Be Your Best Self

I often contemplate how I as an individual can be better, live a more fulfilling life, and really gain success and satisfaction.  Answers don’t always come easy and when they do come, following through is a constant challenge.  In my never ending struggle to be better, and in working with others to help them maximize their efforts, two interesting things have stood out to me recently that I know can help each of us be our best self. 

#1 Stay Free   

So many of us become slaves to worthless habits in life.  I suppose this is simply human nature since all of us do it.  From drugs, to negative thoughts, to procrastination most of us are victims to habits that destroy our freedom and therefore make us less than what we can become.  The sad truth is that most of us do not recognize we are addicts to harmful behavioral patterns in our life.  And many of these poor habits seem innocent as they can be as simple as excessively surfing the web, over eating, or constantly checking our mobile device for more updates.  These not so obvious poor habits become a way of life for us and zap our energy and prevent us from being our best.  Our actions, even the very small ones, impact our life and have consequences.  The good thing is that we are in control and we can choose to do those things that will inspire us to be better.  So, we need to examine our lives and get rid of the harmful things we are addicted to no matter how small!  We need to live free!  Poor habits, however harmless they may seem, limit our potential and prevent us from being our best selves. 

#2 Live Courageously

Most of us live with fear rather than courage.  Again this is probably human nature but most of us do not do what we want to do or even what we ought to do because we are afraid.  Though at times fear may be necessary to guide us in the right direction, fear can also greatly limit our ability to progress, especially when we allow it to rule our everyday lives.  When we know we should do something, we should act.  When we really want something, we should act.  Don’t let fear paralyze your progress.  Don’t let fear dictate your life.  Instead courageously do, say, and act the way you know you should.  Stay true to your values, work hard toward your goals, and press forward with your belief in self.       

These are two pit falls in life I’ve noticed I need to work on and I’m sure you do to.  Though challenging, I believe that every effort we make to stay free and live courageously is worth it.  I know that as we strive to do these two things we will be able to maximize our efforts and be our best selves.