One of the secrets not taught at school is that there is an entire field of self-help providing excellent information about improving yourself. Inspired by my Karate Sensei more than 25 years ago, I discovered that not only was martial arts a great way for self improvement physically and mentally, but so was listening to motivational tapes (pod casts) and reading self help books. I learned about the importance of goal setting and not leaving your future to chance. At age 30, I wrote out 100 Life Goals for myself across 10 life categories:
- Personal Development
- Health and Fitness
- Family and Friends
- Hobbies and Passions
- Financial
- Career
- Adventure
- Travel
- Lifestyle
- Leaving a Legacy
More than 25 years later, as an average intelligence person, I am living my an amazing life as a result of focusing on these goals.
This is one of the self-help books which I read which greatly influenced my life more than 20 years ago.
The following is my best advice for improving yourself:
- Read Books - Don’t be like most people who never read another book after graduating from school. Focus on books that will help you and inspire you to improve yourself (self-help, auto biographies, education, career etc.)
- Exercise Daily - There is no substitute for exercise and getting into shape. This will impact all areas of your life and give you the energy and vitality to improve yourself further. Keep a journal or spreadsheet and record every consecutive day that you exercise. Once, you start, don’t break the chain. Aerobics and weights are equally important.
- Be Positive - Having a positive attitude is a must have to become a leader and develop relationships with ambitious people. No-one wants to follow negative people. Find the positive in every situation.
- Set Goals - Spend time reflecting about what you want to achieve in your life. Think big. Why set small goals? What if you achieve them? Set target goals that are SMART goals and outrageous goals which aren’t. Assume you will achieve your target goals and be inspired by your outrageous goals.
- Work hard - I told my kids (now adults) to “work hard” instead of “don’t work to hard” which many give as advice. Work harder on your self improvement, than you do at your job. Don’t fall into the trap of too much TV, Netflix, video games etc. This won’t lead you to your best life.
- Learn personal Finance 101 - There are basic strategies about money that are not typically taught at school, like compounding interest, the rule of 72 and investing a minimum of 10% of your income (20–30% if you really want to be wealthy).
- Keep a life journal - A life worth living is a life worth recording. Use the journal to record your life and capture your ideas. Don’t rely on your memory.
- Ask questions - So many of us lose the nerve to ask questions for fear of appearing dumb. Don’t worry about what others think of you. Most people have the same questions but are afraid to ask. This is how you learn. Have the curiosity of a child.
- Take risk - Most people on their death bed say that they wish they took more risk in their life. You won’t grow or improve yourself unless you are constantly challenging yourself to get out of your comfort zone.
- Meet people - I once received good advice that you will the same person tomorrow as you are today, except for the books you read and the people you meet. Some of your best life outcomes will come from meeting new people.
The most important thing is that you make improving yourself a life long project. Never assume that you are finished improving!
For more reading about my 100 Life Goals: Create your life goals list before you turn 30!
-Brian Klodt
{Bloggers Note : Use Your own creativity to have some goals in different areas of your life and be patient }
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