Let’s start by acknowledging that you are fantastic just the way you are! Everything you’ve done and everything you are makes you...you, which is a pretty terrific individual!

That being said, if we are honest, there are things/areas that we would like to enhance or change on the road to becoming our highest and best self. Maybe it’s how you deal with challenges or what you do when confronted with a disrespectful colleague, customer or even a peer.

These little habits or tendencies may not only be frustrating, but they could also be standing in the way of you upward mobility opportunities. So, why let them?

Take a look at these five starter steps to self-improvement and feeling phenomenal about yourself.

1. Get to Know You

Yes, get to know you! We take for granted that we know what we want. Where do you see yourself in 5 years? What does your dream life look like? What’s your dream job? What are your likes? What are your dislikes? We can become so consume with day-to-day life that it can take years until we actually know who we are. Look at yourself objectively and ask yourself these questions:

• What’s my biggest motivator?

• What do I enjoy doing?

• Who are my biggest supporters?

• What are my core values?

• What do I worry about?

• What are my strengths and weaknesses?

One of the most important steps of self-improvement is understanding yourself. So, get curious about what makes you who you are. Once you become familiar with all the layers, you can start making the changes you need to improve.

2. Sleep Well

Your first obligation to self-development is your commitment to adequate and restful sleep. If you’re a night owl or just like partying, then you have to put your obligations first. It’s okay to go out with friends and enjoy a night out once a month. Yet, it’s a whole different ball game when you spend every night watching mindless hours of TV or scrolling through social media.

That’s ruining your cognitive abilities, as well as your physical health. Plus, this is valuable that could be used to enhance your skills or at least learn something new.

Getting that quality sleep will help you wake up fresh, energized, and ready to embark on a new day. Besides keeping you focused, and alert, good sleep boosts your immune system, reduces stress, and helps you maintain your weight. In addition, research demonstrates how proper sleep may be linked to lowering the risk of chronic diseases.

3. Work Out

Your physical well-being has a direct impact on your mental and emotional state. Therefore, being healthy is important to living a high-quality lifestyle and not fearing what needs to be changed or improved.

More importantly, through regular exercise and eating healthy foods, you fuel your body and mind. So, you stop aching all over and start feeling energized.

You can go up a flight of stairs without feeling like your heart is about to pop out of your chest. Walking becomes your new mode of transportation, and your clothes look better than ever on you.

Combined, these things factor in on how you feel about yourself. When you look good, your self-esteem gets a nice boost. You become more confident to try new things or meet new people.

4. Stay Curious

Make a habit of learning something new for the rest of your life. Being exposed to new ways of thinking and doing has the power of changing the quality of your thoughts.

You get to see things from a different perspective, which gives you insight into new information. As a result, you can start changing how you live for the better.

Being curious doesn’t always have to be for young, eager children. You can do the same thing at any age to help you stay alert and active.

After all, if we’re not learning and growing, then we’re ceasing to exist. Check out some ways to keep learning at any age:

• Read 1–2 books each week

• Take an online course

• Sign up for a class at your local community center

• Do something that scares you once a month

5. Celebrate Your Successes

Celebrate the little successes! Nelson Mandela said it best, “Remember to celebrate milestones as you prepare for the road ahead.” Make a habit of recognizing your hard work and accomplishments and the sacrifices you made to get there. Be proud of your progress and how you feel about everything you’ve learned in the process.

When you look back and know what you’re capable of achieving, you get a fresh insight into what needs to be tweaked or modified. Then, you can make changes where needed to keep moving forward and improving day by day!

Be intentional about becoming and being your highest and best self!

-Jo