SELF EVOLUTION

BY DANIELLE VENTICINQUE (SHE/HER)

We all have an innate desire to evolve and live our best lives as the greatest version of ourselves. That said, we often get in our own way by keeping a selfdefeating mindset, limiting beliefs, or not practicing consistency or patience. However, all these obstacles can be overcome.

But first, it’s essential to define the best version of yourself. How would you like to evolve or grow? What are the steps required to get there? What’s stopping you?

Growth Mindset

We place many perceived limitations to our evolution on ourselves. These limiting beliefs harbored in negative self-talk create a sense of unworthiness. Recognize these thoughts as counterproductive and untrue, pause and slow your mind. Dismiss these thoughts as a means of nurturing a growth mindset and believe change is possible. Perhaps even try some positive affirmations.

I am capable of growth.

I am worthy of personal evolution.

By flipping the narrative and thinking of challenges as another avenue to learn and grow, we create a fast path to success, attacking any negative perceptions of challenges.

Incorporating the word “yet,” into your words and self-talk will foster growth in the realization that the skill is still being acquired or the goal is processing.

Be cautious of a lack of control mindset. Remember, life happens for you, not to you. You control your mindset, habits, and behaviors, which will determine your fate.

Habits

Everyone can grow and evolve into a completely new version of themselves by cultivating the habits developing the individual.

As with any evolution, it starts with a slight change, creating consistent habits supporting the desired outcome. These daily habits will eventually evolve into a lifestyle, becoming part of the evolved identity.

As Lao Tzu pointed out, “ ... Watch your actions, they become your habits, watch your habits, they become your character, watch your character, it becomes your destiny.”

Are your current habits supporting or hindering the destiny or personal evolution you seek?

Patience

It can be challenging to remain patient in our instantly gratifying world where questions are answered with a couple of clicks and packages arrive at our doorsteps within the hour. But, as science taught us, evolution takes time. There are no instant results. It’s widely accepted that it takes 21 days to create a habit and 90 days to make it a lifestyle, so be patient with your evolution. There’s no better time than the present to begin. Your best self is waiting for you to get out of your own way. +