Self-improvement is our best aim at creating hope for tomorrow. Whether we eat cleaner, exercise more, or prioritize face-to-face conversations over mindless scrolling, we create room for personal growth and success. In fact, people who are always trying to improve themselves have these 15 things in common.
1. They’re goal-oriented.
People who consistently strive to better themselves have short- and long-term goals. They understand who they want to become and what it will take to become that person. Self-improvement requires a desired finish line, and people who always try to improve themselves reach that finish line with “SMART” goals—goals that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Timely.
2. They’re familiar with failure.
People who constantly set high standards for themselves know full well that it’s impossible to reach the mark day in and day out. Success can’t always be measured by crossing the finish line but by the willingness to persevere despite setbacks, mistakes, and failures.
3. They’re their own worst critics.
Being familiar with your shortcomings can easily make someone their own worst critic. Those who always try to improve themselves can tally each mistake and feel the weight of all losses, yet they often fail to realize that most people aren’t holding them under such a critical microscope and they need to cut themselves some slack.
4. They learn to develop a healthy relationship with failure.
It’s possible to beat imposter syndrome, and once a highly motivated person can accept their failures without tearing themselves down, they can establish a healthy relationship with failure. As a result, failure becomes wisdom, creating a launching pad for future success.
5. They’re open to new ways of doing things.
People who are always trying to improve themselves understand how important it is to be open to new resources. One method of exercise might work better for some but not others. One study habit might click for one brain but not another. Those who consistently aim to better themselves are flexible in the methods they use to achieve their goals.
6. They’re willing to take advice.
Social media is a sea of strangers’ voices telling us which products to try, which relationships are red flags, and which jobs work less but pay more. Opinions are endless, which can feel daunting. However, highly motivated, goal-oriented people can drown out aimless opinions while being open to healthy advice from trustworthy, experienced people.
7. They’re willing to take risks.
Most worthwhile things in life require sacrifice, and no sacrifice is risk-free. People who are driven toward self-improvement acknowledge that bettering themselves might require risking a pay cut, a relationship, or even their reputation, and no matter how intimidating the risk is, they understand it’s worth the final reward.
8. They find older/more mature mentors.
People who are consistently improving themselves open up to those who are older and/or more mature; they adopt mentors with experience and learned lessons on their side. This requires a balance of humility and wisdom—humility to admit a need for help and wisdom to discern who offers the healthiest advice.
9. They value words of affirmation.
Different people receive love, affection, and praise in different ways, but often, those who are highly motivated enjoy it when someone else recognizes their work. They don’t need confetti or a parade because they are successful for themselves, but they are further motivated by a simple “Well done!” from family, friends, and coworkers.
10. They can be easily drained.
When a person is always striving to better themselves, they rarely make room for rest. This easily leads to burnout, which can not only wipe out the body but discourage the mind and spirit. Super self-motivated people need to recognize personal signs that burnout is on the horizon.
11. They need a healthy recharge.
Since burnout is so easy for those who are always working on themselves, they must find a way to healthily recharge. Whether that’s designating a break from screen time, taking a walk outside, or grabbing coffee with a friend, it’s important to know when to pause the striving and take a breather.
12. They need hobbies unrelated to your goals.
Highly motivated people must find extracurricular activities that are unrelated to their goals. If someone’s goal is to finish their degree in Art, they need a hobby outside painting or drawing that offers a creative outlet separate from anything centered on achievement.
13. They need healthy boundaries.
People who are always trying to improve themselves need healthy boundaries—parameters for themselves and others. Personal boundaries look like allotting only a certain amount of time for goal-crushing followed by a period of rest. Boundaries with others look like separating from those who don’t offer encouragement and support.
14. They value time.
Remember the “SMART” goals? “T” stands for “Timely” goals, which means those who constantly seek to improve themselves recognize the gift of time. They maximize their schedules and balance priorities, acknowledging that they need time focused on work, rest, and relationships with others.
15. They are available to help the next one in line.
Those who value self-improvement tend to recognize that same drive in others. Often, they are not only available but willing to help the next one in line reach their goals. The mentee becomes the mentor, which makes self-improvement twofold—helping oneself creates the opportunity to help someone else.
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