Skip to content
We all want to become the best version of ourselves but that doesn’t happen by accident. True personal growth comes from doing the inner work consistently. If you’ve been wondering how to work on yourself in a meaningful way, these 7 practical steps will help you get started and stay focused.
No fluff. Just real strategies that actually make a difference.
Just a quick note: This post contains affiliate links. If you decide to make a purchase, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. This helps support our blog and allows us to continue creating more great content and resources for your personal growth journey.
1. Reflect on past decisions (without judgment)
Want to seriously work on yourself and move forward? First, look back.
True progress isn’t about speed – it’s about direction. And nothing clarifies your path forward like understanding the roads you’ve already traveled.
Your past decisions are a living textbook of:
✓ What energises vs. drains you
✓ Your unconscious patterns
✓ The gap between your intentions and outcomes
Before your next big decision, audit a past one with these 3 questions:
🔥 “What was I really chasing when I made this choice?”
(Status? Security? Approval? The truth hides behind your first answer.)
💡 “What did this outcome reveal about my blind spots?”
(Every result – good or bad – reveals something about your judgment.)
🔄 “If faced with this exact same situation today, how would I handle it differently?”
(This measures your growth, not your regrets.)
Why this approach works:
- Turns hindsight into foresight
- Reveals the difference between who you were and who you are now
- Makes your next decision 10x more intentional
✅ Helpful Tool: Try using a guided journal like this 6-Minute Diary to track reflections and lessons from each week.
2. Audit your current habits
Your daily choices shape your future.
Think your habits are just small routines? Think again. They’re the invisible architects of your life and essential when you really want to work on yourself – building either a future you love or one you’ll want to escape.
Here’s how to crack the code:
📝 Track your day like a detective. From your first scroll to your last snack, write it all down. No judgment, just facts.
⚡ Spot the energy thieves vs. the energy boosters. Which habits leave you drained? Which ones light you up? (Coffee = ⚡, Doomscrolling = 🧟)
🔄 *The 1-1 Swap:* Ditch one habit that’s holding you back and replace it with one that pulls you forward. (Example: Swap 30 mins of Netflix for 30 mins of reading.)
Small changes compound. Your future self will thank you.
✅ Recommended: Use a Habit Tracker like the one available in our WellMindsWorld shop to visualise progress and build momentum.
3. Set intentional, aligned goals
Ditch the wishful thinking – build goals that actually work
Forget ‘try harder’ and ‘do better.’ Vague aspirations die fast. Lasting change demands goals rooted in your values, with clear finish lines. Work on yourself by defining what truly matters – then take purposeful steps forward.
Here’s how to make goals that stick:
⚡ SMART-Proof your plans
Ditch “be more productive” (what does that even mean?). Try: “Complete one personal development book every month for Q3.”
See the difference?
✅ Specific (exactly what you’ll do)
✅ Measurable (count those finished books)
✅ Achievable (one/month won’t overwhelm)
✅ Relevant (ties to growth)
✅ Time-bound (3-month sprint)
This isn’t just planning – it’s creating a runway for your ambition to actually take off.
✅ Tool for Goal Setting: This Clever Fox Goal Planner is a great resource for breaking goals down into actionable steps.
💡 Bonus Freebie: Want a digital tool to stay on track?
Sign up for our monthly newsletter and get a free SMART Goal Tracker for Google Sheets – perfect for organising and tracking your progress in one place. Check this out here.
4. Improve your self-talk and inner dialogue
Rewire your inner voice: the hidden key to growth
Let’s be real: You wouldn’t tolerate someone else speaking to you the way you sometimes speak to yourself.
Personal growth isn’t about whipping yourself into shape – it’s about becoming your own strongest ally. Those quiet moments of self-doubt? They shape your reality more than you think.
Here’s how to intentionally work on yourself and upgrade your mental software:
Step 1: Spot the saboteur
Negative self-talk often disguises itself as “just being realistic.” Catch these red flags:
• “I always mess up” → Overgeneralising
• “I should be better at this” → Unrealistic expectations
• “This is pointless” → Premature defeat
Step 2: Flip the script
Swap draining thoughts for constructive ones:
➜ “I’m figuring this out as I go”
➜ “Progress > perfection”
➜ “This challenge is growing me”
Key: This isn’t about fake positivity – it’s about trading limiting thoughts for liberating ones.
Try this today:
Next time you stumble, ask: “What would I say to a friend in this situation?” Then speak to yourself that way.
✅ Self-Talk Boost: Keep positive affirmation cards (available in our WellMindsWorld shop) on your desk or mirror to shift your mindset throughout the day.
5. Create a mindful self-care routine
Let’s bust the myth: Self-care isn’t selfish – it’s strategic. You can’t pour from an empty cup and personal growth demands a full tank.(Want to learn the truth behind common self-care myths and how to debunk them? Then read this post too: 10-self-care-myths)
Build your energy reserve with this 3-Pillar Routine:
🔋 The Recharge Trio
- Mental space (10+ mins)
- Morning meditation
- Nature walks [Pro tip: No headphones – let your mind wander]
- Evening journaling
- Movement that actually feels good
- Yoga flows (get the must-have yoga mat here)
- Post-work stretching
- 5-minute desk resets
- Digital sunset
- Phone-free first/last 30 mins of day
- Consistent sleep schedule (your future self will thank you)
Why this works:
✓ Small, consistent practices > occasional “treat yourself” splurges
✓ Addresses energy at all levels – mental, physical, emotional
✓ Prevents burnout before it happens
Starter Challenge: Pick one pillar to focus on this week. Track it with these My Weekly Self-Care Rituals tool for accountability (available in our WellMindsWorld shop).
6. Evaluate your environment
You become like the energy you’re surrounded by so choose wisely.
- Audit your social circle: Who supports your growth?
- Clean up your digital space: Unfollow accounts that drain you
- Curate your input: Books, podcasts, conversations
✅ When your environment aligns with your goals, your transformation becomes easier and more sustainable.
7. Progress over perfection – always
There’s no finish line in personal development. The key is consistency, not intensity. Celebrate small wins and give yourself grace when things don’t go as planned.
✅ You’re not broken – you’re growing. Working on yourself is a sign of strength, not a weakness.
Learning how to work on yourself is one of the most empowering things you can do. Whether you’re reflecting on past decisions, setting goals or building better habits, you’re taking intentional steps toward becoming the best version of yourself.
You don’t need to change everything overnight. Just start small, stay curious and commit to your growth journey – day by day.
