How can I be better than I am at the moment?

By Tiana Owolabi

PERSONAL development is the process of achieving and expanding your full potential. It covers activities that improve awareness and identity, develop talents and potential, build human capital and facilitate employability, enhance the quality of life and contribute to the realization of dreams and aspirations.

However, personal development is a lifelong process but remains a robust means for people to assess their skills and qualities, consider their aims in life and set goals in order to realise and maximise their potential.

Helen Adams Keller (1880 – 1968), an American author, political activist, and lecturer who was the first deaf-blind person to earn a Bachelor of Arts degree once made this remarks, “Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved.”

This brings us to examine what practical choices and steps to make or take to grow academically, spiritually, mentally, among others.

Firstly, I would like to say that ‘to be better than who you are at the moment requires growth and I will be listing some practical aspects on how to go about it.

Dear friends, this particular question cut across every aspect of our lives as we should all strive to be better than we were.

So, how can I be better than I am?

1.) Accept that you want to be better than before.  Agree and determine within yourself to GROW.

2.) Study yourself to know the areas or things that you need to improve on or cut off.

For instance, if it is in the areas of academic, which subject do you want to improve on? What’s the cause of low grades and how can you tackle it?

Do you want to build your confidence? What caused the lack of confidence? How can you tackle it?

Some of us might need to cut off from some friends that are not adding value to our lives so we can become better.

3.) Deliberately work towards your growth. GROWTH requires a CONSCIOUS EFFORT. It doesn’t come naturally. You have to work towards being a better person.

For example, when you plant a seed, you don’t just leave it like that without watering it so that it can grow.

4.) Understand that Growth is a gradual process. You can’t expect it to occur at once.

Take a step at a time. Be patient with yourself as you grow through the process.

5.) Appreciate and motivate yourself. During the process, you might be down and really need a boost. So, what do you do?

You might need to look back to see how far you have worked to be better.

Appreciate yourself for that and motivate yourself that you can be better than before.

You might also need to talk to someone so you can be motivated or read books. You can take today or any day off to think about ways you can improve and be better than you are.

I believe you can be better. You can do amazing things. Keep pushing.

I hope this helps you.

WHAT I COULD HAVE DISCOVERED EARLIER

It should be noted that without God and without knowing God, it is impossible for one to know his/her purpose or the abilities God has given to him/her.

Yes! You might have had a glimpse of your abilities but in order for you to FULLY actualize God’s given abilities for your life, you need to have a cordial relationship with God.

I gave my to Christ at the age of 16 (few days to clocking the age of 17) and just few months or weeks after, I discovered my writing abilities through one of the ways God communicates with me.

I could have discovered this earlier if I had started early with God, nevertheless it wasn’t too late for me.

Also, I told us previously how your identity and abilities are pointers to fulfilling God’s purpose for your life.

As a teenager, I discovered that I can write and I started writing though I wasn’t bold enough to post it online or anywhere yet. So, I just WRITE.

Dear Friends,

Kindly read the lessons I have for you here.

1.) It is NOT too late or too early to discover the abilities that God has given unto you.

At the age of 6,.7, 8…,18, 19, 20, 21years, you can still discover the abilities that God has given unto you.

2.) Know your Source. Know your Creator because without Him, you cannot FULLY actualize God’s abilities in your life.

3.) After you have known God. Understand how God speaks to you.

He speaks through many ways such as the Word of God (Bible), Revelation, Still small voice, people, environment etc.

4.) What have you discovered? Singing, writing, cooking, drawing etc. START NOW!. You get better by starting NOW.

You get better during the process. To conclude this, let me say that

“If you want to live a life that matters, don’t start when you get good; start now so you become good.” by John Maxwell.

I hope this helps you to want to know God so you can start fulfilling purpose early.

Thanks for reading. You are AMAZING🤩.

Feel free to share, drop your contributions and questions in the comment section or my inbox. I will be glad to respond as soon as possible.

–Tiana Owolabi (08068221976)