Introduction to Improvement - What & Why?

Hello Reader

What does it mean ‘To Improve’?

‘To Improve’ means making or becoming better. Making something better implies looking outward from oneself; refining a system, upgrading a process, or helping others succeed. Becoming better, on the other hand, is focused internally; understanding ourselves, realizing our strengths, developing our weaknesses, and determining what works best for each of us. In both of these lights, internal and external, improvement is about bettering our current reality; going from where we are to where we want to be.

Why Improve?

I will break this question down into becoming and making things better.

Why become better?

• The most basic reason why I am trying to improve myself is because there are areas of my life where I am not where I want to be. My posture is poor. My video skills for Team Improvus can definitely be taken to the next level. My eating habits could use some active pruning. I see the benefits of bettering these skills, habits and behaviours - my aim is to get to where I want to be.

Why make things better?

• Well, I reckon all humans have an innate drive to make things better; a consequence of continuously improving our chances of survival in the harsh tundra of history. For me, making things better is also about reducing frustration, creating efficiency, increasing rewards, and because I believe it is a responsibility to make things better if we have the capacity to do so.

I wanted to add that I love improving; the joy in learning a new skill. The delight of making something more effective. The sense of achievement in overcoming a challenge.The pride in actualising a change in myself. These are the rewards of life and I enjoy reaping them. 

Warning - Beware the Hamster Wheel of Improvement

Reader, there is a danger that improving can become all consuming. The Self-Help industry is huge and persuasive, it continuously urges us to do better, get better, and be better. It is easy to get caught up in this hamster wheel of improvement; reading a new ‘Guide to Success’ every month, diving into the endless life-changing solutions offered by gurus, or comparing ourselves to this person or that person. All of this consumption can lead to an attitude of never feeling adequate. Never believing we are good enough. Never accepting and respecting ourselves for where we are right now. I urge us to recognise this external force, and instead, ensure we are approaching improvement for the right reasons.

My Improvement Precepts

Personally, I am leaning into a few key precepts when it comes to improving.

Know my Whys

There are times when I have been improving something for the wrong reasons. The classic example is physical appearance; trying to improve my weight, clothing, skin, etc. because I am comparing myself with others and society is compelling me to be a certain way. Now, the very fact of knowing why I want to improve something ensures that I am doing it for the right reasons and it comes from a place of authenticity. Explore my exercise on Improvement: Check-In for more insight into this …

Clear Steps & End Point

If I don’t have a clear end point and steps on how I am going to get to my destination, then I can never say I am done. The hamster wheel of improvement revels in this, as it makes it so much tougher to climb off! Establishing clear steps and an end-point allows us to have a finish line and gives us permission to celebrate the progress we have made, instead of continuously believing we haven’t made it.

Balance Improving with Doing

The nature of improvement is very future oriented. We are striving to get better now so that we can reap the rewards somewhere down the line. If we are always looking towards the future, we will never enjoy the present, so I urge myself to balance the improving for the future with the doing in the present. There are times for improvement and there are times to just relish the joy of the now.

My philosophy is to continuously strive to be better and celebrate where I am now.

Wishing you an absolutely wonderful improvement journey!

Helping Young Professionals and Postgraduate Students Improve