Written by The journey to becoming the best version of oneself is a personal and unique path that requires introspection, understanding, and a commitment to self-improvement. This journey is not about reaching a state of perfection but embracing constant evolution and growth.
Unpacking ‘The Best Version of Myself’
The concept of the ‘best version of oneself’ is complex and multifaceted, encompassing several dimensions. To effectively navigate this journey, one needs to address three core components: values, strengths, and goals (Biswas-Diener, 2012).
Values
Values act as the compass that guides our decisions and actions. They define who we are and what we stand for. Living in alignment with our values often results in increased life satisfaction and personal fulfillment (Schwartz, 2012). Values are often learned from family and community during young years of development.
Strengths
Strengths are our unique skills, talents, and capabilities. Embracing and nurturing these strengths enhances our potential and allows us to excel (Biswas-Diener, 2012). The positive psychology approach shows that focusing on strengths can lead to increased happiness, engagement, and life satisfaction (Seligman, 2018).
Goals
Goals provide a clear vision of what we aim to achieve, giving direction to our actions. Having clear and meaningful goals has been associated with increased motivation, self-efficacy, and success (Locke & Latham, 2013). Making goals, in all aspects of a coach’s life, should be continuously made and refined.
The Journey to Becoming the Best Version of Yourself
This journey requires continuous reflection, self-assessment, and action. A few strategies to consider include:
Self-reflection: Regular introspection helps in aligning our actions with our values, recognizing our strengths, and setting meaningful goals (Schwartz, 2012).
Continuous Learning: Adopt a growth mindset that encourages continuous learning, skill development, and self-improvement (Dweck, 2015).
Embracing Challenges: See challenges as opportunities for growth and learning. They can help you grow stronger and build resilience (Seligman, 2018).
Embarking on the journey to become the best version of yourself is a transformative process, characterized by personal growth, learning, and development. It is not a destination but a continuous path of self-improvement and evolution.
References:
Biswas-Diener, R. (2012). The Courage Quotient: How Science Can Make You Braver. Jossey-Bass.
Schwartz, S.H. (2012). An overview of the Schwartz theory of basic values. Online Readings in Psychology and Culture, 2(1). https://doi.org/10.9707/2307-0919.1116
Seligman, M.E.P. (2018). PERMA and the building blocks of well-being. The Journal of Positive Psychology, 13(4), 333-335.
Locke, E. A., & Latham, G. P. (2013). New developments in goal setting and task performance. Routledge.
Dweck, C. S. (2015). Carol Dweck revisits the ‘growth mindset’. Education Week, 35(5), 20-24.