The self-improvement industry is a huge one and based on the vast number of books and websites on the topic it would seem also a potentially very lucrative one. As such there is really no shortage of information on the topic and the entire web is pretty much an instruction manual for earning more money, making more friends and being more influential and impressive.
But while there’s lots of information on how to improve your lot in life and start accomplishing more in terms of concrete results, there is a lot less information when it comes to doing things that I would genuinely consider to improve us as people. Surely self-improvement should at least partly be about becoming a better person – and surely for most of us there is more to being a better person than just getting richer and stronger?
So the question is, how do you go about really improving yourself in the ways that will really help you to be a better person. Here we will look at some ways you can better yourself, become more popular, give more back to the world and contribute more that’s actually worthwhile and likely to make a lasting difference in the lives of others.
Do Good Deeds
One of the first things you can do to start being a better person and living a better life is to make a concerted effort to do more good deeds. A good deed can mean anything from helping a stranger to cross the road to helping your friends to move out of their current home. Most of us will encounter plenty of opportunities to help, so by just making the commitment to say yes when they arise you will find yourself doing a lot more for the people you encounter.
Improve Your Traits
We all have traits that we aren’t particularly proud of. For some of us it’s jealousy, for others it’s selfishness and for yet others it’s being judgemental. Do an honest appraisal of your current personality traits and then make a resolution to work on those qualities and improve them. Focus on one at a time, and again just make an effort to remember your resolution the next time you’re not being supportive, or you’re being bitchy about someone’s way of life, and then correct your behaviour accordingly. Your aim is to become the kind of friend that is always there when people need you, that people can talk to about anything, and who will never say a bad word about anyone.
Find a Cause to Support
Getting behind a cause is a great way to make longer lasting and further reaching changes to the world. Of course there’s only so much time and money that we can give, and it is important to make sure you look after yourself as well. Nevertheless finding a cause to support and then donating to at least one charity/volunteering can be a great way to do something that has more meaning.
Prioritise
While giving to charity and helping others is a great way to do more good, your priority should nevertheless always be to those people who are closest to you – and that doesn’t mean waiting until they have a problem. A good person is someone who puts their friends and family first, who has lots of time for them, and who spends lots of time chatting or doing fun things with them. If you’re constantly buried in work/out partying then your life will be somewhat shallow compared to spending time with those who love you.