Many of us strive each day to become the best version of ourselves. As a result, the self-help and coaching industries are mutli-billion dollar industries. Stepping into your greatness, I feel is, is one of the best things you can do to best serve yourself and others but what’s the best way to do it?
In this blog, you will learn 10 things you can do, starting today, that will help you become the best version of you. Take a moment now to take an inventory of your life. Do you enjoy what you’re doing for work, or do you go to a job that you dread going to each day and struggle to make ends meet financially? Are you in relationships, romantic or otherwise, that are loving, supportive and happy or do you find yourself feeling unloved, unsupported, unhappy and uninspired? Do you have goals and dreams that you work towards each day or do you sit around in self-pity wondering why you aren’t where you want to be in your life?
I get it! Talking an inventory like this can be a real wake up call but it may be just what you need to get up and take the steps necessary to step into the life you truly desire.
Here are 10 ways you can become the best version of you:
1) Practice More Gratitude
What’s the first thing you think of when you hear the term, “practice gratitude?” You probably think of writing in a gratitude journal or reciting the things you’re grateful for in your mind each day. Those are all great things you can do to help you remember what you are grateful for but the most basic way to practice more gratitude is to simply say, “thank you.”
Anytime you are interacting with people give thanks. For example, I’m often the cook in the house but sometimes my boyfriend will make a meal for us. When he does, I always thank him. If he takes the dog out, I thank him. If he helps me with anything, I thank him. If a co-worker offers me assistance or goes out of their way to do a great job, I thank them. When I’m at the grocery store I thank the clerk who has helped me obtain my groceries. The key here is to not get complacent and forget how important saying thank you and giving gratitude is in your life and to the people you give thanks to.
I was taught that it’s proper to have manners. To always say please when I asked something of someone and to say thank you for anything anyone ever did for me, no matter how big or small.
Start practicing gratitude today. If you feel like you’re already practicing gratitude, great! Take a look at where you might be able to give more. Saying thank you never gets old and it certainly can’t ever be overused.
2) ILT – Invest, Learn, Teach
The next thing you can do today to become the best version of you is to use the acronym ILT. I didn’t know what this was when I first heard it from Ray Higdon but it stands for: Invest, Learn, Teach.
Invest in yourself by buying and reading books, taking courses and going to seminars and conferences. Once you invest in these learning opportunities make the most of them. Soak in as much of the information and teachings to learn as much as you can. Then, when you learn the material, rather than just taking notes and filing them, never to be seen again, teach the concepts to someone. By doing this, you will make an impact on someone who perhaps wouldn’t have otherwise had the chance to learn the information. You will always feel better when you’re serving and supporting others.
For example, the information I’m teaching you here today I learned from a business course I purchased from The Higdon Group. I follow a lot of Ray Hidgon’s work and often share his inspiration, knowledge and teachings with others, especially though social media. His work inspires and helps me immensely so I know it will help someone else so why not share it?
If you are a business owner or entrepreneur, the best thing you can do for your business is to invest in yourself. This investment will allow you to grow and become better and sharing the products and services you have that will help others. If you have a team of people, this is a promos opportunity. Invest in yourself, learn the material and teach it to your team. Whether or not you are a business owner you can share what you’re learning with others by converting the information to online content such as live or recorded videos, blog posts, podcasts, social media posts and so much more.
Think about the last time you invested in yourself by purchasing a course or reading a great book. What did you do with the information when you were done? Did you just say to yourself, “huh, well that was fun,” then shut the book and never thought of it again. Or, did you put it into practice by using the information to teach or help someone else? If it’s been awhile since you’ve invested in yourself, learned something new and taught what you know to someone else then now is the time! What are you waiting for?
3) Forgive
The third thing you can do right now to become the best version of you is to forgive.
Dr. Michael Beckwith says that “forgiveness is giving up the fact that the past could have been any different.”
Think right now about all the experiences and dramas that happened to you in the past that you are still holding on to. Perhaps you felt wronged in some way and you are holding a grudge. Maybe you feel like you’ve never been able to catch a break and you hold that against past employers. Or, perhaps you did something in the past to yourself or to someone else and you just haven’t been able to let it go.
Forgiveness doesn’t mean that someone’s poor behaviour is ok, it just means that you are letting it go and not letting it negatively effect you in the present moment or in the future. The things that happened in the past you are still holding on to are taking up your energy and fogging up your future. Clear this up, forgive people, forgive yourself and you will find you’ll have a clearer path in life.
I’ve made many mistakes in my life. Many decisions that I wish I could go back and change, or at least for a long time I wished I could go back and change. However, I know now that it’s these events that have made me who I am today and what make you who you are!
When I was in my 20’s and early 30’s I had absolutely zero respect for money. I was always hoping to make more but when I did had no idea how to save and use it wisely. Even though I spent my money on things that have got me to where I am today, such as school and business investments, I found myself a few years ago in an abundance of debt. So much so that I never thought I’d ever get out of it. I was devastated when I had to do a debt consolidation because I thought I was being irresponsible. But this choice ended up being the best thing I could’ve ever done for my financial future. I am now debt free and have a growing business and other opportunities. I could’ve have carried that regret with me my entire life but I chose to look at it as an educational experience and use it as a great reminder of how I’ve learned from my past mistakes.
I have so many stories like this. How about you? Take a look now at your life. Who in your life, maybe it’s you, do you still need to forgive in order to move forward? Remember, holding a grudge doesn’t hurt anyone but yourself. Forgive, let go and move on. You will be much happier for it.
4) Get Uncomfortable
The fourth thing you can so to become the best version of you is to get uncomfortable.
Have you ever thought about leaving a job you hate or moving on from a relationship you were no longer happy in but chose to stay because you felt it was easier? How did that make you feel? Or, did you choose to leave a job or relationship, that was no longer serving you, knowing that it was going to feel uncomfortable for awhile. Then shortly after, a bigger and better job opportunity and loving relationship came into your and you wondered why you didn’t make the shift sooner?
They key is this, when you create a pattern of not moving when you get the urge to move, because you’re scared, you will continue to repeat that pattern over and over never getting what you want in life.
But it can also go the other way. When you make it a habit to get uncomfortable, never allowing yourself to get complacent, it will get easier to break through fear and obstacles as you make your way towards your big dreams.
Many years ago I worked in the public health sector. It was a good government job that I could’ve easily retired from. However, I worked there for eight years and I was miserable! I found myself dreading going to work and longing for something different. When I made the decision to leave many of my friends and family thought I was crazy to leave a secure job. However, looking back now I know it was the best thing I could’ve ever done. I was able to start by business shortly after I left, I found various new opportunities, learned new skills and met new people. I know I would not be the person I am today if I would have chosen to stay just in that role because it was safe and comfortable.
I encourage you to notice where you are staying in your comfort zone. Has it been too long? Is it time to pivot and make a change and perhaps learn something new? If so, find the courage to go for it. Reach for your dreams and don’t have regrets when you come to the end of your days.
5) Limit Negative Talk About Others
The fifth thing you can do to become the best version of you is to limit, or stop negative talk about others as well as yourself. This does nothing but waste your time and energy and it certainly won’t help propel you forward into the life of your dreams.
If you are around people who like to gossip, kindly excuse yourself or ask them to stop. If you find yourself leading the gossip, the minute you recognize what you’re doing stop, apologize and change the subject.
Along these same lines, it’s important to not let what others say, or think, about you bring you down. What they think or say about you is none of your business. Stay focused on your goals and don’t get dragged down by other peoples’ negativity.
A good example of this is people who get involved in a network marketing company. I have been in network marketing for almost a decade now and I have heard all the negative talk, some from others and some from myself. From “what are you doing that for? Isn’t that a pyramid scheme?” To “you will likely never be at the top of the company. Only a few people do that. It’s like winning the lottery.”
Yes, I have let those negative comments get to me, and maybe you have to if you are in this kind of business, or ever thought about being part of a network marketing company, but over the years I have learned to never listen to these kinds of comments. Usually this negative, closed-minded thinking is coming from people who don’t know what you know or who are not successful themselves.
Now, whenever I hear someone speak negatively about the network marketing industry I stop them in their tracks, ask them questions about why they feel that way and educate them on the truth about this type of business. Like my mentor Erric Worre says, “this type of business isn’t perfect, it’s just better.”
Take advice from, and listen to people who feel are living the life you dream to live. Model their behaviour, think how they think and do what they do.
So from now on, talk in a positive way towards yourself and others and watch how this positively transforms your life.
6) Have Winning Habits
The sixth way to become the best version of you is to develop clear winning habits that get you closer to, rather than further away from, your goals.
Some of these habits may include:
- Have a daily mediation practice where you focus on what you’re grateful for the things you desire to accomplish that day.
- Develop a daily exercise routine to keep your mind and body healthy and strong.
- Drink enough water to stay hydrated and help your body rid itself of harmful toxins.
- Eat wholesome foods that nourish your body.
- Spend time with the people you love and having a sense of community.
- Commit to your business or do show up fully as your best self to your job no matter what that it.
These habits are what the most successful people in the world commit to doing. Reading books such as “7 Habits Of Highly Effective People” by Steven R. Covey is a great place to get ideas on how to obtain winning habits that will support you on your way to become the best version of you.
7) Being Happy Is Better Than Being Right
There is a saying, I’m not sure who said it but it goes, “you can be right or happy, but you can’t be both.” You’re wasting your time, energy and happiness trying to convince anyone to think the way to you do or show them that you’re right.
For example, when I first went vegan I was on my soap box telling everyone I came across why people should be vegan. However, I have learned through the years that this does’t work. First of all, what other people choose to do is none of my business. Who really cares whether they want to be vegan or not? Although, I still believe it’s alright to educate people if they ask questions and show interested it’s not ok to think that what I do or believe is the right way. No one likes to be judged for their choices.
So practice letting go of judgements and the need to be right. There was a quote I saw awhile ago that stated, “Happiness is an inside job. Don’t assign anyone else that much power over your life.” How true is this?
Choose happiness, over being right to become the best the best version of you.
8) Use Serving Language
The eighth way to become the best version of you is to use serving language.
Use language that is positive and reflects the life you want to live. Speak in a way that reflects gratitude for everything you have because it’s how you feel about what you say that matters.
Successful people don’t use negative words such as “I’m overwhelmed” or “I’m frustrated.” Rather, they use words such as, “I am worth it,” “I am ready for this challenge,” and “I am doing what I do because I love to help and serve others.”
So, watch your language otherwise how you do what you do will be impacted.
9) Make A Decision
The ninth thing you can do to become the best version of you is to simply make a decision. Decide to do what you desire.
Sometimes making a decision is the hardest part but when you make the decision and fully commit to what you want you will see much better results and you will be much happier. Do what you need to do to be successful. Learn as much as you can, meet new people who you can serve and don’t look back no matter what. Act on the things you really want and don’t let fear hold you back.
Take a look at what you really want, the things that would bring you the most happiness, joy and inspiration and make a decision to go for it. Fully step into becoming the best version of you.
10 ) Always Overdeliver
Finally, the tenth thing you can do to become the best version of you is to overdeliver. Serve others with a big heart without expecting anything in return and give as much as you can.
If you have a job to do, give your best. Show up and overdeliver. Go over and above so that when you finish your day you know you have done your best. Then, you can rest easy know that you showed up, gave it your all and contributed in some way.
This is a great way to become the best version of you.
There you have it! Ten things you can implement now to become the best version of you. I hope you’ve gained some value from this information. If so, please share this with someone you think will gain value from it as well.
Feel free to visit The Rockin’ Wellness Podcast show notes page at www.RJOWellness.com/podcast/episode-41 to listen to the audio version of this article.
So until next time my friends,
Keep rockin’ your wellness.
Rachel Joy Olsen, BSc., MBA