Self-improvement can be a great way of helping us live out, our best lives. Many times, we may want to fit in by trying to keep up with our peers in order to feel productive or successful. The fear of not being at our best often tends to create an overwhelming urge in us, causing us to seek improvement unceasingly.
A lot of times we look at people around us and notice or make assumptions that they are doing better in life than we are. Other times we hear of self-improvement programs pushing an idea which we intend to adopt. In all of this, we sometimes become lost and overwhelmed no matter how hard we try to be at our best. The feeling that accompanies this emotional thought is that of not being good enough. So, the question is; does the need for self-improvement do more harm than good?
The Need to Improve Isn’t Harmful
It is not a bad idea to want to become a better person. As a positive human being, there should be a continual need for growth and improvement. Not doing so can make you feel like you are stagnating. So, are there signs of an underlying problem as far as self-improvement is concerned? Yes, there is.
The opposite of improvement is decline, deterioration, harm or injury. Having said that, take a moment to ask yourself “Am I putting in the work to upgrade my life or am I just stagnate because of some circumstances?” In other words, everybody has a story to tell that explains why they are where they are in life. However, you and I don’t have to remain there beyond the normal season of getting our life back together. The need to improve is not a bad thing. We all need to strive towards doing better. So how does this idea of self-improvement become an addiction? Let’s read on.
Self-Improvement Can Become an Addictive Habit
Too much need for anything that sucks the happiness out of our lives is what makes self-improvement addictive. The word itself connotes a general lack of self-control or awareness. Recognizing the addiction starts when our peers start sharing with us what they see is a sign. When we idealize other peoples’ life or lifestyle and seek to be more like them than ourselves, our peers or doctor will let us know. We need to ask ourselves, “What thoughts or messages am I committing myself to?” One of the side effects could be, we’re losing our identity. In short, our emotions at times can be very strong, overwhelming, and end up misguiding us to the point, we miss out on who we are suppose to be.
If you believe the message about yourself is, “I’m not good enough”, take a moment to recognize that our thoughts or feelings are symptoms of the addiction. It is from these symptoms, that leads us towards self-improvement. However, our feelings and thoughts can also lead us to a point of never being satisfied. That’s the part you and I need to be aware of at all times.
Balancing the Time Spent on Self-Improvement
This is one of the ways to know when you are becoming too much. It is okay to carve out time to self-improve daily, weekly, monthly, or even yearly. Positive experiences such as the need for self-improvement is good, because it comes with a drive for achievement, productivity, and success in life. It creates a positive aura, stimulating our mind and body to start responding at high levels. Don’t get it wrong. Many times, attending a seminar or reading a book goes a long way into molding a better you.
However, when these efforts tend to consume too much of your free time, you are likely to start changing negatively and not recognize the changes as others may notice. For example, you might start sneaking out of meetings, classes, or events to try and focus more on yourself. When you start canceling other engagements with other people, it could be a sign that you are already addicted to yourself. Consequently, you may have become unbalanced in your passion and need to reassess your initial goal(s). “Have I accomplished my original goal when I first started my journey?”
What Do I Do?
What you and I need to do is first, slow down. Start with getting some rest, plenty of rest, more than normal on a consistent basis so the mind and body can start healing. Eat a balanced meal daily to help detox or cleanse the organs from brain to stomach. Then take a moment to reflect on the effects of how self-improvement has elevated you into becoming who you are. Recognize the power of monitoring self and reflecting on how the intended positive behaviors are turning self into something that keeps you balanced and living out your life to the fullest. Don’t ever quit on becoming a better you that is balanced and free from becoming overly consumed with self-improvement. Set boundaries, move forward, put in the work and Practice U, “The Very Best of You” so that you can Master A Higher Degree of Self. One day at a time.