Self-improvement has a negative connotation. Often times when people hear this they think there may be something wrong with the person, or the person may think they have something wrong with themselves. To me, self-improvement has never been about something wrong, but rather self-improvement should be seen as a way to continually upgrade myself. This can mean mentally or physically. I have always wondered where my limits are mentally and physically. This is an area of endless curiosity and wonder for me.
We all have weaknesses and strengths. We all have different thresholds for our weaknesses and strengths. Since I was a little kid I have always wondered how I can improve my weaknesses and build on my strengths. I will give an example both mentally and physically.
Historically, one of the biggest mental challenges I have is speaking in public. I've had great experiences speaking in public (best-man speech, proposing to my wife, final graduate presentation) and I have had some rough ones (school presentations, surprise speeches, etc.). This is one area I strive to improve. It is a mental battle more than a physical battle, but this is an area where I can "upgrade" myself. The ability of being comfortable, poised, and confident in your speaking ability can take you places. So how do I improve this? I study from those who do it best, and practice again and again. I can proudly say I have improved substantially, but there is definitely more room for improvement. How far can I one day take this ability? Will I speak like JFK or Obama one day? Maybe—I know it is possible. I choose speaking in public to illustrate the potential for mental improvement because it is often the easiest to relate to. I believe there are so many benefits in being skilled in this capacity that I will always see how far I can try to improve myself here. What are my limits here? Do I have limits here? I enjoy the fact that I do not know the answer…
Let's try this thought process from a physical perspective. Do you ever see someone try a sport later on in life and get hooked? I don't believe they necessarily get hooked on the sport, but I believe they get hooked on improvement. I am sure the sport is fun and entertaining, but they are probably more hooked on the fact they didn't know they could do it. Two areas in my life I see this often are in hockey and in the gym. I see adults start skating with their kids, and shortly after they are more enthused about skating than their offspring. They never learned to skate as kids and didn't know they could. Next thing you know they're signed up for their own team and playing three times a week. In the gym, I often see someone who never was an athlete do their first push-up, pull-up, mile, whatever, and the sense of accomplishment gets them hooked. Next they want to do 5 pushups, 5 pullups, 5 miles. How far can they push themselves? How far can they improve? They don't know, but they're just like me- they're curious about how far they can push it. Personally, I don't ever think I'll be the biggest, fastest, strongest, but I know I can be bigger, faster, stronger. My body has limits, but have I found them yet? A few, but I know I'll never find them all.
I know I am not the only one striving to be better at something- trying to "self-improve". I am continually curious about how I can keep getting better at every facet in my life. It's a lofty challenge that should keep me busy the next 50-70 years. Good thing I am endlessly fascinated by it.
Chris DeVore, Maine
Wildlife Biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Small-business Owner
We all have weaknesses and strengths. We all have different thresholds for our weaknesses and strengths. Since I was a little kid I have always wondered how I can improve my weaknesses and build on my strengths. I will give an example both mentally and physically.
Historically, one of the biggest mental challenges I have is speaking in public. I've had great experiences speaking in public (best-man speech, proposing to my wife, final graduate presentation) and I have had some rough ones (school presentations, surprise speeches, etc.). This is one area I strive to improve. It is a mental battle more than a physical battle, but this is an area where I can "upgrade" myself. The ability of being comfortable, poised, and confident in your speaking ability can take you places. So how do I improve this? I study from those who do it best, and practice again and again. I can proudly say I have improved substantially, but there is definitely more room for improvement. How far can I one day take this ability? Will I speak like JFK or Obama one day? Maybe—I know it is possible. I choose speaking in public to illustrate the potential for mental improvement because it is often the easiest to relate to. I believe there are so many benefits in being skilled in this capacity that I will always see how far I can try to improve myself here. What are my limits here? Do I have limits here? I enjoy the fact that I do not know the answer…
Let's try this thought process from a physical perspective. Do you ever see someone try a sport later on in life and get hooked? I don't believe they necessarily get hooked on the sport, but I believe they get hooked on improvement. I am sure the sport is fun and entertaining, but they are probably more hooked on the fact they didn't know they could do it. Two areas in my life I see this often are in hockey and in the gym. I see adults start skating with their kids, and shortly after they are more enthused about skating than their offspring. They never learned to skate as kids and didn't know they could. Next thing you know they're signed up for their own team and playing three times a week. In the gym, I often see someone who never was an athlete do their first push-up, pull-up, mile, whatever, and the sense of accomplishment gets them hooked. Next they want to do 5 pushups, 5 pullups, 5 miles. How far can they push themselves? How far can they improve? They don't know, but they're just like me- they're curious about how far they can push it. Personally, I don't ever think I'll be the biggest, fastest, strongest, but I know I can be bigger, faster, stronger. My body has limits, but have I found them yet? A few, but I know I'll never find them all.
I know I am not the only one striving to be better at something- trying to "self-improve". I am continually curious about how I can keep getting better at every facet in my life. It's a lofty challenge that should keep me busy the next 50-70 years. Good thing I am endlessly fascinated by it.
Chris DeVore, Maine
Wildlife Biologist with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Small-business Owner