Productivity, motivation, big goals, and even bigger achievements… Once you enter Instagram or any other social media, all those “superhumans” show you their “perfect” lives.
But in reality, no one is perfect. People might wake up tired, worry about job interviews, and have completely no idea where they’ll be in a year. And it’s OK!
Thus, if you want to begin the process of self-improvement, there’s no need to read 100 pages or run 10 miles a day. You can begin with small, actionable steps and move at your own pace.
What is self-improvement?
Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines self-improvement as “the act or process of improving oneself by one’s own actions.” [1]
Let’s make it simpler. Self-improvement or working on yourself means doing things that make you more skilled, knowledgeable, confident, or emotionally balanced. It’s about taking intentional steps to be the best version of yourself — whether by learning new skills, overcoming challenges, or fostering healthier habits and mindset.
You may ask, “What does it mean to work on myself?” The answer is different for everyone.
Some people focus on getting fitter, others on building their careers or adopting better sleep habits and many of us combine these things. Only the essence is the same: if something makes you feel and live better, this is a part of working on self-improvement.
10 ways to work on yourself
Now, check out some simple yet effective tips on how to achieve personal growth.
1. Harness your and others’ emotions
Working on your EI can help you find common language with others much faster. Just think about it: emotional intelligence accounts for over 60% of people’s personal and professional achievements. [2]
Simple practices like active listening, self-reflection, and learning to be more empathetic can go a long way in creating more meaningful connections in your life.
Additionally, you can take a quick and free emotional intelligence test to get more tips on how to identify areas and steps to work on yourself.
2. Pause, reflect, and rediscover yourself
From time to time, we might need to stop and think about where we want to improve. In this case, simple self-reflection questions like, “What truly brings me joy?” or “When was the last time I felt truly proud of myself?” can make a big difference.
You can start by answering them with your loved ones, journaling answers into your notebook, or discussing them with a trusted mentor. Talking it out or writing down your thoughts can help you see things more clearly and decide what things to work on.
3. Set your goals smarter
While this may sound too obvious, this small step is often a game-changer. Sometimes, the answer to “How to find yourself?” is to understand what you aim to get.
Setting SMART goals is a great way to start, especially as studies prove that people who set SMART goals are 90% more likely to achieve them compared to those who set non-specific goals. [3]
SMART means:
- S — specific
- M — measurable
- A — achievable
- R — relevant
- T — time-bound
If you stick to this practice while working on yourself, you’ll be able to turn your dreams into real steps and track your progress more efficiently.
4. Streamline your routine to simplify your life
Research proves that having regular work processes allows workers to spend less cognitive energy on recurring tasks, which can support focus and creativity for more complex tasks. [4]
In fact, this works in all areas of our life.
Sticking to a consistent routine makes daily life more manageable. By reducing decision fatigue and creating structure, you free up mental space for what truly matters — whether it’s pursuing your goals, enjoying hobbies, or spending quality time with loved ones.
5. Assess your sleep patterns
One of the first things to work on yourself is to think how much you sleep. Scientists state that adults need to sleep 7 or more hours at night to feel fine. [5]
Though, there are a lot of other factors that influence how well we feel in the morning and throughout the day:
- sleeping schedule
- sleep quality
- bedtime routine
- sleep environment, etc.
Finally, some people thrive on 7 hours of sleep, while others feel their best with 8 or even 9. Thus, it’ll be great to identify what works best for you and then tailor your routine accordingly.
6. Grow where it feels uncomfortable
Staying open to new experiences, feelings, and insights is among the best ways to work on yourself. By taking up something new or challenging, you stretch your boundaries and build resilience.
You can try public speaking, travel to a place you’ve always wanted to visit, or learn a new language. These experiences challenge you, build your confidence and help you discover abilities you didn’t know you had.
7. Reflect on how you spend vs. invest time
Together with the question, “How do you work on yourself?” there might be something like, “What prevents you from doing the things you want to?”
Social media, video games, dozens of TV series, and other stuff can serve as a time-filler when we’re bored,exhausted, or unmotivated at the moment.
Yet, if you want to reach your goals and get better daily, it may be helpful to revise your habits. Cutting back on unnecessary distractions frees up time and energy for the activities that truly matter.
8. Ground your mind with meditation, mindfulness & affirmations
To reach emotional balance and create a mindset rooted in self-improvement, you can try quick and effective practices. Just think about the fact: mindfulness meditation has been scientifically proven to promote emotional balance [6]
There’s no need to overcomplicate things, just keep them as simple as possible.
- If you’re a beginner in meditation, sit down comfortably and focus on your breath. Inhale and exhale slowly. Let your thoughts flow without judgment, and simply observe them. It can be even a 5-minute morning or evening practice to calm down and relax.
- To become more mindful, you can start by paying attention to the present moment in your activities. For example, focus on the taste of your food while eating, notice the sounds around you during a walk, or feel the texture of objects you touch.
- Repeating positive affirmations for women can help you reframe your thoughts, break free from old patterns, and improve problem-solving abilities. [7] You can begin with 5 minutes of self work as a part of your daily routine.
9. Spark meaningful conversations
Shilagh Mirgain, PhD, states, “Happiness isn’t just a personal experience, it is actually affected by the individuals around you.” [8] The same is true for self-improvement.
Take a look at those surrounding you. Are these people who think, “How to work on myself? How can I get better?” Or maybe they prefer staying in their comfort zones and avoid growth.
Connecting with motivated and supportive people can inspire you to improve and achieve your goals.
10. Shift your perspective
Focusing on negativity isn’t the best idea when you’re working on yourself. Of course, all human emotions matter, and it’s completely OK to feel worried or angry.
Even in the midst of unpleasant emotions, changing how you view a situation can bring about meaningful change. Here are some effective ideas on how to do it:
- Practice gratitude daily
- Replace “I can’t” with “I can try”
- Focus on solutions instead of challenges
- Look for lessons in setbacks
- Surround yourself with positive people
- Celebrate small wins
Benefits of working on yourself
Definitely, the outcomes of self-improvement might differ based on how you work on yourself and what aspects you focus on. Yet, there are some common advantages you’ll probably experience.
- Your confidence will grow
- You’ll reach your goals faster
- Relationships will become more fulfilling
- You’ll become a stronger professional
- You’ll gain a deeper understanding of yourself
- You’ll cultivate better habits and routines
- Your emotional resilience will improve
- You’ll feel much happier
“From your experience, what benefits are the first that people notice when they start working on self-improvement? How can they spot them and not dismiss their own achievements?” Hannah Schlueter, MA, LAC, answers, “One of the first benefits people begin to notice on their self-improvement journey is the motivation and hope for change. Acknowledging your own ability to identify things that you’d like to change and begin making plans to do so can be incredibly empowering. A way to spot the benefits is to make a habit of pointing them out, as well. Throughout your day, week, or month, write down your achievements to reflect back on later for additional encouragement to keep going.”
5 best books, podcasts, and movies for self-work
We’ve already answered the question, “How to work on yourself?” and provided some tips. But if you want to become more familiar with self-improvement, here are some resources that might help you.
1. Breeze blog
Our self-discovery blog is a valuable source of insights about emotional intelligence, life balance, and relationships.
Turn to it regularly to learn something new about yourself and other people. You can discover unobvious steps to work on yourself, find tips to reach your goals, and gain practical advice on improving communication skills.
2. Atomic Habits by James Clear
This is a great book for those who want to improve their productivity, build good habits, and overcome a lack of motivation. When you feel stuck on the way from ideas to reality, Atomic Habits might help you move faster and believe in yourself.
“If you’re having trouble changing your habits, the problem isn’t you. The problem is your system,” states the description. [9] This book provides a clear framework for shifting from bad habits to nurturing ones.
TED Talks Daily
Probably one of the best podcasts to broaden your horizons and learn something new. It includes short and thought-provoking talks about everything in the world, from AI to a global ecological situation.
Thus, if you look for ways to work on yourself and want to become more open-minded, TED Talks Daily is a good choice for listening on the way to work.
Coursera
This is a global online provider that offers courses on hundreds and thousands of topics. You can watch lessons from top universities, institutions, and professionals.
There are also free courses that you can take when working on yourself. Whether you’re interested in improving your skills or exploring a completely new field, Coursera offers a variety of options.
Nomadland (2020) directed by Chloé Zhao
This is a powerful film about self-discovery and resilience. It tells the story of Fern, a woman in her 60s who, after losing everything, starts a journey through the American West.
The film shows that personal growth and reinvention can happen at any stage of life. It holds the idea that it’s never too late to start over and find new meaning, no matter the challenges.
The film encourages reflection on our own lives and the potential for self-work, no matter our age or circumstances.
There may be times when self-improvement feels tough, and people lack motivation. We asked Hannah Schlueter, MA, LAC, if she could give some practical advice that might help to keep going. Here’s her answer, “Creating realistic expectations and building consistent habits will help prevent challenges with motivation, however, it’s normal to feel stuck from time to time. A practical tip for lack of motivation is to think of the short-term versus long-term reward. A lot of challenges with motivation rely on feeding short-term feelings rather than long-term needs.”
Sources
- Merriam-Webster Dictionary. “Self-improvement”
- Zoe Talent Solutions. “Emotional Intelligence Impact Statistics: Key Findings”
- Vorecol. “The Importance of Setting SMART Goals in Individual Development Plans”
- The Neuroscience School. “How routines can make you more productive.”
- Mayo Clinic. “How many hours of sleep are enough for good health?”
- National Library of Medicine. “Brief Mindfulness Meditation Improves Emotion Processing”
- Psychology Today. “Research Supports Morning Affirmations: Rise and Shine!”
- UW Health. “How others influence your happiness”
- Amazon. “Atomic Habits: An Easy & Proven Way to Build Good Habits & Break Bad Ones”
