16 January 2024

(Part 5 of 5 Part Self-Reflection Series)

Welcome to this five-part series on how to make meaningful changes in your life using self-reflection. This is part five of the five-part article series on using self-reflection to make meaningful changes in life. So, if you have missed any previous articles in the series to just go to the links at the bottom of this article to find them.

Now that you've been properly briefed on the ways to start working on self-improvement, it's important that you get to know the habits that you can cultivate that will affect your life positively. Massive changes aren't what self-improvement is all about, at times, it can also be the little things you do.  Nevertheless, take note that you'll need willingness, determination, and consistency to take on the challenge to improve yourself.

1. Be willing to work hard.

There's an African proverb that says, "whatever we don't work hard for doesn't last long" and this saying communicates the need for us to put our minds and strength to the things we do. Yes, we're in an era of "soft work" but in life, there are some processes we must go through, and we must ready ourselves to work hard. You've got to work hard to get anything you want in life. If you speak with successful people, they’ll certainly tell you how they worked hard to be where they are now. Nevertheless, you must understand that working hard doesn't mean that you should engage in something that will ruin your personal life, leave you exhausted, or burn the candle at both ends.

2. Have friends who you can talk to.

Everybody needs somebody. In this world that's replete with different troubles and challenges, we all need someone that we can talk to. Beyond the need to talk to someone, your friend(s) will also be able to let you know how you're doing. Having people around you, especially the ones that you respect their opinions, is very good, and make sure that just as you have people that will be straight with you when they should, you also as well have cheerleaders you can gladly share the load with.

3.  Rather than overthinking, adapt to your circumstances.

There are times in life that we must brace ourselves to accept our situation and adapt to the circumstances, rather than overthinking. Maybe your partner has left you, you lost your job, or whatever hard period you hit, what you focus on is very important.  Therefore, we recommend that you look at the brighter side, rather than making a drama out of your circumstances.

4. Use your time wisely.

Time is life. Whoever wastes his or her time is unavoidably wasting his or her life. Whether we like it or not, on this earth that we're in, we only have 24 hours in a day and we certainly aren’t getting more than that. So, how we make use of it is what matters. Whether you sleep all through the day, watch movies throughout, or take time to develop yourself, it's what you invest your time in that will reflect in your life. Thus, do well to use your time wisely. From meditating and learning a new language to going for a walk, it's advisable that you try something new rather than just waste away your free time repeatedly over things that are not productive.

5. Always be consistent.

Some people say, "variety is the spice of life" but I love to say that "consistency is the force of life". Whatever it is you want to do, or you want to be, it takes consistency for you to be able to reach there successfully. The celebrities you know today have their past when they were struggling when it almost seems that life wasn't kind to them. But today, they're very rich and recognized. How did they manage to pull through? They were consistent. When you commit, stick to it and always be consistent with whatever you do because consistency will make you happier, boost your confidence, and improve your life greatly.

6. Go and find your happy place.

Before you get the definition of the "happy place" wrong, it's important that you understand that going to your favourite restaurant to munch happily or popping to your local bar isn't what best describes this word. Now, wherever you feel contented, wherever you lose yourself, wherever you find peace is your happy place. Once you've been able to realize what brings you happiness and what you love doing, go there. You can find your happy place through meditation.

7. Embrace all your emotions.

You need to embrace your emotions every time.  Always be mindful of the saying that “what you resist, persists,” and this should encourage you not to resist or dismiss your emotions like they're nothing. You need to learn a healthy way to let go of your emotions and it all starts with understanding why they're there and embracing them.

8. Help others.

Giving helps you see how blessed you are, it helps to distract you from your worries and troubles, and it also gives you a sense of contribution and purpose. You help yourself too when you give others and don't hold back from lending a helping hand when you can.

9. Live in the present moment.

Most of us are often thinking of how we could have done well in the past and if we're not thinking of our actions in the past, we're busy getting worked up on how tomorrow will look like. Live with the consciousness that only the present moment exists and you'll be able to see the beauty in the simplest of things and appreciate all that you have.

10. Go to new places, travel a bit.

If you're someone that does the same thing every day, you visit the same streets, you see the same people and stay in a place too often, now is the time you "go outside". There's life beyond your backyard. Do well to try to experience new places and go and check out some of the amazing wonders of the world.

Conclusion 

The goal of self-reflection is to help us move forward but sometimes, most of us are still struggling with our past and we're finding it difficult to let go of some things that we should let go. We even tend to make matters worse by being untruthful to ourselves.  Therefore, it’s very essential that you learn to let go and apply these mentioned practical ways to improve yourself.

Self-reflection helps you to be more conscious of your general state of mind, behaviour, goals, and a host of other essentials. In your own way, make sure you develop the daily habit of reflection because it will help you learn from your mistakes, give you great ideas, help you help others, make you happier, and give you a perspective.

Previous Related Articles:

Part 1 - Seven Core Principles for Reflection

Part 2 - 7 Ways to let go and Live a Happy Life

Part 3 - Things to Do When You Find It Hard to Let Go

Part 4 - 15 Practical Ways to Start Working on Self-Improvement