As human beings we have a natural leaning to complicate things and believe that the way to do something is never simple. As someone who has performed as a magician for 20 years trust me, the method is always a lot simpler than ever the audience suspect. And so it is with self improvement.
Self improvement works when you DO IT. It does not matter which books you read, whose course you follow, personal growth only happens when you put the learning into action. Like a garden, you can know all there is to know about planting, soil types and fertilisers, but if you do not get out there, dig the much, strip the thorns and plant the seeds your garden will just be a wilderness.
So hear are 5 great ideas that will help your Self Improvement journey, as long as you do them.
1: EARLY TO BED, EARLY TO RISE.
This one is simple and studies have backed up the old saying, Early to Bed and Early to Rise.
Late nights and late rising can greatly increase your chances of struggling with anxiety and depression.
Getting up that bit earlier gives you the time to gently ease your way into the day, rather than having to go from 0 to 100 in a matter of minutes. This is better for your nervous system and anxiety levels.
2: Read Books
In today's world we have far to much screen time. This can lead to under development in the mental faculty with children and depression, anxiety and general low mood in adults.
A great remedy for this is to read.
You do not have to start devouring vast quantities of literature like I do. But start with a single book. If life is stressful then choose some fiction to escape and relax into. Alternatively expand your knowledge with a book about something you have always been interested in. If you struggle to read then go for an audio book.
Creating this time for you is not only good for knowledge, it is stimulation for the brain, time out from screens and a great way to relax. As you start to read you can start to notice how after a little while you will start looking forward to those quiet sessions with just yourself and a book.
3: Shift your area of awareness.
It is said that we are most like the 5 people that we hang out with the most.
Take a look at those people in your life. Do they encourage your growth ad development, do they support you in your endeavours or are they interested in keeping you where you are as it serves them, even if it does not serve you.
Take some time to think about who you want to be, and then who it would be that that you would hang around with. Start to discover those around you who will support you in your goals and dreams.
4: Prayer/Meditation
You do not need me to tell you how much I believe that meditation is good for you. In hectic world meditation can help us find the calm within, to see and think before we act and to discover deeper layers of who we truly are what we would like to do with our lives.
Prayer is also a great way to find that strength and stillness within. A few minutes a day in meditation or prayer, connecting to your higher self can have a profound shift on who you are.
A Harvard study has shown how mindfulness and meditation can lessen stress, anxiety and depression.
5: Find a Mentor
If you are wanting to work on yourself and your stuff. If you want to grow as a human being, achieve goals and find the happiness that you deserve then consider a mentor/ guide/ coach.
This is someone who will walk beside you on part of your journey. Helping you get past your personal obstacles and to rise up to your challenges. Someone who like the people you want to surround yourself with has your success and best interests at heart.
When you decide to work with a mentor you may stay with them a short while or they may be there, supporting you for many years, helping you to grow and be the best you that you can be. Either way, the time and money that you invest in your personal development will pay off, of course, like I said at the beginning, if you DO IT.