Setting & Achieving Goals

Self-improvement conjures up images of a lean, trim, muscular body and at least 12 months of robust physical health. There’s certainly nothing wrong with striving for a healthier you every day, but instead of limiting your efforts to physical improvements, what about expanding your definition of self-improvement? After all, there are many aspects of your life where self-growth can be beneficial and may lead to new personal and professional opportunities.

Feed Your Curiosity

Admit it, you’re curious about a great many things but you don’t pursue them due to a lack of time and responsibilities in your personal and professional life. Reassess that belief this coming year! You’ll probably find there’s more time to explore, read and research than you thought, so let your curiosity run wild. It may lead you to a life-changing new interest, perhaps something that dovetails nicely with your skills and likes.

One of the coolest things about indulging your curiosity is that there’s no limit on where it may take you. One interest leads to another, and another, and another. Before you know it, you’re making time to read and spending more time online researching all those awesome new interests. If something calls to you, dive right in and see where it takes you.

Break Out of Your Rut

Life can devolve into a series of ruts if you allow it. For many people, that means coming home after a long day at the office, flopping onto the couch and reaching for the TV remote or gaming controls. While that may be one way of escaping the trials and tribulations of the day, it isn’t healthy, and it robs you of so many other experiences. In the coming year, make a self-improvement resolution to break out of your routine.

Instead of heading straight for the couch, grab your running shoes, hook up the dog and go for a relaxing after-work walk or jog around the neighborhood. Get some fresh air and spend some time alone with your thoughts. Maybe listen to a podcast and learn more about one of your new interests while you walk. Or why not invest in a new fitness watch that measures your every move so you can have real-time updates on your progress? Seeing results in real-time can provide some incredible encouragement to stay active!

And instead of binge-watching your favorite Netflix show before bed, spend an hour reading that interesting book you recently picked up. Or, better yet, use that time to go back to school to obtain that degree that’s always in the back of your mind (online universities make this easier than ever to accomplish, by the way). Breaking out of a stagnant pattern is healthy and can open you to a whole new world of possibilities.

Get Reacquainted with the Dentist

If, like many people, you put off seeing the dentist as long as possible, you’re probably in need of dental attention, whether it’s for a cleaning, a new filling or something a bit more involved. Medical science has made a clear connection between dental health and other parts of your body. Did you know that poor oral health can lead to heart disease? This coming year, don’t blow off that visit to the dentist’s office. Bad teeth can hold you back socially and physically, so get the care you need now. If getting there is inconvenient, look for a practice a bit closer to home, or research dentists that don’t charge quite so much if cost is an issue.

Build Confidence

Good dental health is one good way to restore your self-confidence. But it also helps to set attainable, incremental goals instead of deciding this the year you finally lose 50 pounds and go on a coast-to-coast motorcycle odyssey. Recite a mantra affirming your new outlook, decide to read a book every month, begin learning a foreign language, or register for a class at your local university. Sometimes just getting started can feel like a major accomplishment, a proactive move toward a more resolute you that naturally boosts your confidence.

Want an even bigger boost, why not treat yourself to a professional photography session? This is an incredible way to build your self-esteem, especially when you work with a skilled photographer who can help you show your unique personality through a timeless fine art portrait that you’ll be proud to display in your home.

At AustinBollinger.com, we believe that it’s never too early or too late to make a resolution. So, look for ways to reinvigorate your initiative to give yourself a much-needed boost. It doesn’t have to be physical; it could be an emotional lift or an intellectual activity that makes you feel smarter. Either way, you’ll be on the path to a productive new chapter in your life.