Posted on July 15, 2022

You want to improve yourself but it’s overwhelming to figure out where—or even how—to start. Prioritizing self-development can positively impact all areas of your life, but it can especially help you take on more responsibility at work and move your career forward.

In this article, we discuss the benefits of active self-improvement and we explore nine effective ways you can improve yourself and your career.

Why is it important to improve yourself?

Bettering yourself can help you advance your career and accomplish professional objectives. For example, you could take a certification course in your field to increase your chances of a promotion. By taking steps to improve yourself, you can also acquire skills outside of traditional educational and occupational settings. Having well-developed hard and soft skills can aid you in a variety of workplace settings. For instance, you might decide to develop your communication skills. After improving yourself in that way, you may find that you can help mediate parties with different opinions. 

Follow these steps to improve yourself professionally:

• Read often
• Adopt a new hobby
• Sign up for a training session
• Identify in-demand skills
• Try a new schedule
• Commit to an exercise routine
• Set big goals
• Change your mindset
• Find a mentor

1. Read often

Reading regularly is one of the easiest and most effective ways to learn. By reading often, you can gain more insight into your field and develop a strategic vision that helps you advance along your career path. Try searching for new sources that will expand your expertise. Seek out authors from different countries and cultures or read alternative viewpoints. Consider challenging yourself to learn a new language that introduces you to even more reading material.

For example, you can make a list of the top books, blogs and publications in your industry, then make time to read every day.

2. Adopt a new hobby

Work and family obligations might be your top priorities, but having a hobby or two is essential for creating a work-life balance. Sports, crafts and other activities can help you take a break from your regular responsibilities, and they encourage you to learn and grow outside of work.

Think carefully about how you spend your time. You might be able to join a sports team, master a new-to-you craft or plan short getaways with just a few free hours each week.

3. Sign up for a training session

While you can learn new skills independently, joining a class can add structure to your learning experience. When you sign up for an extracurricular lesson or a company-sponsored training session, you can pursue hard or soft skills with the help of an expert.

You can start by signing up for a one-time training session that meets after work. After completing an individual session, consider registering for a multi-session workshop or a longer class. Choose the topic carefully by identifying specific goals you want to achieve.

4. Identify in-demand skills

If you are focused on advancing your career, identifying specific skills you need for advanced positions can help you improve yourself. In addition to standard abilities, pay attention to emerging skills that could help you gain a competitive edge.

Try reading industry publications to learn about the most in-demand skills in your industry. Consider signing up for a class to master these skills so you can position yourself at the top of your field.

5. Try a new schedule

Adopting a new schedule can offer a different perspective on how you use your time. Rethinking the way you spend your day and pinpointing your most productive hours can help you identify new ways to maximize the time you have.

For example, try waking up an hour earlier for an entire week to set aside time for yourself to learn, grow and improve. You can also allow yourself an hour before bed to read or allot an hour in the middle of the day to pursue a new hobby.

6. Commit to an exercise routine

Working out regularly can improve your health, increase your life span and contribute to a better quality of life at work and beyond. Adopting an exercise routine can also clear your mind and help you relax, which can improve your productivity.

Consider committing to working out for a few hours a week for an entire month. Choose a sport or a type of exercise you like, and consider partnering with a gym buddy to make the process fun. Cheer yourself on every time you accomplish a workout. If you miss a session, try to resume your normal workout schedule as quickly as possible to develop a healthy new habit.

7. Set big goals

On a typical day, you might have a series of small goals to accomplish. These can include everything from arriving at work on time and finishing a project to eating dinner with your family and finding time to relax together. You might even have long-term goals like saving for a down payment on a house or taking a vacation next summer. To improve yourself, make a point of thinking bigger.

For example, consider what you want to accomplish in the next five years, such as transitioning into a more rewarding career or launching your own startup company. Then establish specific, measurable, actionable, realistic and time-sensitive (SMART) goals to develop a plan for accomplishing these objectives.

8. Change your mindset

Take steps to adjust the way you think. When you change your mindset, you might realize you have more control over your circumstances than you previously thought. Knowing what you can and cannot control can empower you to improve your quality of life.

For example, you can start by questioning the status quo and any assumptions about your life situation. Consider asking yourself why you believe what you do, and challenge yourself to rethink the truth behind your beliefs.

9. Find a mentor

Striving for self-improvement can be more rewarding when you have a guide to lead the way. Whether you need professional inspiration or expert assistance, seeking a mentor can help you achieve your biggest goals.

To find a mentor, think about who you admire or who you want to be in 10 years. Look for a professional with excellent leadership skills and extensive experience in your field. Consider a mentor who can offer you the insight you need to accomplish your goals.

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