100 Self Improvement Tips (2024)

Work on yourself more than you do on your job.
– Jim Rohn

I love this Jim Rohn quote as it exemplifies just how powerful personal growth can be—more important than what you do for 40+ hours per week.

That’s why I created this space—a place for moms to come to work on themselves (this is what we do as a community in Mom On Purpose Membership).

Today, I’m sharing specific self improvement tips with you to help you get a little bit ahead.

Self Improvement Tips

Below is a list of my 100 self improvement tips, listed by categories including health, relationships, money, career, personal development, recreation, environment, and service.

These tips will allow you to learn how to deal with hard things and live your life intentionally.

Health

1. Create a meal plan. Planning out your meals ahead of time will help you spend less money and stick to your health goals. Start with small steps if needed and plan out a few meals a week ahead of time working your way to planning the whole week.
2. Stop eating fried food. Fried food makes you feel awful for ~24 hours (not to mention it lacks nutrients). You’ll feel better if you cut out fried food. Here are some tips on how to stop Emotionally Eating.
3. Don’t go more than 3 days without exercising. Exercising gives you energy, helps relieve stress, and helps you get fit. It’s too hard to squeeze it in every day sometimes, but don’t go more than 3 days without it.
4. Eat minimal dairy. If you have a sensitive stomach, try cutting out dairy. For some people, this can eliminate digestive problems.
5. Cut out one of the following: pop, coffee, alcohol, or sugar. If you could cut all these, then even better (but I would think you are a superhero)! Listen to my podcast on How I Quit Drinking Alcohol.
6. Get enough good sleep. This may be 5.5 hours or it may be 8 hours – whatever it is for you, make sure you get it. The quality matters just as much as the time spent sleeping. Sleep allows you to regenerate and gives you greater concentration.
7. Focus on building strength more than on being skinny. This will create positive goals that are attainable and healthy for you.
8. Make sure you get enough Vitamin C and D. Both of these can impact your health in a positive way if you get enough (and can have the opposite effect if they’re lacking). Check with your doctor which vitamins she recommends.
9. Drink enough water every day. A good rule of thumb is to divide your body weight by 2 and that’s how many ounces you should drink.
10. Keep track of your annual, routine doctor appointments and don’t miss any. Put a recurring reminder on your calendar for things like dental checkups, skin checks, and physicals so you don’t miss any. Take your preventative care seriously.
11. Take fitness classes or hire a personal trainer. If you struggle to get fit, classes or a trainer are great ways to go. Just make sure you can afford it!
12. Subscribe to a health blog. Learn about healthy living as a lifestyle practice little by little every day.

Relationships

13. Be your own best friend. Learning to love yourself will create a centeredness that everyone deserves to experience. You’ll be happier in every area of your life.
14. Set relationship goals. You wouldn’t start a business, career, or anything else super important without setting goals, so why skip relationships? Start small and come up with goals together. More on relationships in this blog post, How To Have Better Relationships and this podcast, Toxic And Difficult Relationships.
15. Put as much effort into your relationships as you do into your work. This is hard for type-A, achievement oriented people. However, it’s absolutely necessary. People matter the most. Prioritize your people.
16. Give people the benefit of the doubt. If you make this a practice, you’ll be happier. You won’t question people as much, and you’ll find that you’re less judgmental.
17. Have family meetings. Discuss how things are going, including your personal goals, financial goals, and anything else. It’s good to have a time to check-in with each other.
18. Call one friend or family member once a day. It’s important to stay connected to the people most important to you. Instead of feeling overwhelmed by the need to stay in touch, simply call one person you care about every day. This way, over time, you’ll stay in touch with everyone.
19. Don’t be a victim. Whatever your circ*mstances are, take ownership of them. Then, take action. If you feel like your situation is someone else’s fault, you’ll never change it.
20. Learn to argue productively. Arguing is part of any healthy relationship. Learn how to do it constructively and respectfully. No name calling or yelling. Take my free class on How To Deal With A Challenging Relationship.
21. Say sorry the right way. Don’t use “ifs” in your apologies (e.g.: “I’m sorry if I upset you). Address your apology head-on and take responsibility for your actions.
22. Don’t put your partner down in public. This is one of the worst things you can do. It’s disrespectful and harms the relationship.
23. Stop negative thoughts about other people when you begin to think them. This practice can become a habit, and when it does, you’ll get out of a negative mindset. You’ll be happier and less judgmental, too.
24. Commit to playing with your kids regularly. It’s not enough to provide for them financially. They need your time (and quality time at that).
25. Prioritize your kids over your work. This is hard for the breadwinner of the family, but it’s worth it. Your regrets at the end of your life will be about people – not work. Prioritize your people.

Money

26. Check your financial accounts daily. This habit will keep you informed on the reality of your financial situation. It’s a simple action that can pay off big.
27. Spend less than you make. This rule is so simple, but so hard to follow for so many people. If you live by this rule, you have a shot at building an extraordinary financial future. Learn how to start a budget to get started.
28. Save a 3-6 month emergency fund. Because emergencies happen to everyone and having cash will lessen the stress.
29. Check your credit reports annually. This will help you know whether your identity has been compromised and what your credit score is. I put this on my calendar to do every January, which helps keep it as a habit.
30. Get out of debt. Debt holds you back from options. Learn how to get out of debt and stay out.
31. Pay off your credit cards in full every month. If you don’t, you’ll be paying interest that compounds over time.
32. Make more money. If you have an income problem (meaning you don’t make enough money to cover your expenses and reach your financial goals), then find ways to make more money.
33. Pay yourself first. You’re always going to find ways to spend your money, even with pay increases. To make sure you’re saving, auto-deposit money into a savings account immediately when you’re paid. Learn how to automate your savings.
34. Put more financial margin in your budget. Find ways to cut spending and make more money so you have more money left at the end of the month as a buffer. Remember, it’s better to want than to owe.
35. Spend money on experiences (not things). Research shows spending on experiences results in being happier. You will remember the experience you had and not the stuff you bought.
36. Save for retirement. If you want to retire one day, you need to plan for it. The earlier you start, the more you benefit from compounding interest.
37. Hire a financial advisor if you can afford it. Having the right professional manage your money can give you an advantage and help you succeed financially. But make sure you hire the right advisor for you.

Career

38. Do work that fulfills you. This will make every day fly by. You’ll be happier and content with your life. Don’t give up until you find it.
39. Quit your job if you hate it. Life is too short to spend it doing something you hate. That’s why I quit practicing law to become a financial planner and blogger. I couldn’t be happier!
40. Find ways to work from home. There are so many ways you can make money from home. If you can with your full time job, that’s great. If you can’t, then find other ways to increase your income streams.
41. Find a mentor. A mentor is a professional coach of sorts. Having someone you trust who is doing what you want to be doing can pay off big time.
42. Dress for the job you want. It pays to be well dressed for the job you want. People will see you in that roll. This advice is worth so much if you actually do it.
43. Remember that likeability matters to work. There are studies that show likeability is one of the most significant factors in getting hired and promoted. Make an effort to fit in with the culture.
44. Take constructive feedback positively. This can help you grow and become better at your job.
45. Give praise to people you work with. Doing this publicly will make people feel appreciated, and they’ll like you more for it, too.
46. Focus on increasing the skills you’re good at and outsourcing what you’re bad at. You’ll get more done, enjoy what you’re doing more, and find more downtime if you do this. Don’t waste time focusing on what you’re bad at. Get someone else to do it who is good at it.
47. Develop leadership skills. Learning how to be a good leader will prepare you for your career and for life. Work on your own personal growth no matter what position you hold. There’s always room to grow.
48. Read books about career development. Enhance your skills by reading about career development. This will help you excel faster and achieve success faster because you will grow faster.

Personal Development

49. Take one of my free courses. They can be found on my Resources page. I cover topics such as Time Management, Relationships, Anxiety, and much more!
50. Find a way to express gratitude daily. This is one small way to be happier every day. It can change your perspective to a positive mindset, which will carry over into all aspects of your life.
51. Stop being a perfectionist. It gets in the way of your happiness (and it annoys other people)!
52. Get a good coach. A good coach will help you see your mind, so you can get past your own limitations. You’ll grow exponentially and create a life better than you ever imagined. Learn more about Mom On Purpose Membership here.
53. Practice self awareness. Look at your thoughts and feelings regularly. Become the watcher of your own mind. This way, you’ll see that your beliefs are what create your results.
54. Forgive regularly. When you forgive, you set yourself free from resentment and pain. It’s not about the other person. It’s about you.
55. See the world with a glass half full mentality. You can learn to train yourself how to be happier and have a positive attitude. The book The Happiness Advantage by Shawn Achor can help you learn how to do this.
56. Be an abundance thinker (not a scarcity thinker). Abundance thinkers welcome competition, default to trust, and are optimistic about the future. Scarcity thinkers fear competition, assume mistrust, and are negative about the future. Take my Scarcity Vs. Abundance Mindset Free Course here.
57. Listen to podcasts during your commute. One great way to learn while you’re wasting time is during your commute. I highly recommend listening to my podcast, the Design Your Dream Life Podcast, for weekly personal development lessons to help you live intentionally.
58. Positive Affirmations. While positive affirmations don’t work if youdon’tbelieve them—they absolutely work if you believe the thoughts you’re repeating. For example, you can repeat “money is easy” over and over but unless you believe it, it won’t be true for you long term.
59. Start a business you’re passionate about.
60. Stay motivated. Like Zig Ziglar said, “People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.” CLICK HERE to download my free Podcast Directory.
61. Implement supportive habits. It’s not enough to rely on motivation. You need to implement habits into your life. Read 11 Habits You Need To Stop to get started.
62. Limit your TV to less than 30 minutes / day on average. TV is such a time suck and it’s completely passive. Instead of watching TV, evaluate a better use of your time that aligns with your values.
63. Start meditating. Meditation can be one of the most useful ways to relieve stress and find inner contentment. It also helps with anxiety. Feeling stressed? Try a meditation app to get started.
64. Get out of your comfort zone. Personal development means growing as a person. And the only way you’ll grow is from new experiences, which often require you to get out of your comfort zone. The more you get use to this, the easier it becomes.
65. Have faith in something bigger than you. Believing in God or another higher power can make your life more meaningful. Decide what you believe in and commit to that.
66. Go to church. Or wherever suits your fancy! Just get around people who believe in something like you do. It’s good for your soul.
67. Know what you want from your life. If you don’t know what you want, you’ll wander somewhere you may not like. To avoid this, do a year end reflection on the last 12 months. Get started with how to do a year end reflection.
68. Set goals. Goals will help you create a roadmap of how to get where you want to go. Learn how to set goals to get started using the SMART method.
69. Create a mission statement for your life (or one area of your life).Using a mission statement can help you focus on your number one priority. This helps make decision-making easier.
70. Have a go-to activity to get you out of a funk. Whatever works for you – do that. Whether it’s going for a run, taking a nap, painting, etc. Find an activity you do that helps you clear your mind.
71. At the end of the year reflect on the prior year by going through your calendar. Something I learned from 15 Invaluable Laws Of Growth by John Maxwell and have been doing for years. It helps you prioritize your time and money by looking at what you did the year before.
72. Journal regularly. Journaling is a way to express your thoughts in writing. It will bring you clarity in a deep way. A side effect of journaling is documenting life events, too. I am obsessed with the Five Minute Journal and The Productivity Planner – I use both every day. Find what works for you. Here’s a look at a review of 8 journals and planners to get started.
73. Read at least one book a month. Reading will help you grow and develop. Reading is where you can excel with self-education. Here’s a look at my reading list.
74. Wake up early. You can benefit from starting a morning routine every day. Push your alarm clock time back one minute every day until you’re waking up early enough to do your morning routine.
75. Create a morning routine that you do before work. If you prioritize going what’s important to you before you start work, the day won’t escape you and you’ll actually do these things. Examples include journaling, working out, praying, etc. Here’s a post that will teach you how to create a better morning routine.
76. Keep notes in a digital folder. Set up an online account where you can keep notes (I use Evernote). It’s amazing what you’ll discover you want to remember (notes from books, quotes you hear, podcast episodes, etc.).
77. Read personal development blogs and listen to personal development podcasts. To continue to learn and grow, spend time reading and listening up on personal development blogs. Here are my 13 Favorite Personal Development Podcasts.

Recreation/Fun

78. Make time for fun if you’re an overachiever. Fun is necessary to your health and happiness. For the type-A, overachiever, put fun in your schedule. You’ll enjoy life more.
79. Cut back on fun if you’re an underachiever. The opposite is true if you tend to spend all your free time having fun. If you are disorganized, haven’t cleaned in a while, or have no idea what your goals are – cut back on the fun and spend time thinking and working on personal development.
80. Pursue a hobby that you love – just for fun. This will give you ownership of something you do just for you.
81. Find creative ways to have fun experiences without spending a lot of money. Getting creative with your fun on the cheap will push you outside your comfort zone and into new experiences you wouldn’t otherwise have.
82. Laugh, be silly, and find your inner child. Play (anything for the joy of doing) has the power to significantly improve everything from your brain power to personal health to relationships to your ability to innovate.
83. Get outside and play. The outdoors allows you to explore and take adventures in a way you can’t get otherwise.
84. Laugh as much as possible. Laughter is good for the soul. Laughter gives you a jolt of happiness instantly. If you can increase how much you laugh, you can increase your overall happiness.

Environment

85. Create a vision board for motivation and inspiration. Having your visions and goals in front of you is a great way to stay on track with where you’re headed in life.
86. Stay organized. Implement organizational habits that instill organization across all areas of your life, including your home (every room and closet), your office, and anywhere else you spend time. Be mindful of bad habits you have and do you best to make them no longer habits. An organized space will help you clear your mind. More here on How To Work More Efficiently From Home.
87. Plan your weeks and weekends ahead of time. Use a calendar (digital or manual) and keep it in the “month view”. This will give you an overarching view of the month so you can plan your week and upcoming weeks ahead of time. I use my gCalendar for this. I use the Productivity Planner for weekly planning.
88. Keep a to-do list. Alongside your calendar, keep a list of actions you want to complete. Check off each item as you complete it and add to it as you have more things to get done. Knowing what your priorities are will help you accomplish your goals without getting sidetracked. Check out my Time Management Tools Free Course where I show you how to be more productive with your time.
89. Purge anything you haven’t used or worn in over a year. Go through every item in your closet that you haven’t worn in over a year and yourself if you love that item. If you don’t love it, get rid of it. I talk a lot about minimalism in my post, Minimalism, Money, And My Clothes.
90. Do your most important task first every day. This will help you accomplish your goals and avoid getting sidetracked by day to day distractions.
91. Commit to one cleaning or organizational task per day. Small tasks compounded over time lead to great results. This will keep your house nice and tidy!
92. Read The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo. This book is a well renowned organizational manual with actionable tips that can change the way your organize forever.

Service

93. Practice generosity. Instilling generosity as a way of life can impact the world in a huge way. And as a side effect, you’ll be happier, too.
94. Appreciate where you are in life. When you are thankful for your circ*mstances, you are stronger because you’re not a victim.
95. Practice mindfulness. Learn to be present and mindful of the moment. While planning ahead is good, don’t let that detract from being present and centered. CLICK HERE to take the free class How To Become A More Mindful Mom
96. Create a gratitude jar that you put one note into every week. Expressing thankfulness on a weekly basis will help you be aware of how lucky you are in addition to give you something at the end of the year to look back on. I’m doing this now and it’s really fun!
97. Practice gratitude.The more you express how grateful you are, the happier you’ll be. You’ll also attract more positive things into your life. The fastest and easiest way to practice gratitude is with the Five Minute Journal, which is what I use.
98. Be a mentor. This is a rewarding way to give back to the younger generations.
99. Volunteer and give your time. Giving your time (your most precious resource) is a profound way to give back.
100. Commit to donating a specific percent of your income every year. This is the best way I know how to practice consistent financial generosity.

A Final Note

This list is the perfect way for you to get started improving your life right now. For more accountability, join me inside Mom On Purpose Membership.