Have you ever heard any investment advisor saying – ‘Money kept in the savings account depreciates over time unless we keep investing our money?’
This advice is taken as gospel by people who have a keen eye on asset building and wealth management. And we all agree and try to adhere to it as much as we can even though we are aware that ‘investments are subject to market risk.’
But what happens when it comes to our own health and knowledge base? Are they not the best asset we have? The valuations of these assets do not come down even if the stock market crashes. And the investment that we make on these assets is certainly not ‘subject to market risks.’
I’m sure you couldn’t agree more with what I just said. Now, think about it. When was the last time you considered doing something for your personal growth?
If this question is thrown at ten people, nine out of them will give back a blank expression. This is precisely the reason you are here today.
We are here to discuss 15 easy and practical personal growth tips that you can incorporate in your life despite your busy schedule.
1. Take Baby Steps
The first self-improvement tip for an absolute starter would be to take one step at a time.
Start incorporating just one activity in your existing routine, set a fixed time for it, and pursue it diligently. It will help in habit formation that, in turn, will help you to set bigger goals and achieve them too.
2. Practice Kaizen
No matter how good you are, there is always scope for improvement. Kaizen is a concept that harps on continual improvement. It helps you to improve personal growth, reinvent your potentials, enhance productivity, and achieve excellence in your craft.
3. Find Your Ikigai
There is one buzzword that has been making rounds, particularly in the productivity niche – Ikigai.
It is a Japanese concept to find optimum joy and fulfillment by striking a balance in our day to day life. It is about finding that one thing in life that propels passion and excellence in your life.
Going by this concept, the best self-improvement idea would be to find your Ikigai and then find out a way to express it in the best way possible.
4. Take Up A Course
‘Change is the only constant’ – we have heard it so many times. And we can feel it in the way the businesses have changed worldwide. Our college education will not keep us covered for the rest of our careers.
If we want to have a successful career, we have to upgrade our knowledge base to remain abreast of the evolving scenario at work. Attend seminars, workshops, and take up courses that will help you to spruce up your professional skills.
5. Make Reading A Daily Habit
Reading means differently to different people. For some, it is an escapade, for others, it could be fantasy, and for some, it is a very potent tool for personal growth. The book you pick helps to shape up your life. Hence, while we say that make reading a daily habit, it is also crucial to chose the right book.
Few Books To Triggers your Self Improvement
- Ikigai: The Japanese Secret to a Long and Happy Life by Albert Liebermann and Hector Garcia
- The Secret by Rhonda Byrne
- Think and Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill
- How to Win Friends and Influence People by Dale Carnegie
- The 4-Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferriss
6. Pick A Hobby
The best way to improve your productivity in your profession is to engage yourself in something completely different from that.
A creative or athletic activity will spruce up your mental abilities to grasp, think, and analyze better. It will also help you to heal emotionally and keep you away from distractions.
7. Move Your Body
It is not for nothing that they say – “Health is wealth.” And the process of building this wealth starts with our body. Eventually, it impacts our mind and attitude towards our work, relationships, and life as a whole. Hence, let go of procrastination and start your day by energizing your body and mind through some sort of physical exercise.
8. Meditate
“Touch your inner space, which is nothingness, as silent and empty as the sky; it is your inner sky. Once you settle down in your inner sky, you have come home, and a great maturity arises in your actions, in your behavior. Then whatever you do has grace in it. Then whatever you do is poetry in itself. You live poetry; your walking becomes dancing, your silence becomes music.”– Osho
The inner silence gives us the strength to deal with outside noise and clutter. It helps to strengthen our endurance level and prepares us to be happy and complacent at every stage of our lives.
9. Respect Your Time
The way you make use of your time is truly a game-changer. There are umpteen YouTube videos, motivational podcasts, articles, blogs, and books on the importance of time. But reading, watching, and listening to the lectures is one thing and executing it in your day-to-day life is a different ball game altogether.
‘Being on time means being there 5-10 minutes before the time’ – we have heard many elderly people uttering these words.
And the only way we can respect time is by abiding by this advice. Once again, this is all about habit formation. So work on this vital habit formation if you want to see yourself moving up the ladder.
10. Plan An Adventure
“If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine, it’s lethal” ~ Paul Coelho
Why do you think people feel accomplished after reaching the highest peak of a mountain? It tears up all your muscles – that of your body as well as your mind! And what you get after that is truly a new and improved version of yourselves.
Venture out without any purpose. Just explore, discover, and seek adventure in what lay ahead. Gatecrash the unknown and reinvent yourself in a new way. Climb a mountain or dive in to touch the seabed – do whatever it takes to feel alive.
11. Practice Gratitude and Affirmation
“Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.” – Eckhart Tolle
Expressing gratitude and practicing affirmation is the best way to remind ourselves that we are blessed and need not worry about anything. Whatever we have ever wished for has been granted and will always be granted as long as we learn to acknowledge them will all our hearts.
12. Lend A Hand to Someone in Need
“You have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you.” ― John Bunyan
No matter how impoverished you may think you are, you can still lend a helping hand to someone. It is not always that money or material objects that you give out for charity that counts. There are several ways to make a positive difference to the people around you. Being able to help someone will help you to feel worthy and respectful in your own eyes.
13. Measure Your Personal Growth
Just like the decreasing numbers on a weighing scale motivates you to work out harder, set new fitness goals, and go for it, measuring your growth and improvement as a person and as a professional also helps you to move ahead with renewed vigor.
Segregate your mind, body, and profession. Set small goals and check if you have been able to achieve them. And then start comparing from the time you had started till now. Ask yourself the following questions:
- Are you dealing with the same issues that bothered you before you embarked on your journey of self-improvement?
- Do you feel more calm and contented than you felt three-four months back?
- Are you able to manage time better than before?
- Are you passionate about setting new goals?
14. Fill Your Cup First
Self love – Mother of all self-improvement ideas that you must learn. Believe that you are the best in all your endeavors. Give a pat on your back for every attempt you make as you keep improving at your craft or in your relationships. Be compassionate to others, but do not leave yourself out.
Self-improvement is a constant process. There can never be an end to it. Because stopping would only pull you back, it will depreciate your value. Hence keep at it.
Let us know your favorite personal growth tip that work best for you.
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