Self-improvement is something everyone should pursue. This will make you feel overall happier, more satisfied, and give you the feeling of achievement while bringing development to your life.
Unfortunately, some people only realize that an overhaul of their lifestyle is sorely needed when something major happens to them.
In my case, it happened when a bout of gastroenteritis got me rushed to the hospital and I had to be checked by one of the best gastroenterologists in Singapore.
It was then that I realized, as I was in a hospital bed and in pain, that I had to improve my habits – not just physical ones, but also unhealthy mental patterns that have been ingrained into me. Life’s too short to spend unwisely!
That was how I took tiny steps and started my journey to self-improvement. I learned how to become a better version of myself, and now, I’ll share my tips for that with you.
Self-Care
Sometimes, you’ll overlook taking care of yourself. It may be as simple as forgetting to change your pajamas or not brushing your hair… or it could be something such as not eating or working yourself to death.
Don’t ignore yourself. Try to establish small habits to take care of yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally.
Keeping a checklist is a good way to track things if you’ve forgotten them. Set alarms if you constantly forget to eat, for example. Taking time off to let off steam is also a good way to take care of yourself because it helps you reassess things before going back into the action.
And if you feel a little bit off, don’t ignore what your body is telling you. If there’s anything I learned from my stint in the hospital after gastroenteritis, it’s that taking care of your health matters.
Stop putting off those things you “always meant to do” for your health. If sinus problems have been bothering you for years, for example, go ahead and see a good Singapore ENT doctor! Why put it off any further when your discomfort may only get worse if you do?
Establish Boundaries
Needing to learn what you can tolerate and acknowledging what makes you feel uncomfortable or stressed is the first step to establishing boundaries. The next step is learning to say no to people.
When you’re tired, uncomfortable, or simply don’t feel like doing something, turning things down is a good thing.
Saying no or denying others at some point may give you a short-lived bout of guilt. But if you don’t put your foot down, it will eventually cause you to burn out or become extremely resentful.
Establishing boundaries is a healthy way to help you become a better version of yourself. It can stop you from doing things you may regret later on.
Learn the Art of Apology
There are people who do not know how to apologize properly. There are those who fumble and end up deflecting blame or not taking responsibility for the misgivings they’ve caused.
So, I’ve broken down what makes a good apology. Here are three simple steps to apologizing properly:
I’m sorry/ I won’t do it again/ How do I make it up to you?
Remember that saying “I’m sorry” means the acknowledgement of your actions.
Prevent yourself from saying “I didn’t mean it” right after saying sorry. Your actions may not be intentional, but that doesn’t take away the hurt from the person you caused it to. Saying you didn’t mean it avoids acknowledging responsibility.
Promising that you won’t do it again is to assure that you’re taking measures not to repeat mistakes, while saying “How do I make it up to you” is trying to make up for what you’ve done.
Learning this art will drastically improve not just yourself, but your relationship with others
Stop the Fear of Failure
We can never stop the future from bringing us disappointments and failure. A failed exam, a job rejection, a relationship that’s been cut off – all of these are things that make us feel this kind of fear.
But the thing is, failure is a part of life, and the insights given to us by failing can be used to turn us into the best versions of ourselves.
To overcome this, you need to analyze potential outcomes. You have to accept that even though there’s a possibility of losing, you’ll try anyway.
Because remember this: it’s when you don’t even try to rise to a challenge that you’re truly defeated.
Anyway, those are some simple ways on how to become the best version of yourself. Basically, you have to remember that giving yourself healthy mental patterns and a different mindset can help pave your way to a better version of yourself.
