So, you’ve clicked on this blog post because you want to be a better version of yourself. Awesome! If you wish to learn something new, kick a bad habit to the curb, improve your sales game, feel more inner peace, or connect with others more, I am going to show you how! Working on yourself is one crucial way to provide better value to your clients. You don’t need your self-improvement to be directly connected to your business to see the benefits spillover.
The ways I’ve listed are practical suggestions you can apply to yourself right away. It isn’t going to be a piece of cake, mainly because theory and practice are two different things! You can slowly change the way you think and the habits you practice over time- and the best thing you can do is offer yourself kindness and empathy in the process. After all, you are reading how to create a better version of yourself. You already are making a big decision to have the audacity to do so. You already are pushing through a relaxed way of life into something a little less cozy. Stay the course, and soon, all your hard work, effort, and intention will show themselves. You will see how doing any of these (or all of these) will help you professionally. Keep reading!

Create A Better Version of Yourself:

Learn Something New

Dare to be a beginner. Journal how it feels, what you think, and your progress. One way to learn something new and make it a habit is by joining a 30-day challenge. You can do anything for 30 days, right? So why not give it a try and stay committed for 30 days. You’ll likely extend the challenge once it’s over because it’s a habit by then! If you didn’t have as much fun or enjoyment as you’d hoped, that’s okay! Try a new challenge. Why and how will learn something further help you professionally with your clients? It will give you a new outlook for sure. We often forget what it is like to be a beginner Newbie at something. More often than not, our client is the newbie in the field. When you put yourself in the shoes of a beginner, you develop skills, compassion, understanding that will give you a competitive edge when it comes to business. Here Are Some Ideas To Learn Something New: 

Take an Online Course

I’m a big fan of online courses. Usually, you are self-paced and can do it in the comfort of your own home. Early riser? Start the day with a class instead of mindlessly scrolling. Night owl? Replace Netflix with something you can learn and apply. Try Masterclass, Udemy, or Skillshare.

Become Bi-lingual

Learning a new language is one excellent way to learn not only how to speak with a new group of people, but you will discover a new culture, you’ll learn a lot about the way you think, and your perspective will shift. Learning a new language is always daunting, but take it one step at a time, and you’ll be having fun while growing. Being bilingual in business is always helpful. Learning Spanish and have a client that speaks Spanish? Practice a sentence with them. Watch your connection grow. Connection with clients is essential for repeat business. You will always have a way to use another language.Try apps like Duolingo, Rosetta Stone, or Babbel.

Find Passion In Music

I’ve never met anyone that plays an instrument say they wished they didn’t know how to play it—playing an instrument taps into a part of the brain that will expand your world much further than a few notes. It’s never too late! If you love music, give it a try. The internet has so many options; you will have a plethora of resources. Youtube, yousician.com, and udemy are great places to start!

Do the Hustle

I’m not talking about the dance. I’m talking about starting a new hustle- a business. Need to make money and have a great idea? You can create something new right now. Independent consulting, teaching, becoming an online influencer, start an online retail shop like Etsy, open a new restaurant concept, pursue a franchise, the options are endless. If there’s been a dream in your heart, decide to GO FOR IT. What do you do on a daily? It can also be a great time to try something NEW in your current business. Did you brush off new technology, product, or training system? Instead of saying no, bring it on board and find a way for it to work.You have dreams, but what are you doing with them? Your habits will push you through when the excitement fades. Same old, same old isn’t helping you. Be open-minded and watch your team respect you more, too!Stay committed by locking in critical habits that will make you successful. 
What do you do EVERY DAY? What are your habits, or what do you wish you did consistently? You can be a better version of yourself just by making sure your daily routines are in check. Daily habits are critical for providing value for your clients. It’s not about being great once and then moving on. Your team, customers, and business need consistency. Here are some practical ways to keep your habits in check:

Befriend Books

People often say they don’t have time to read, yet they are constantly scrolling news, social media, emails, and websites. If you don’t love reading, try swapping radio time in the car for audiobook time. The most successful people in the world will all agree that reading is vital in self-improvement. Bill Gates, Tony Robbins, Barak Obama, and Warren Buffet all recommend reading every day to help with focus, concentration, leadership, writing skills, memory, and critical thinking. 

Move Your Body

If you are looking for an energy boost, overall health boost, and a better functioning body, you have to move it! The top successful people in the world tend to be regular exercisers. As someone who has been sedentary and now works out every day, I can tell you it is a habit that keeps me looking and feeling great and more productive all day long.Try walking if you don’t move much. A step counter can be a great way to see what you’re doing and how to up the ante. If you want a more significant challenge, try a fitness app, resistance bands, or join a workout center such as orange theory.

Check Your Eating Habits

It is so easy nowadays to pull up to a drive-through. While I can’t say I NEVER do it, I rarely do. If you want your overall health to improve, the saying “you are what you eat” is certainly true. From your moods to the way you work, food can have a significant impact. You can make simple changes like cutting out soda or packing a lunch instead of take-out every day. Over time you’ll want the junk food less and crave healthy foods. Changing eating habits takes time but stay consistent, and you’ll see and feel a big difference.

 What Do You Listen To

What types of videos, TV, News, etc., do you watch? What radio, podcasts and music do you listen to regularly?All of this has an impact on your mood, outlook, happiness, and overall feelings. Where are you focused? Do a mental check and see what you regularly scroll. Ask yourself if it is healthy for you. Be honest, and if there’s a gut feeling you need to turn it down or shut it off, start the habit of doing so. Trade the junk with audiobooks, podcasts, inspirational stories, and wholesome TV. At first, you might need to be hyper-aware, but soon it will come naturally to you!

Make Rest & Relaxation A Daily Habit

We all have an extensive honey-do list, a productivity checklist, work, obligations, etc. Now add on the new habits I’m suggesting, and the pile keeps getting higher. It’s easy to get overwhelmed when information and expectation overload is going on all the time.If you feel like the energy is oozing out of you, you’re not alone. There is something to be said about resting. Quiet the noise surrounding you. Call it meditation, ‘doing nothing, or taking a load off. Every day take a few minutes to sit in a quiet place and be. Remove distractions like phones and pets, TVs, etc. Sit with yourself and absorb nothingness. Doing nothing is doing something! Now that’s a habit worth trying!

Focus

Are you able to focus and give 100% attention to whatever you need at the time? Are you able to ignore distractions and stay in the moment with what you are doing? Can you filter out outside stimulation and noise?Being focused is a skill that takes practice every day. Your team is watching you and what you do. If you want your clients to feel appreciated, it’s essential to focus. Working on overall focus will help you specifically in the workplace too.Here are some ways to hone in on these skills:

Meditate

Meditations help in so many ways. Its self-care is necessary if you want to decrease stress, improve your focus and attention, help with memory, have a better night’s sleep, become a better version of yourself, and improve your mental health. You’ll develop empathy for yourself and others and feel more in control, all while letting go. Not sure where to begin? Don’t worry. It can be daunting but try an app such as headspace or YouTube to search for guided meditations. Mindful.org is a great resource too.

Give Your Goals Attention and Intention

Do you have a list of goals? Do you have an action plan to reach them? Do you read your goals every day? Do you have a way to get them, or are they simply a ‘wish’? Work on your goals every day. Don’t know where to start? Start with giving yourself a timeslot every day to work on them and focus on them. Create an action plan and take everything in baby steps.Try to-do list apps, reminder apps, or goal-setting apps such as ClickUp.

Keep a Journal

Writing doesn’t have to be grammatically correct or perfect at all! Your brain will benefit from consistent writing, brain dumps, and thought collecting. Putting it on paper helps your brain process information, let go of what it can’t control, and feel less stress. Want to be focused and also be in a state of gratitude? Write down everything you might “stay awake at night” replaying in your head. Now your brain isn’t trying to file it for later. You’ll sleep better, process better, and be focused more than ever.

The Inner Self

Working on the exterior self may be more gratifying because you can measure your improvement. From weight loss to learning a new skill like painting to getting more clients on board, you’ll be able to measure your success. But There’s also a need to work on the inner self. The part that can’t be seen or put on a scale or paid a higher commission. How are you managing stress, balancing relationships, communicating with clients, practicing kindness and empathy, being self-aware, and letting go of micromanaging?Here are some ways to work on your inner self.

Face Fears- especially the fear of failure

Everyone has fears. It’s a normal part of life. If you are fearful of failure and that is why you haven’t gotten started or don’t want to ‘try again,’ this one is for you. Usually, fear of failure stems from fear of ridicule, judgment, and lack of confidence. Letting go of shame is easier said than done. The first step is to be self-aware. Push through and practice where you can. Surround yourself with people that lift you up and place less importance on the people that don’t. Be part of a team that wants you to win. Let go of shame and go for “it,” whatever “it” is.

Watch Yourself 

Life isn’t about what happens to us but how we react to what happens to us. If you are often reacting in ways you aren’t proud of or apologize for after, take it as a cue to start managing your emotions. How do you come across to customers, clients, coworkers?In business, especially emotions can fly. It’s not about suppressing them.Allow yourself to feel feelings. Write how you feel and then how you reacted. Was there room for improvement? How could you have taken the high road? Often being self-aware is the missing piece to the puzzle. Try writing, poetry, having a creative outlet and room to express yourself. Yes, even in business, there are ways to help you positively react when things come up. Be self-aware and be willing to change.
Try Talk Therapy or Life CoachingWhen you regularly meet with a trained professional, you will become a better version of yourself because you will receive guidance and support you couldn’t possibly receive when you’re attempting to self-improve on your own. You don’t need to be in trouble or have an acute problem to need or want a therapist or coach. Our team meets with a coach weekly to help them hone in on their sales goals. More often than not, it is a mental battle more than a lack of skill. Don’t be afraid of having help. It might just be the best thing you do.Try Cerebral or Talkspace, or Better if an online approach is appealing to you. There are also many business-related coaches out there. Start somewhere and find the person suitable for you. You might need to sort through a few before you find the proper person/team/method.

Review Your Relationships

What are the relationships you have in your life, and with who? Are you happy, discouraged, exhausted, energized? Here are some ways to improve yourself with the relationships in your life:

Close Circle/Room For Growth

Do you spend quality time with loved ones such as your children or spouse? How would you rate the time? Are you distracted, on the phone, or thinking about something else? Do you do all the talking or listen more? Is there room for improvement when it comes to the quality time you spend with your most intimate circle? Always start here when putting in the effort to improve overall relationships. 

New People

When was the last time you added a new friend to your circle? Meeting new, quality people is a challenge, especially as you get older. But look at it as a social skill you can work on and get better with every day. Do the people in your life inspire you? Do you LIKE the five people you are around most of the time? Do you feel SUPPORTED by them? How would they respond about you? You become like these five people. Make sure you like who surround you! Changing and growing this circle isn’t going to happen overnight. Does it feel impossible? Often there are people just like you on the same sales team, business organization, and company. You just haven’t given them the chance to connect with you yet. When all else fails, surround yourself with ‘influencers’ you most want to identify with, such as audio from authors, podcasters. Over time you will weed out the circle and replace them with people you prefer.

Set Your Boundaries

How do you work on changing the five people that surround you? By setting boundaries. Boundaries shape our relationships. Your life will change when you make and follow through with the limits you set.You teach people how to treat you. What do you allow? Do you feel underappreciated, overworked, used, or exhausted with certain people? Do you let clients call you at all hours, or do you have working hours? Do you tell people if they do something that upsets you? Do you set expectations? Do you tell others your expectations? Learn to use your voice, set boundaries, and watch your relationships change for the better.

Summary: How to Be A Better Version Of Yourself:

You 2.0 is just a decision away. Here is a summary of some ways to become a better you:

1. Learn or Do Something New
2. Change Your Habits
3. Practice Focusing 
4. Work On Inner Self

Upping your skillset, whether directly connected to your career or not, will help you provide massive value to your clients. You’ll benefit in multiple areas of your life and evolve into the person you hope to be! Go for it! Success is a choice. You got this!