You know the saying, “you are your own worst critic?” Well, it turns out that’s actually true – at least, according to science. A recent study found that people are more likely to underestimate their abilities than others. So, it’s time to stop if you’re constantly putting yourself down and doubting your capabilities. Because the only person who can truly hold you back from becoming the best version of yourself is you.
What Does “Best Version of Yourself” Mean?
The term “the best version of yourself” is often used as a motivational tool.
It’s a way to remind yourself that you have the potential to be better than you are right now.
But what does that mean?
How can you become the best version of yourself?
There is no single answer to that question.
Everyone has different goals and aspirations.
What works for one person might not work for another.
But some general principles can help guide you on your journey to becoming the best version of yourself.
First, it’s important to have a clear vision of your goal.
What are your goals and what kind of person do you want to be?
Once you have a good understanding of your goals, you can start making a plan to achieve them.
You’ll need to set milestones and develop actionable steps to help you reach your goals.
It’s also important to focus on your personal development.
This means taking the time to work on your skills and knowledge.
Read books, attend workshops, and learn as much as possible about the things that interest you.
The more you know, the better equipped you’ll be to achieve your goals.
Last but not least, it’s essential to maintain a positive attitude.
Believe in yourself and don’t let setbacks get you down.
Remember, every journey has its ups and downs.
If you keep moving forward, eventually, you’ll reach your destination.
Tackle Your Goals
No matter what your definition of success is, there are certain steps you can take to increase your chances of achieving it.
One of the most important things you can do is to create a goal list.
A goal list is simply a list of the goals you want to achieve.
But it’s not enough to just have a list; you need to have the right goals.
Your goals should be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant and time-bound (SMART).
Creating SMART goals is important in reaching your potential because it forces you to think carefully about what you want to achieve and how you will do it.
Once you have your goals, you need to develop an action plan.
This means breaking down your goals into smaller, more manageable steps.
Taking the time to develop a goal list and action plan is an investment in your future success.
It may take some time and effort upfront, but it will pay off in the long run.
Ensure Your Goals Match Your Purpose
The best way to become the best version of yourself is to ensure your goals match your purpose.
Once you clearly understand your purpose, you can create goals that fit.
When your goals align with your purpose, you will be more likely to accomplish them and feel good about doing so.
Additionally, pursuing goals that align with your purpose will help you maintain focus and avoid becoming sidetracked.
It is important to remember that your goals should not be static; as you grow and change, so too should your goals.
By periodically reassessing your goals, you can ensure that they continue to reflect your purpose and remain achievable.
If you find that your goals no longer match your purpose, do not be afraid to adjust them accordingly.
Pursuing goals that are genuinely meaningful to you is the best way to become the best version of yourself.
Offer Yourself, Unconditional Love
To help you become the best version of yourself, you must offer yourself, unconditional love.
You can do this by accepting yourself for who you are, taking care of yourself physically, emotionally, and mentally, and setting realistic goals for yourself.
When you accept yourself, you stop trying to be someone you’re not.
You no longer compare yourself to others or try to meet the unrealistic standards set by society.
Instead, you focus on taking care of yourself and becoming the best version of yourself.
Taking care of yourself physically means eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, and getting enough sleep.
Taking care of yourself emotionally means being mindful of your thoughts and emotions, expressing them in healthy ways, and surrounding yourself with positive people.
Taking care of your mental health means taking breaks, practicing meditation or mindfulness, and seeking professional help when necessary.
Setting realistic goals for yourself means knowing your capabilities and limits.
Therefore, it is important to set goals that challenge you but are still achievable.
You can feel a sense of accomplishment when you reach them.
Stop the Fear of Failure
Fear is one of the biggest obstacles people face when in the process of changing and improving their lives.
It can sometimes mean the difference between taking action and not taking action.
The first step to conquering fear is to realize that everyone experiences it.
It is a normal emotion everyone feels at some point in their lives.
The second step is to understand that fear is an illusion.
It is something that we create in our minds.
It does not exist in the real world.
The third step is to take action despite your fear.
This means doing things even though you are afraid of them.
It means facing your fears and overcoming them.
This will build your confidence and help you become the best version of yourself.
Stop Procrastinating
If you want to achieve something, you need to take action and not wait for the perfect moment.
Waiting for the perfect moment will never happen, and you will only waste time.
Procrastination is often driven by fear — fear of failure, fear of success, or even just fear of the unknown.
But whatever the reason, it’s important to overcome that fear and take action.
Remember that even if you don’t achieve your goal immediately, you will at least be one step closer than you were before.
In addition to taking action, another important step to becoming the best version of yourself is to stop overthinking.
Overthinking can prevent you from taking action and lead to negative thinking patterns that can hold you back.
If you find yourself overthinking a situation, try to focus on the present moment and take things one step at a time.
Stop People Pleasing
The main reason people please others is they want to avoid conflict.
However, this only leads to more conflict in the long run because you’re not being honest about what you want or how you feel.
When you’re honest with people, they’re more likely to respect and trust you.
They may not always agree with you, but they’ll at least know where you stand.
People pleasers also tend to be doormats.
They let other people walk all over them because they don’t want to rock the boat.
However, this only leads to more frustration and resentment.
If you want people to treat you with respect, you need to start treating yourself with respect.
That means standing up for yourself and setting boundaries.
It’s not easy to stop being a people pleaser, but it’s worth it.
When you start being honest with yourself and others, your life will start improving in all sorts of ways.
You’ll be happier, healthier, and more successful.
So what are you waiting for?
Start making some changes today!
Stop Criticizing Others
Most people think that to become the best version of themselves, they should only speak well about people.
However, this is not always the case.
When you criticize others, ask yourself why you are doing it.
Is it because you genuinely want to help them improve?
Or is it because you are trying to make yourself feel better?
If it’s the latter, then you need to stop.
Criticism is not always bad.
It can be a way to motivate others to do better.
But if you are constantly criticizing others, it will only lead to negative consequences.
It will make people avoid you and make you more likely to engage in self-destructive behaviors.
If you want to become the best version of yourself, focus on your life and become a better person.
Stop criticizing others, and start striving to be the best that you can be.
Stop the Negative Self-Talk
It’s time to stop being your own worst critic.
That inner voice that always points out your flaws and tells you you’re not good enough is holding you back from being your best.
Here are some tips for how to stop negative self-talk:
1. Recognize when you’re doing it. Pay attention to the thoughts that run through your head when you make a mistake or feel anxious about something. Are you quick to criticize yourself?
2. Challenge your negative thoughts. Once you’ve identified the negative self-talk, try to challenge it. Are your thoughts true? Is there evidence to support them?
3. Practice self-compassion. Treat yourself with kindness and understanding, just as you would a good friend. Would you say the same things to them that you say to yourself?
4. Focus on your strengths. Instead of fixating on your weaknesses, focus on what you do well. What are your unique talents and strengths? How can you use them more often?
5. Set realistic goals. Don’t set yourself up for disappointment by setting unrealistic goals. Instead, start small and focus on making progress over time.
Conclusion
The final step in becoming the best version of yourself is to commit to lifelong learning. Learning doesn’t just mean acquiring new skills; it also means continually revisiting and refining your skills. By committing to lifelong learning, you’ll never stop growing and improving. And as you continue to grow and improve, so will your ability to contribute your unique gifts and talents to the world.