How to be a better you, even if you're great

exerciseball19312390.jpgLots of "better you" articles start from the assumption that you're a pathetic wreck marooned in a sea of troubles. Now, this might be exactly the case (I speak from experience), but what if you're already feeling pretty good about yourself, are happy with your career, your home life, your friendships, your physical health, your education, your community involvement, and so on?

One's first thought is to say "Congratulations! Job well done." One's second thought is to suggest that maybe so much self-satisfaction is a sign that betterment might not be a bad idea. It may very well be the case that you're excelling in all the important areas named above. However, it couldn't hurt take each one and examine it a little more closely. You may find little faded spots, like the ones you find on an otherwise perfectly healthy, crisp, delicious apple. And you may be able to do something about these faded spots. After all, such a spot on an apple, if not cut out, will eventually compromise the whole apple; turn it to mush. Your goal in this case is simply to not get mushier. You're firm, shining, delicious; let's keep you that way; let's improve you!

1. Checking for signs of mush. Ok, so you've decided to give yourself a looking-over in case of an unnoticed blemish or, heaven forbid, evidence of worm-passage. How to go about doing this? One time-honored method is to sit down in a quiet place, with no possibility of distraction, and meditate for a while--but not on vague, faded, fuzzy blobs of light and darkness, but on specific things, one thing at a time.
2. One thing at a time means job, family, friendships, health, talents, goals, and so on. Mediate (or look closely; ponder) each of these areas. Now, to do them all at once does not just seem daunting, it is daunting, crushingly. So take it at a measured pace. Evidence is you're already doing pretty well for yourself. What you're doing now is detail work; polishing the apple, making it as firm, fresh, succulent, and inviting as you can. So start gradually but methodically, and look at the areas most important to you. You want to be a better you. You want to self-improve. When you look at these important aspects of your life, are there things about them that could stand improving? If so, jot them down. Don't worry about improving them yet; just realizing they're there is a huge step forward. Do the same for the rest of your list. It may take a week, it may take a month. But what's a week or a month when you're planning on living for years?
3. This is the hardest part. Many people expect, following that statement, to hear about putting your nose to the grindstone to start that self-improving. However, another crucial step preempts the grindstone. It's a crucial step especially for people who basically have it together. The better you become at something, the better you become at living, working, relating, the harder it becomes to personally see where you could be even better, or where you're not as good as you think. This is why taking your list to a trusted friend or loved one, explaining why you've written it, and asking for their help is paramount. Let them read the list. Trust me, they'll have invaluable insights to share. I can think of no better way for striving toward a better you. I can think of no stricter school for self-improvement.
4. It's not going to be easy to see yourself through other people's eyes. Remember, they love you. It's like hearing your voice on tape; you're embarrassed; you sound goofy. But you only sound goofy to you, because the way you hear your voice is actually a distortion. You're speaking out, and only hearing your voice second-hand as it were, at a lower, more muted pitch. But on tape, wow! you sound more like a chipmunk. You're embarrassed, but none of your friends are; they hear your voice without distortion all the time, so that what's coming out of the tape is perfectly normal to them; it's your voice to them.
5. The things that your friends and loved ones might suggest to you are kind of like that voice on the tape. Your initial reaction might be dismay, or even affront; that's how you see me? But remember, how they see you, and how they hear you, is different from the way you see and hear yourself - different, more honest, and better. They love you for your foibles as much as your gifts. You've gone to them to ask for advice, and from their perspective all they're doing is mentioning things they've taken for granted for a long time, which they don't necessarily desire you to change, but you've asked them for feedback. And, being friends, they'll give it to you.
6. Once you've added their insights to your list, you're ready to begin (like an out-of-practice jogger begins, very slowly, very carefully) taking steps toward those little changes that will make your qualities, already so close to the best, even better. By doing so you'll enrich your life in ways you wouldn't have thought possible, grow closer to your friends and family, excel even more at work, and enjoy life with greater joy.

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