Transform Yourself into an Optimal You with These 5 Potent Routines
Are you down with being the best you that you can possibly be? That's dope, because we can all up our game! It's all about recognizing who we want to be, and making it happen.
It's like this book "The War Of Art" by Steven Pressfield says, "Most of us have two lives. The life we live, and the unlived life within us." Hey, we're humans, and we've got a subconscious mind that tries to take the reins. But, we can choose how we show up in this world, and that's where the magic happens.
Now, a couple of years back, I found myself at a crossroads. Life was getting a little chaotic, and I started getting defensive in conversations with loved ones. I didn't wanna be a tough cookie, but that's what I was turning into. I wanted joy, fulfillment, adventure, and to embrace my own values of kindness and honesty, lifting others up when I could.
So, is there any disconnect between who you are and who you wanna be? I mean, who you really wanna be, not who society says you should be, or who people think you should be.
But, figuring out what the best version of yourself is, can be a bit tricky. Take a look at the qualities you admire in yourself, the traits you're proud of. Would you wanna hang out with yourself?
Being the best version of yourself takes a bit of hard work, commitment, and dedication. There's this author, Vanessa Van Edwards, who spells it out like this: Purpose x courage x control x luck x hard work = the best version of you. Hard work by itself? Nah, you gotta love what you do, you gotta find your purpose. Then, ya gotta harness your courage and find the discipline to control yourself. Sprinkle in a bit of luck, and pile on the hard work, and voila, there ya have it- the formula for the best version of you.
Speaking of formulas, being the best version of yourself opens up a whole world of opportunities. You feel good about yourself, your outer self aligns with your inner self, and that improves a bunch of things like:
- Confidence
- Self-esteem
- Self-efficacy
- Motivation
- Productivity
- Sense of well-being
- Relationship satisfaction
So, why isn't everyone trying to be their best selves? It's a mystery, but we know it takes passion, heart, dedication, and commitment. It takes opening ourselves up and being vulnerable. We gotta be in the right frame of mind to carve out the best version of ourselves.
Here are five tips to help you become the baddest version of yourself:
1. Find that authentic self
You can't be the best version of yourself, if you don't even know who you are. So, take some time to tune in and get to know yourself.
- What's your heart genuinely yearning for?
- What are your personal values and ethics?
- How do you wanna be remembered?
- What gets you fired up?
- Where do you find your zone of flow?
- What freakin' scares you, but fascinates you?
Give yourself a moment to self-reflect, think about past situations and how you reacted. Coulda been kinder? Responded from a place of love rather than hurt? Seized every opportunity that came your way, or backed down because of fear?
It's time to step it up and honor that authentic self. Need more tips on how to be real? Here's our article on authenticity.
2. Get freakin' excited
A survey once said that happy people are enthusiastic. And if you ain't enthusiastic about your current hustle, how's anyone else gonna catch that vibe? If your hobbies and interests don't light a fire under your ass, it might be time to mix it up.
Enthusiasm is contagious, y'all. So, not gonna lie, it's time for a little reshuffle. Remember, having a purpose is a big part of the formula for the best version of you.
Life can get us down, but we create our own world. You got the power to be enthusiastic for every day that you get. If you can't seem to tap into that enthusiasm, it's time to take charge of your day. Schedule things each week that you're looking forward to. Maybe it's live music on Fridays after work, or inviting a few pals for a dinner party. Get those enthusiasm juices flowing, and watch how it transforms the rest of your life.
3. Deal with your shadow self
We all got a shadow self, the parts of ourselves we deem unacceptable. Self-awareness is the key to understanding your shadow self. It includes areas where you feel anger, frustration, shame, guilt, and sadness.
Recognizing these feelings and emotions is essential, and learning to work through them is key. The more self-aware we are, the more light we can cast on our shadow self, helping us understand ourselves and invite self-compassion.
If you're struggling with your shadow self, therapy could be a good option to dig into the layers of complexity and leave you unshackled. Otherwise, here's one of our articles on self-awareness for tips.
4. Be a kind punk
Kindness is like a superpower, and the best part is, anyone can wield it. Being kind to yourself, others, the planet, and animals affects your overall life in a positive way.
It takes courage to choose kindness, but when you interact with others from a place of kindness, you put yourself in a prime position for personal growth. You become a better person when you show kindness to yourself, others, the planet, and animals.
Being your best version doesn't require extraordinary power or training. Sometimes, all it takes is a simple act of kindness.
5. Embrace change
Change can be scary, but sometimes you gotta face those fears and do it anyway. Change is necessary for growth, and it might mean letting go of relationships or beliefs that no longer serve you.
To become your best version, you gotta challenge your limiting beliefs and adopt a growth mindset. Be prepared to let go of the old guidebook on who you are and write a new one.
We can't grow if we don't change. Life is what you make of it, so make it awesome by being the best version of yourself! What are you gonna do to get closer to your best self? Share your plan in the comments below!
Ali Hall - AuthorKindness is my superpower. I'm a dog lover and nature enthusiast. I'm a graduate in psychology with a sports science background. I've lived and traveled all over the world. Find me pushing my limits on the hills and trails.
Developing self-awareness through therapy can help individuals identify and work through their shadow self, promoting personal growth and happiness. Education and self-development resources can provide valuable insights on self-awareness and the attributes of the best version of oneself, such as kindness, authenticity, enthusiasm, and a growth mindset. Embracing change and being open to personal growth are key to becoming the best version of oneself, leading to improved confidence, self-esteem, and overall well-being.
