Write every day

You may think this is lame or that the idea of having a journal or diary is pointless. But think of it as free therapy.

If you have a journal, you’ll be able to write your deepest, darkest feelings in a space where you’ll never be judged. So, make it a goal to write at least once a day, even if you have nothing to say.

8. Don’t quit after you complete a goal

So, you lost those pesky five pounds, or you got the job you always wanted. But now what? What’s your next goal? What will be your next achievement? You can’t just stop there; you still have more fight left in you. So, keep going!

9. Focus on what you really want

What do you want? Think about it, what do you really want for yourself? When you figure that out, do everything you can to get it.

Focus everything on it, and don’t get distracted by drama, boyfriends, or girlfriends. Stay on track. [Read: How to smile more often – these small steps will change your life forever]

10. Take a couple of minutes every day for you

With how fast-paced life is, you’re probably busy. Those Facebook notifications just popped up on your phone, and someone on Instagram is messaging you a meme. But take a couple of minutes and put your phone away.

Then, use those minutes to think about yourself, how you’re feeling, and your goals. It’s so easy to get distracted, but two minutes a day helps you stay on track.

11. You’re going to make mistakes

This one is probably the most important thing to know when it comes to understanding how to improve yourself. You’re going to make so many mistakes.

But don’t call them mistakes. They’re more like things you wish you didn’t do, but you did, and now you just have to keep moving forward. So, these “mistakes” you’re going to make are simply learning opportunities. Think of them that way.

12. Try something completely new

You can’t self-improve if you’re doing the same old routine over and over again. Why not just try something new? It doesn’t have to be completely out of your comfort zone, but take a class that sounds interesting to you. Does it matter what it is? Not at all. [Read: The exposure effect – why something familiar isn’t always better]

13. Spend more time with supportive people

Listen, there’s really no point hanging around people that don’t love and support you. If that’s what you’re doing, then you’re being self-destructive.

So, if you really want to improve yourself – if you really want it – you’re going to have to surround yourself with people that motivate you to be the best version of yourself. Anybody else needs to be cut out.

14. Nourish yourself with healthy foods

This is where we talk about food. We know you love Big Macs; you’re only human. And we love them too! But at the end of the day, you are what you eat. So, you need to improve your menu too.

Start eating clean, and you’ll notice your body will feel better – physically and spiritually. It doesn’t have to be about losing weight; it can just be about appreciating your body.

15. Go out

People usually think self-improvement means they have to stop going out. They think they’ll have to live a life of purity, like a monk or a nun. That’s not the case! In fact, you should be going out and having fun. Why not if that’s what makes you happy?

Remember that you still need an outlet to let loose and have a good time. Meet new people, laugh, and enjoy life—isn’t that what life’s about? [Read: 20 lifestyle decisions to make for a better life]

16. Volunteer

We know, who wants to work if you’re not getting paid? It’s understandable why many people don’t volunteer, and it’s true that it takes a lot of goodwill.

However, volunteering at a dog pound, beach-cleaning group, or a refugee center can be a humbling and profound experience. For once, you’re not doing something for yourself. And this can be a huge factor in developing gratefulness and humbleness. [Read: Powerful ways to be someone who always says, I love my life]

17. Make time to rest

Did you know that getting eight hours of sleep a night has huge health benefits? It can improve your concentration, help you lose weight, and even make you happier. This is why it’s so important to make time to rest if you want to improve yourself. [Read: 21 common couple sleeping positions and what they mean]

18. Read more books

Reading books is one of the most powerful ways to expand your mind. In a book, you can find new experiences and learn new things that’ll enrich your life going forward.

If you’re not into reading story books, try some non-fiction. There are thousands of amazing self-help books out there that’ll give you even more strategies to improve your life.

19. Physical exercise

Getting enough exercise is just like getting enough sleep; it’s essential to living a healthy life. And a healthy life is an improved life! [Read: The benefits of exercise for your mind, body, and libido]

So, joining a gym and working out often is one of the biggest changes you can make to improve your life. Even if you can’t join a gym, just make little changes like taking the stairs instead of the elevator or going for a daily walk.

20. Start a gratitude practice

Practicing gratitude is a powerful way to be actively thankful for the good things in your life. You wouldn’t accept a gift without saying thank you, would you? So why don’t you thank the universe when it gives you something positive?

Try simple gratitude practices like noticing good things, doing something nice for your favorite people, or keeping a thankfulness journal.

21. Try meditation

Meditation isn’t just for hippies. It’s also a useful technique to improve yourself. Study books about meditation, or look it up online to learn some simple routines. You can even get free guided meditations on Youtube! Meditating often will help you feel more grounded. [Read: How to be present – the guide to finding your zone of calm]

Meditation can also be a part of your gratitude practice. Try focusing on something you’re thankful for, clearing your mind, and basking in the positive energies. Feels refreshing, right?

22. Spend more time outdoors

Go out and enjoy the beauty of mother nature! Spending time outdoors is very calming and helps relieve the stresses and strains of everyday life. Just a short walk on the beach, in the park, or through a forest will never fail to boost your mood.

23. Practice saying no to assert your boundaries

The ability to say no is a huge part of self-confidence. However, for many of us *especially women or shy people*, “no” isn’t something we’re taught to say often. We’re afraid of seeming mean or like a killjoy.

Yet saying no is one of the most powerful self-improvement tools around. If you can say no, you’ll be able to cut the bad people out of your life much more easily. And it’ll prevent you from giving in to peer pressure or falling into bad habits in the future. [Read: How to take care of yourself emotionally and avoid falling apart]

24. Clean for 30 minutes

Tidy space, tidy mind. Take some time cleaning your home and making sure everything is in the right place. Not only will this feel therapeutic, but it’ll also make your place look better. There’s nothing like a clean house to make you look *and feel* as if you’ve got your life together.

25. Watch and listen to positive media

It’s hard to feel positive if you’re listening to doom metal all day. Sure, this might be your favorite genre of music. But maybe it’s time to look for something a little more upbeat – just until your mood improves.

Seek out positive media and music. If you can make sure you’re only putting positive stuff into your mind, it’ll be easier for you to focus on making positive changes in your life. [Read: Build your self-confidence- how to realize you’re worth it]

26. Socialize in person

Put your phone down and socialize IRL. Since we all got smartphones, fewer and fewer people have had the benefit of socializing face-to-face. This builds your confidence and makes you feel more self-assured. If you want to know how to improve yourself, one easy step to take is to switch off your devices.

Also, social media is well-known to be terrible for your mental health. Perfecting your online profile is a waste of valuable time, which you could spend improving your offline self.

27. Fix your money habits

Nobody likes being broke. Trust us, there’s nothing worse for your self-esteem than having no money. So, take a look at your bank statements and purchase history.

Try and find out where you’re making the mistakes that leave you flat broke. Then, work out new ways of spending that money that’ll help you on your self-improvement journey.

28. Get better at time management

Remember, YOLO! You only have one life, so don’t waste your time on things that don’t improve you.

Start to work on scheduling and planning your time better, so you have enough free time for self-improving activities like hobbies and socialization. Good time management is crucial if you want to improve yourself. [Read: 25 honest self-reflection questions to reveal the real you]

When to seek help

A lot of the symptoms of depression can appear similar to those of being stuck in a rut. If you’re depressed, you’ll feel low, run-down, tired, and hopeless. Also, you may even feel suicidal when you think about your life.

If you feel any of these feelings or are considering ending your life instead of improving it, it’s time to seek help. Get in contact with a doctor or therapist, and explain your feelings to them. This isn’t something you should face on your own.

A medical professional will be able to give you the therapy, help, and support you need to live a happy life. Depression doesn’t mean things are over for you; you have the power to overcome it. All you need is a little help.

Still wondering how to improve yourself? Well, just start with these little steps, get up off the couch, and give it a go! The changes may seem small, but they’ll all add up to something huge.

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Vinod Srinivas Serai
Vin Serai
Vin Serai is the founder of LovePanky.com, and has delved deep into the working of love and relationships for almost two decades. Having dipped his feet in almo...