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I was literally just loading the washer machine when I thought of the idea for this blog post and I just had to start writing it!

I have this thing (obsession) with self-improvement and the whole idea of how AMAZING we can become by learning, trying, accepting, loving, growing, never settling, etc. I have a hard time understanding individuals who are content with who they are as a person. EVERYONE has room for growth, otherwise your life is stagnant.

Unfortunately, most people I interact with on a daily basis are “stuck” in their ways and habits. They do little to improve themselves and they do little to improve the world. It’s why I have a difficult time connecting with people. I refuse to be dragged down by other people’s shallowness. I honestly just wish people wanted to better themselves, their lives, and others’ lives.

If you’re reading this you’re probably not one of those people…because for some reason this title was intriguing to you and you decided to click it. I hope this inspires you to continue on your self-improvement journey, and to never let anyone get in your way.

• Always do the right thing

If something doesn’t feel right in your gut, it probably isn’t. The “right thing” may be different for different people. The right thing can range from something as big as “I shouldn’t murder this person” to “I should really put this back in the right spot” when you’re at the grocery store. Doing the right thing requires compassion, honesty, and thoughtfulness for others. Put yourself in someone else’s shoes if the situation calls for it.

Another grocery shopping example: You just unloaded your groceries into your car and you’re contemplating whether or not you should push your grocery cart 20 feet to the cart rack (You should ALWAYS do this fyi, this is just an example).

Let’s say you don’t put it back, here’s what may happen: The wind blows it into someone’s car door leaving a dent, you leaving it in the middle of a parking spot and now someone can’t park there, and/or the worker who brings the carts inside now has to go out of their way to collect your cart.

Now let’s say you put it in the cart rack: If the wind blows, the cart won’t hit anyone’s car, it won’t be in the way of someone parking, and the worker is easily able to bring all the carts together and push them inside.

Easy.

• Get shit done

This is the area that I personally need to improve in the most. You know those days where you get so much done and you feel so proud and happy about it?? That’s one of the best feelings. For myself, I often feed into my “addictions” (social media for example) when I should really be writing a blog post, filming a video, or working on creating my courses. Or I’m so tired that I end up slacking because I “don’t feel creative” or “I have no energy.” Really it’s all just excuses which get in the way of my success. It’s a part of me I struggle to understand, however, it’s a part of me that I literally constantly work on.

When you get shit done, you feel good because now you’ve alleviated some stress in your life. So whether it’s folding the laundry, finishing your homework, writing a blog post, cleaning the house, meal prepping for the week, or getting in a good workout, just get it done!!

• Own up to your mistakes

Everyone makes mistakes, but not many people are comfortable with admitting that. If you’re wrong, you’re wrong. If it was your fault, swallow your pride, apologize, and explain if you need to. Sure, it sucks to be wrong or to do something incorrectly, especially if it affects other people. However, I guarantee you it will be greatly appreciated if you just own up to it. It says a lot about your character.

• Think before you speak/act

Words and actions can cause a whole lot of damage in personal and professional relationships. It’s easy to let our emotions take over and we end up saying something we don’t mean or that is better left unsaid. At that point there is no turning back and things could change in an instant. It takes some getting used to, but learning to bite your tongue can really save you in many situations.

• Read a lot

There’s FREE knowledge everywhere! The crazy thing to me is that people don’t take advantage of this. I am constantly consuming self-improvement books, podcasts, informative/motivational videos, blog posts about every subject you could imagine, or even an inspirational person’s long caption on Instagram. While it is possible to “consume too much” and not “do enough,” these things keep me going. I enjoy learning something new and broadening my horizons. We all have different journey’s through life and there’s amazing bits and pieces that we can take from others.

You don’t need to pay a coach to access these things anymore, the internet is right at our fingertips. One of my goals is to read 100 books by the age of 30 (starting from the age of 24). So far I’ve read 7, I’ve got some reading to do!! My absolute favorite self-improvement book is You are a Badass by Jen Sincero, it’s a must-read.

• Volunteer

This world needs help. There are always volunteer opportunities, and a common misconception is that you need money to make a difference. That’s simply not true. Giving your time is extremely valuable to many people and animals. Being a voice for a cause can have a huge impact, it just starts with one person and then goes on to create a ripple effect. Generously giving your time/service to others is extremely rewarding. Check out the website volunteermatch.org to find a volunteer opportunity near you.

• Don’t expect much

“When you learn to accept instead of expect, you’ll have fewer disappointments.” Don’t expect thank yous, people to do the right thing, someone to do exactly what you want, an apology, an opportunity to be given to you, etc. Expectation is the root of all suffering and that is something I strongly believe.

• Stay positive

Life is tough, we all struggle. However, those struggles make us who we are and make us stronger in the end. It’s easy to get caught up in negativity when things aren’t going smoothly for you, but try your best to stay positive and in line with your character. This doesn’t mean to ball up your emotions though! It’s OK to not be OK, it’s OK to cry, it’s OK to have your moments. Just don’t get hung up on them. Reflect positive because the universe will give you back exactly what you give it.

• Meditate/Reflect

We are constantly turned “on” and in reactive mode because of all the technology and happenings in our daily life. Sometimes you just need a moment to yourself to empty your thoughts or clear the cloudiness. Try meditating, reflecting on things while you sip on some tea, or journaling. It’s important to get inside yourself sometimes.

I’ve been attending a meditation session nearly every Wednesday since January of 2016. Every week I’ve tried meditating to reach stillness and to find the light/those floating feelings that some people are able to experience. I still have NEVER reached this point. However, I’ve recently realized that meditation doesn’t have to be what everyone thinks it is. I struggle to meditate because I’m usually thinking about my ideas or some recent experience. Maybe that’s just my version of meditating and that’s fine.

• Become more observant/Aware

This stems from meditation really. When you open your eyes to everyday things it can be life-changing. Be more aware of your surroundings, try to pick up on people’s body language or feelings, experience moments more meaningfully. Just becoming aware and more mindful of your words and actions can be enough for you to always stay true to who you are if that makes sense. Just remember that the difficult part is that other people around you will likely not be like this. Once you become more aware of everything you will realize that even more.

• Never stop improving

And of course…never, ever settle. Keep expanding and learning and absorbing. Don’t get trapped in other people’s stagnation. You are unique, your journey is different, people don’t need to understand it. Just become the person YOU want to be.

“It doesn’t matter if it takes months or years. You should always be improving.”