It’s tough to keep going sometimes, and you might find yourself questioning why you’re pursuing personal growth. Whether you began your self-improvement journey six months ago or ten years ago, the same mindset applies: you must learn to love yourself for who you are and where you are in life.
Don’t forget how far you’ve come and all the work you’ve put in. Accept where you are now, recognize where you started, and how far you’ve come. Be proud of what you’ve accomplished, regardless of its magnitude. Celebrate small victories and anything that puts you in a better position. Accept every win, big or small, and apply this to losses as well, because there is always something to learn from them. For instance, if you started exercising regularly, celebrate the fact that you can now run a mile without stopping, even if you’re not yet at your ultimate fitness goal.
Take note of what went well throughout your day, and write it down. Do this every day, and you’ll accumulate small wins that can build into bigger successes. It’s like rolling a small snowball down a hill; with each roll, it grows into a massive ball of snow. It could be as simple as completing a task at work, resolving a minor conflict, or even just sticking to your morning routine.
As your journey of change begins, keep track of where you’ve been and how far you’ve come. This often brings a sense of pride and gratification. Have confidence in knowing you are exactly where you are supposed to be.
Embrace everything about yourself, including your strengths and shortcomings. No one is perfect, but your shortcomings indicate areas that need improvement. If something negatively affects you, change is necessary. Accept and identify what you know and don’t know. Accepting these facts helps you understand where you stand and the gaps you need to fill to reach your goals. If you tend to procrastinate, acknowledge it without harsh judgment and set a plan to tackle tasks in smaller, manageable steps.
Understand that perfection is not an option. If perfect people existed, we would all simply follow their example. But then, what kind of world would it be if everyone were perfect and the same? It would be a bland world, devoid of diversity and uniqueness. In creative projects, aiming for perfection can lead to endless revisions and delays. Accepting ‘good enough’ allows you to share your work with the world and improve over time.
Don’t strive for perfection; aim to get a little better every day. Not every day will feel like progress. If you have a bad day, don’t get discouraged. Such days are part of a healthy life. They often hold important lessons, so be mindful of them to avoid repeating mistakes. If things aren’t going well, accept it, and learn from it. If you’re learning to play an instrument, focus on practicing for 15 minutes daily instead of aiming for flawless performance right away.
Self-acceptance can be challenging. While anyone can change, only you can decide when to begin. You are the captain of your life, the only one who can steer your ship. Sometimes, the winds may not be favorable, but a great captain knows how to navigate through them. Remember, tough times are only temporary.
Accept who you are. If you’re unhappy with who you see in the mirror, make a change. Choose a better path, and always remember where you came from.
Take care.