30 Self-Improvement Tips for a Better You

Do you want to improve your life and others? Start with these 30 self-improvement tips to become a better you one step at a time. Hopefully, these tips will help you kick old habits and create new positive habits.

1. Take Time for You

Before you can be a better person in helping others, you need to take time for yourself in order to be that better person. Being burned out and stressed will not help you be a positive contribution to anyone. So, take time out to refresh your own wellbeing.

2. Create Your Daily Me Time

Schedule your “me” time. Set aside some time daily. Don't say you're busy. Find at least 15 minutes every day for yourself.

3. Faithfully Spend Your Personal Time 

Respect your personal time and consider these ideas to spend it. Take 15 minutes to meditate in the morning or you can just stop and listen to nature. Read the Bible, for instance, the Book of Psalms which will take only a few moments every day.

4. Let Others Know about Your Personal Time

Make a big “Do Not Disturb” sign to let everyone know about your personal time. I'm sure they will survive for fifteen minutes a day without you.

5. Be Grateful the Moment You Wake Up

It's your choice. You can be grumpy and irritable or you can be grateful that you were given another day to enjoy life and love. When you wake up, start with a prayer of thanks or declare out loud a few things you are grateful for and see how this daily habit will change your day and your life.

6. Start a Gratitude Journal

When you are feeling down, grab a journal and write about your feelings – even if they are negative. Then, give it a new spin.

For example, even though I didn’t get the job I wanted, I now know what the process is and what I need to work on to better my chances on the next job. I am exactly where I am supposed to be in this moment and am grateful for the great things to come.

7. Practice Journaling Randomly

Journaling helps to release negativity and toxicity from your mind, body and soul. However, journaling also helps to reset your mindset. So, don’t just fill a journal with negative stuff. If your husband makes you smile or does something that made you feel special, write it down. It will give you something to look at when you miss them or are really mad at them in the moment.

8. Keep Close to Positive People

Your attitude affects how your day will go. So, take this advice. Avoid negativity and stay close to positive friends who you can talk to when you need a boost. Don’t be ashamed that you're in a bad mood. Your friends will understand. Just talk about it and let it go.

9. Keep Negative People Out

There will always be negative people out there, in the person of your employers, colleagues and family members. But you can keep them at a distance and not let their negativity affect you.

10. Filter Wisely

You need to be wise and filter the negative stories your read and not so good news you hear. If you do, you will not end up with negative thoughts. Choose what you read, hear and watch. Stop ‘hanging out’ on social sites that spread fake news and take responsibility for your own actions. 

11. Listen to the Right Kinds of Music

Uplifting music will change your brain waves and fast music will give you a boost of adrenaline. If you are feeling low, listen to happy tunes and that will surely lighten up your spirits.

12. Start Your Day Right

Start the day with positive thoughts, affirmations or conversations. Read, think and say something positive and your day will be so much better.

13. Just Laugh

If your day did not start right - perhaps you tripped over something, lost your car keys or found your dog took away your slippers again, just laugh. Instead of getting upset, laugh it off or sing your favorite tune. You’ll be happy you did.

14. Smile

Smiling releases serotonin. When something goes wrong or someone irritates you, smile about it. You will instantly feel better and will soon lift the bad mood.

15. Envision the Person You Would Like to Be

If you are seeking a partner in life or if you want to be more successful in your business, envision yourself successfully reaching those goals. Be ready to set goals, take risks and face challenges. While hard at first, the more you practice, the closer you will be to becoming that successful person.

16. Be Organized

Set up a system of doing things. Having a calendar and keeping it updated can help you stay organized. Throw away junk or things that you don't need anymore. Once you're done with setting up a good organization, all you have to do is maintain it. If you don’t want to do it yourself?, find someone - paid or free - to do it for you.

17. Create Chunks of Time

Create chunks of time allotted for tasks you want to do and stick to it. If you want to clean a closet, don't mix that task with cleaning the kitchen. Spend 30 minutes to clean the closet first.  When the time is over, move on to the next chore. Do this at home, even at work, and you’ll get a lot more accomplished every time.

18. Use Your Mobile Phone Timer

Your mobile phone has a timer. Use it to time your tasks. Knowing how long you spend doing your tasks can help you see where you need to make improvements.

19. Take Advantage of Technology

Your mobile phone can be used for various techie tasks.

• Set up reminders on your calendar - include birthdays, appointments or even to-dos like spinning your clothes dry.
• Set up automatic bill payments each month.
• Research online for the best shopping deals. 

20. Install Useful Apps

There is an app for everything today from traveling to banking. Use one while waiting for the next train or the food to be served in the restaurant to get things done. Being able to accomplish more during these wait times will allow you to have more free time for yourself.

21. Turn Off Your Gadgets

Once in a while, keep yourself from using your gadgets to access technology including social networks. A better you needs real life connections. You need to talk to people, see their faces and hear their voices. Take the initiative to have a coffee date with someone. It will make a difference in your and someone else's life.

22. Schedule Your Time Carefully

Only you can schedule your time productively. Don't scroll on Facebook and stay up late. The next day, you will be sorry to have an unfocused and unproductive mind. Schedule your time to reap the positive benefits.

23. Set Attainable Goals

If you set your goals too high, you are more likely to fail. It’s all right to have one big goal. But don't forget to break it into smaller reachable goals. Being able to complete smaller goals will keep you encouraged no matter how long it takes to achieve your big goal.

24. Find an Accountability Partner

When you set a new goal, let people know about it. Get an accountability partner. Having an accountability partner to watch your progress will make you work much harder. You will also be more motivated with someone cheering you on.

25. Take a Break 

It's a good idea to take a few deep breaths a number of times a day. A few deep breaths can go a long way in relaxing yourself and can help reset your mind for a more productive day.

26. Get the Proper Rest

Not having enough sleep can make you feel bad. If you didn't get enough sleep during the night, take a power nap after lunch maybe. Even just a 15-minute nap can reset you mood, creativity and your focus and give you more energy afterward. Drinking a glass of water before bedtime will hydrate your body and help flush out toxins. Drinking one more glass of water when you wake up the next day, before eating or drinking anything else, will kick start your body organs.

27. Learn to Say No

Learn how to say no. You might find this hard at first, but it gets easier as time goes. Saying no frees up your time to do what is needed to be more productive and healthy.

28. Set Up Healthy Routines

Never forget the importance of healthy routines. Keeping fit is your responsibility. You don't need to spend sixty hours in the gym every month. A simple power walk will be enough, but do it every day and stick to it.

29. Pay Attention to WHAT You Eat

You only have one body. How you feed it is up to you. You need the right kind of nutrients to power your brain and your body. Avoid foods that do not make your body healthy. If you eat properly, you will feel great.

30. Pay Attention to HOW You Eat

How you eat is just as important as what you eat. Take your time to chew your food and eat while sitting down. Avoid talking while eating. Give time for your food to digest before doing something strenuous. Practice good breathing and eating right for proper digestion.

Everyone wants to be the best they can be. I'm sure you do. By following these tips, you life will be more balanced, focused and energized. When you feel balanced, you’ll feel better about yourself and all things around you.