“Every moment of one’s existence, one is growing into more or retreating into less.” ―Norman Mailer

Simply put everyday you are either getting better or getting worse. 

Ever had the feeling that you are lost?

You know you are made for more but somewhere along the line you have been fed “truths” that do not serve your growth. 

After school, It is easy to feel you are done with learning as we are trained in school to study for “something” – an exam – a test. The importance of learning for personal growth is one topic amongst many others we were not taught about,

Once you realise this and start seeking for answers you get on this “personal development” treadmill where you start looking to change the trajectory of your life for a better future or you just throw in the towel and continue to live in pain

But I know you want a better life – you have people to make proud and you have big dreams for your life.

I read somewhere that the life you have now is a result of the decisions you made two years ago and that hit me – because it is true.

Think back to how you lived two years ago, the little decisions you made that brought you this far. – Good or Bad.

Life is simply about the decision we make why we “inevitably” grow or decline.

These 10 practical ways would help you level up faster and start making better decisions if you want to change how your future would look like.

10 practical growth Steps To Keep Improving

 

1. Reading 

 

Here I go again telling you the power of reading. Reading good books and Classics that have stayed relevant throughout the ages is one of the fastest ways to improve your life.

“ The more books you read, the more wisdom you expose yourself to” – Celestine Chua 

What are some books you can start reading to enrich yourself?

Books should be like your best friend and some books you want to go back to over again and reread. You get new insights each time you read a book.

Just like listening to your favourite music for the 30th time and finding something you missed the first few times.

You should have “favourite’ books you always return to for new insights. It is better if this books are classic and here are some favourite that you can get a lot from

• Think and Grow rich
• Rich Dad Poor Dad
• How to Make Friends and influence people – Dale Canegie
• The greatest salesman
• The 48 laws of Power
• The Subtle art of not giving a fuck

If you don’t like “reading” you can find some free audiobooks online to listen to on the go. – you still get the information

 

2. Find a New Productive Hobby: 

A hobby is something you enjoy doing and while it can range from scrolling through social media to  singing in the showers etc

Finding something new you are curious about but never tried out as a hobby – we make this mistake of “believing” we do not like or cannot do “something” when we have never tried it.

So we stayed glued with what we know best and enjoy

But is that really fun? – you can find a new hobby that is productive and see where it leads.

Some of the most successful people are those who got so good at a hobby they sell their services.
Some productive hobbies include ; Cooking, Painting, Sculpture etc which you can get good at and can make a living from

Here are 20 productive habits you can choose from.

 

3. Take A useful Online course 

 

We are all still in some form of lockdown – at least schools are – this is a perfect time to learn a skill online.

There are a lot of “whatsapp classes” making a huge return now and lots of free and paid online courses on the internet on almost anything you would want to learn.

The best way to know how valuable an online course is to you is by “reading reviews” – what have others said about this course.

You should also seek for reviews – or samples to know if this is the real course and if it is for you.

Taking a new course is a great way to learn a new skill and gain new insights you have never considered before.

 

4. Do Something That Scares You

 

I had a fear of speaking in public  – I realised this late last year and decided i wanted to do something about it. 

I loved watching Tedx talks and learning new skills and I am always fascinated by how good the speakers are.

I looked for a place where I could practice and joined the lectors (those who take readings in my church)  

My first Sunday was awful – despite how well I practiced – when it was show time I could hear my heart pounding in my ears.

 3 readings later I was better and gained a lot of confidence as a result.

Do i still have fears- yes, we all do.

But facing your fears is one practical way to grow – look for something you’d like to do or see others doing and feel like you can do it – find a helpful scenario to practice and slowly but surely you would get good at it.

5. Level Up on Your Skills  

If you are a “gamer” – from candy crush to ps4 game addicts – you understand what it means to level up – you have conquered a particular stage in the game and you are moved up to higher and more difficult opponents

Your skills  are somehow the same – you practice to gain experience and as a result “level up”.

When you learn a skill, you should try to keep getting better everyday at that skill – you do this daily through practice.

This prepares you better for what is in front of you.

 

6. Have A Weekly Exercise Routine:

Exercise is not just for those trying to lose weight or people trying to bulk up – it is a necessity for everyone.

You can only be better if you are in good physical shape – like the old saying goes – health is wealth.

You would be surprised what a 15 minutes run 3 times a week can do to improve not just your health but your mood as well.

I try to walk at least 6,000 steps daily – which is recommended for most young adults,  recently I  was blown away by the walking stats of a Grand- Mother ( 12,000+ steps when it was not even 9 am yet ) – what’s your excuse?

Start small with weekly achievable steps and have an accountability partner ( you’d tend to do more when you have someone with the same goals as you)

7. Find Healthy Accountability partners:

There is nothing better than healthy competition – find someone who has a similar goal you want to achieve – new skill, habit, financial goals

It doesn’t matter – you can both set a target that you would try to hit individually in 30 days time or in a week

Knowing that someone is on the same journey as you gives you a reason not to give up.

It could be someone in your circle or someone you respect and would not want to disappoint i.e  mentor or coach.

This process means both of you gain more than going it alone.

 

8. Have a To-Do list:

 

Have you ever taken stock of how you spend your time? – you can go through a whole day “very busy” and end up accomplishing nothing of note to help you get better.

Starting your day with a list of things to do – helps you have a clear and set goal.

This would help you stay focused.

Since I started making a to-do list, my days are more productive when i make and stick to one than when i do not

Part of my to-do lists every Tuesday is to guest post at least 1000+ words for StillIriseord on personal development.

The best way to make this count is to write your to-do list a day before.

Most preferably the night before.

Pick one thing you want to accomplish for yourself – and put that as the first task of your day.

This would help you build  momentum as you get through the day.

 

9. Quit one bad habit 

 

You and I have bad habits we struggle with – some we picked up unknowingly and most no longer serve us and we know it.

While you might have blind spots to some of your bad habits – there are some that you are aware of.

Working on this habit because you have a Growth mindset means you know you can slowly change.

Your bad habit could be oversleeping – eating too much junk or another one you know about.

Find a new good habit you can replace this with and read on all the benefits. – if you sleep too much – read on the benefits and importance of waking up early.

While this is not easy to do as habits are “comfort zones” – good or bad.

You have to decide how you want to live your life.

You can start unlearning and relearning

We are not born with habits – we develop them.

 

10. Take a break:

As you try to get better each day – it is important to take a break and do something that is relaxing – Sleep.

Start with getting at least 6-7 hours daily.

You body needs the rest to keep ging at optimal level.

You can’t be driving a car if it has no petrol.

Taking a break when you “Deserve” it is necessary to avoid burnout.

Remember, getting better everyday is a marathon – not a sprint.