Are you tired of starting self-improvement programs only to give up before seeing results? You're not alone—and here's how to break that cycle for good.
Every so often a person decides they are going to improve themselves. They look around for help until they find something or someone they believe is capable of helping them with their needs. But after a short period, they decide to give up on themselves, leaving the program.
This is true even when this individual sees others succeeding in the same program. Having seen many people follow this pattern over and over again. Some of the folks who want to improve their life and their status only feel worse as they recognize their status has plummeted ever downward.
1. Stay Committed with Time to Adjust
The first strategy to move you forward is to continue with the behavior you are working to cultivate for 60 days. I practiced Aikido for six months, concerned that I was not progressing. But when my sensei brought in a new group of students, I recognized that I was way better than these greenhorns. Not too long later, people believed I was a black belt because I only trained with black belts or higher. That was the best way for me to challenge myself and learn.
2. Prioritize Preparation and Homework
It is important that you do the reading, studying, and practicing. I am not a lawyer, but I did get a juris doctor (J.D.) degree. I read every case for every class, knowing that I would not become a lawyer. By the time I earned my degree, I had greatly improved my reading comprehension, analysis, and critical thinking—all skills that serve me well.
3. Harness the Power of Visualization
Spend time imagining yourself achieving your goals or outcomes. This can keep you committed because it reminds you of what you have to gain and where your work is headed. This strategy can reinforce your motivation. Hook on to your vision and let it carry you through if self-doubt creeps in.
4. Break Goals into Manageable Milestones
You are almost always better off chunking your goals or results into manageable pieces. Instead of worrying about how much time you’re spending or how much further you have to go, worry about being consistent in the behaviors that will get you to your goal.
5. Seek Out Expert Mentors
If you want to learn something, it helps to find someone who has done it and can tell you what you need. One philosopher I admire did not take how to see things most people can’t.
6. Monitor and Measure Your Growth
If you don’t track your improvement, it will feel as if you have not progressed toward your goal. No matter how great or little your results, progress can keep you moving forward to your better future.
7. Step Outside Your Comfort Zone
You may have to step outside of your comfort zone. This is one very important way to grow. Once you live through something that causes discomfort, you know you can do it again. This helps you build resilience and expand your limits, especially those that are rooted in self-perception instead of reality.
8. Teach and Share Your Knowledge
While it may be nice to teach someone else what you have learned, it will also help you improve your results and deepen your knowledge. You will know that you have mastered your results because you can pass what you know to others.
9. Build a Supportive Community
If you can find a community of people who are chasing what you want, you have found the support you need while you support others.
10. Reconnect with Your Core Motivation
When things are difficult, remind yourself of what you want in the first place. You may write down all the reasons you want it, and what it means to you.
Successfully overcoming personal growth challenges requires sustained commitment, proper preparation, and a strong support system. The key is to persist beyond initial discomfort, track your progress, and leverage expert guidance and peer support. Remember that transformation takes time. Commit to at least 60 days of consistent effort to see meaningful results, and stay connected to your core motivation throughout the journey.
