The Importance of Being the Best Version of You

Have any of you ever heard the phrase “be the best version of yourself” or some variation of it? What does that phrase even mean? Are those just hollow words or do they actually have a deeper meaning?

To me, that phrase resonates on a deeper level as I try to be the best version of myself. I believe it is very important that we strive to do our best with anything we try. I have this belief for a couple of different reasons.

Firstly, no one is going to do the work for us. If you want to achieve any of your dreams, you must put in the work for that to happen. A cold hard fact of life is the fact the world isn’t going to hand you an opportunity on a silver platter. Therefore, it is up to you to create opportunities for yourself.

Secondly, the people in your life who love you deserve the best version of you. They are taking time out of their lives to “pour” into you and provide support. Their investment is what you’ll need as fuel to keep you going when times are tough. The way to repay these people who are in your corner is to show gratitude and give your best shot. They will not only celebrate your success but help you pick up the pieces when you fail.

In theory, this sounds great. However, not everyone is going to know how to be the best version of themselves. I want to provide some strategies to help frame your thinking to be able to accomplish this feat.

Set Goals That You Want to Achieve

The first strategy I can suggest to you all is to set goals that YOU want for your life. It is important to note that this is YOUR life and not anyone else’s. We often get caught up in the expectations that other’s set for us. This can definitely stifle our creativity and limit our potential. To avoid this, I suggest that you decide on what you want for your life and communicate this to loved ones. Sometimes, they might not understand our desires and that is okay. Asking them to support us despite those desires is fair. Be sure to return the favor as well.

Remember, this is your life and you must take control of it. Otherwise, this can lead to feelings of inadequacy and lack of fulfillment. I want to note that goal setting can lead to a sense of self-mastery, align our focus, help trigger new behaviors, and help sustain any momentum that is built.

Limit Distractions From Your Life

Next, I want to note that it is important to limit distractions. I am not suggesting that one can’t do things that are considered “mindless tasks” like playing games or watching television. We all need a break from the stressors of our life and taking time away is important.

The distractions I’m talking about are those that lead us away from the goals you set. These distractions can come in all kinds of forms. Some distractions are vices like drugs and alcohol and can take over your life. Other distractions are people who we encounter or our present in our life. They may try to lead you away from your goals or gaslight you into thinking that your goals are “stupid” or “pointless”. A word of advice, please do not allow any pitfalls hinder you from unlocking your dreams and being the best version of yourself.

Make Time to Do Nice Things For Others

Thirdly, it is crucial that we go out of our way to do nice things for others. The world has enough negativity through news outlets, pessimistic people, and other negative media. Promoting positivity through your actions will spread kindness in a world that is badly needed. Also, being kind will make you feel good about yourself and help inspire others to pay it forward. Those positive feelings that you will gain will help propel you forward with your goals.

Practice Your Own Self-Care

Some of you might wonder why do I continue to write about self-care in so many different articles. The reason for that is the importance that self-care should have in our lives. Without self-care, you might become burned out or become very unsatisfied in your life. These negative feelings will lead us to become dejected and not care to become the best version we can be.

Therefore, self-care must be a priority. You have to be intentional on what you plan to do regarding this concept. I would hate to see anyone’s emotional, mental, and physical health take a hit because a person didn’t prioritize taking care of themselves. This is the reason why I am the biggest advocate for this and encourage you all to create your very own self-care plan. If you need any tips, please check out this post here.

If you really want to dive DEEP into creating your own self-care plan, check out the Supportive Father’s self-care course and 30-Day challenge. These offerings will provide comprehensive self-care tips, enable you to reflect, journal, and apply what you learn to your life.

Reevaluate the Progress You Have Made Towards Your Goals

Lastly, I suggest that you all take time to do some self-reflecting about what you have accomplished. Are you still on track for what you have set your sights on doing? Did you get a little sidetracked? A yes to either of those questions is okay. No one is perfect and it is unrealistic to expect a person to be.

However, it is critical that you try to stay on track as closely as possible to whatever ambitions you have. If it takes a little longer than what you expected, that is okay. Life happens and you must not take it too seriously. As long as you are making progress (even if it is very little), then you are actively working towards being the best version of you.

Conclusion

In conclusion, I believe everyone should make a sincere effort in working on becoming the best version of themselves. You owe it to yourself to find whatever it is in life that provides gratification and a high sense of self-worth.

In a world that is constantly looking for ways to tear each other down, I want to provide some ways that can lead others to discovering their purpose. Whether you want to become a CEO, go on a mission trip, or even join the circus, please do your best in working on yourself, your passions, and giving back to other people.