In the world of self-improvement, there has been a trend for some time now that heavily focuses on habits.
Especially when browsing YouTube or Instagram, you’ll find many videos with titles like “The Top 3 Self-Improvement Habits,” “Self-Improvement Tier List,” etc.
And many of these habits are indeed justifiable.
Healthy eating, exercise, meditation, waking up early, cold showers, journaling, productivity techniques, reading, etc. can all have a positive impact on an individual’s quality of life.
However, one problem is that these habits are portrayed as the key to self-improvement.
On forums like Reddit, there are even competitions about who has managed to stick with certain habits for the longest consecutive streak.
People post their streaks and boast about the perseverance they’ve shown by maintaining these streaks.
The goal becomes reaching a certain number.
Sometimes, specific numbers are associated with particular ranks and corresponding traits.
But no deeper goal is being pursued…
Superficial Habits, Superficial Changes
A major problem with labeling this approach as self-improvement is that these habits only lead to “superficial” changes.
Yes, your health improves.
Yes, your productivity improves.
But a deeper transformation is not achieved.
Often, people see others on social media portraying a lifestyle that is depicted as desirable and claim that it was just exercise or just daily cold showers that enabled them to lead this lifestyle.
They claim that their life has turned around 180 degrees since they started doing these things.
Maybe so.
But is that self-improvement?
And does that apply to the majority?
Because what I see among friends and family is that everyone is aware of self-improvement habits, but they are only reluctantly carried out or end up on a to-do list, which is checked off with a grumpy attitude.
The habit becomes the goal, and it is proudly proclaimed that self-improvement is being pursued.
True Self-Improvement
True self-improvement cannot be described by an external habit.
It is an inner transformation.
It’s even in the term itself.
It’s about the improvement of the self.
The term “improvement” in this context can be viewed critically since what is seen as improvement or deterioration depends on the historical societal context and the individual living in this society.
And the concept of self also has deep philosophical implications.
There is an entire philosophical school of thought that contemplates the meaning of the self.
But a change of self certainly won’t come about by taking cold showers.
A change of self requires reflection on inner beliefs, attitudes, and thought patterns.
It requires constant work to move from an inner current state to a desired state.
Overcoming an irrational fear is self-improvement.
Eliminating self-destructive thought patterns is self-improvement.
Letting go of beliefs that repeatedly put us in harmful situations is self-improvement.
Only through changing beliefs, attitudes, and thought patterns can it truly be said that the self has changed.
Inner Attitudes and Self-Improvement Habits
Beliefs influence our behavior and thus our decisions.
True self-improvement means questioning and, if necessary, replacing these beliefs.
As we replace our beliefs, our behavior will change accordingly.
If the beliefs are empowering and support us in becoming the person we want to be, we will also start acting in the way we desire.
In short: When we change our mindset, self-improvement habits will naturally follow.
For example, a person who says, “I’m unhealthy, and there’s nothing I can do about it,” will not or only rarely exercise.
If the person manages to change the belief to “I am a healthy person and live a healthy lifestyle” without being delusional, they will start exercising because it now aligns with their identity and beliefs.
When habits confirm these beliefs over time, both will be reinforced.
As you can see, an inner transformation can facilitate an outer transformation of habits.
On the other hand, healthy habits can also support inner transformation.
They are not the main goal of self-improvement but serve as a means to promote clarity and well-being.
This can significantly support actual self-improvement.
The most important self-improvement habits are therefore quite obvious.
They are the ones that can bring about inner change.
So, particularly meditation and (if done correctly) journaling.
Conclusion
Self-improvement is not a series of habits.
It is an inner transformation.
It should be based on inner work to question and, if necessary, change one’s beliefs.
External actions (habits) are a consequence of this self-improvement and can make the process easier.
Moreover, true self-improvement is much more long-term and fulfilling.
Hope I could help. If you enjoyed the article or if you have any questions or comments please let me know down below.
Nick
