Becoming your best self through small daily habits.
Matthew McReynolds
The Streetwise Franchisee | Helping People Level Up Through Franchise Ownership | Multi-Brand Franchisee | Solution Facilitator | Podcast Host | Serial-Mentee
Becoming your best self through small daily habits is a powerful and sustainable approach to personal growth and self-improvement. Here are some steps to help you get started:
1. Self-Reflection:
- Start by understanding your goals and values. What do you want to achieve in life? What aspects of yourself would you like to improve? Knowing your objectives will guide your daily habits.
Know Thyself. Knowing your current strengths and weaknesses are a great place to start on your journey for growth. Lean in to your strengths. Acknowledging them as true super powers can be a great boost of confidence in a time when you are also recognizing you have no where to go but UP.
2. Set Specific Goals:
- Break down your long-term goals into smaller, actionable steps. Make them specific, measurable, attainable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). This will give you a clear direction to work toward.
Casting a vision for yourself is absolutely mandatory on the journey to level up. If you don't know where you're GROWING, you might grow in the wrong direction. Every step needs to be intentional.
3. Prioritize:
- Identify the most important habits that will contribute the most to your personal growth. Focus on a few key habits at a time to avoid overwhelm.
We always have time for the things we place the most priority to. People who claim to not have enough time, either don't want it bad enough, or they are trying to take TOO BIG of steps at a time.
4. Start Small:
- Begin with tiny, manageable changes to your daily routine. Trying to make big changes all at once can be overwhelming and lead to burnout. For example, if you want to become more physically fit, start with just 10 minutes of exercise a day and gradually increase it.
We often create these lofty goals. These are great! However, in order to make change we need consistency. This comes by breaking down your big goals into tasks that can be done daily with the least amount of friction as possible.
5. Consistency is Key:
- Make your chosen habits a part of your daily routine. Consistency is crucial for long-term success. Set a specific time or trigger that reminds you to perform these habits each day.
The name of the game is 1% growth every single day. The act of casting the vote and making small improvements will eventually compound exponentially until you are completely unrecognizable to those who haven't seen you in a while.
6. Track Your Progress:
- Keep a journal or use a habit-tracking app to monitor your progress. Seeing your accomplishments can be motivating and help you stay on track.
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When I first started running I found the Strava app. Now I don't ever dare going on a run without turning it on. My mindset is truly: if it's not in Strava, it never happened. There is something powerful about tracking your progress if you are pursuing long term growth. It's way too easy to loose hope if you cannot show yourself documented proof of your discipline on the days when you are the least motivated to keep going.
7. Positive Reinforcement:
- Reward yourself for sticking to your habits. Celebrate your small victories along the way to reinforce positive behavior.
My biggest love language is words of affirmation. Sometimes it's not enough to wait for others to give you the encouragement you desire. I know for myself, I need to focus on consistently being uplifting and speaking positively about myself and my progress. Nothing will change over night, but the fact that you are putting in the work every singe day leads to exponential growth over the long haul.
8. Learn and Adapt:
- Be open to learning and adapting your habits as needed. Life is dynamic, and what works today may need adjustments tomorrow. Reflect on your experiences and make necessary changes to improve your habits.
9. Surround Yourself with Support:
- Share your goals with friends or family members who can provide encouragement and accountability. Joining a community or finding a mentor can also be beneficial.
Your network is your NET WORTH. You are who you spend the most time with. If you want to improve, you need to surround yourself with people who are smarter than you, farther along than you, and who have different strengths than you do.
10. Practice Mindfulness:
- Incorporate mindfulness or meditation into your daily routine. It can help you become more aware of your habits, thoughts, and feelings, making it easier to make positive changes.
11. Stay Patient and Persistent:
- Personal growth takes time. Be patient with yourself and understand that setbacks are a normal part of the process. Stay persistent and keep pushing forward.
The game of personal development is a marathon, not a sprint. Honestly, it's much more like an Ultra Spartan race. You are going to get dirty. You will fall down and get hurt. There will be times when you question why you got started in the first place. But with each step you are getting closer to the finish line. You only lose if you quit.
12. Continuously Learn and Grow:
- Read books, take courses, attend workshops, or seek guidance from experts in areas relevant to your goals. Lifelong learning is an essential aspect of personal development.
Remember that becoming your best self is an ongoing journey, and the small daily habits you cultivate will accumulate over time to create significant positive change in your life. Stay committed and focused on your goals, and you will gradually see the results.