Self-reflection and change is the real way to "Be Best"

I have spent most of my young adult life trying to explain to people that we are never as good as we can be, and our true potential has never been reached. I know that I can always be better, that I can always improve, and that the best version of myself has yet to come. We should always be striving to reach that upper echelon, and when we actually reach it, that is when we can truly "Be Best".

I have heard it many times over the years, and truthfully, I have said it about individuals many times in my life: "That's just how they are." Most of the time (but not always), we use this to make excuses for someone exhibiting poor traits and shitty behavior. For instance, "he gets like that" or "she has always done it this way" is often used to describe someone with a bad attitude or someone that is so stuck in their ways that they refuse to try something different. The real question is, why do we allow people to be that way? Why do we let people be stagnant instead of encouraging growth?

I have come across many people in my life that were just grouchy and mean; it is not all the time, but the frequency was certainly troubling. Rather than calling them out, we brush it off; we let them just be a dick regardless of how it affects us and others. We should be showing them how they are affecting others and why it is a problem. If someone calls you out on your behavior (or you notice on your own), you should have the decency to make changes to yourself. Just because you are content with how you treat people does not mean that others are. I am sorry, but "This is who I am; take it or leave it" is just not okay; that is simply a weak excuse to not change the horrible traits that you possess.

Along the same lines of improvement, never blame others for where you are in life. We have all been in jobs that we do not like or in positions we would rather not be in. However, rather than blame themselves, too many people blame it on the situation. You may be stuck in a job you hate, but how many new skills have you acquired recently to make you more marketable? When is the last time you actively tried to improve the situation? Too often we blame our boss, the job market, our spouse, children, et cetera for our situation, but then we never actually make an effort to improve our situation. Always try to improve your prospects.

Am I content with everything life? Of course not. I would like to improve my professional situation, and I am never satisfied financially. However, I try to avoid just bitching about it. I try to learn new skills, apply for new jobs, work harder for sales, and make an effort to be better at my current job; I try not to blame the things out of my control for where I am. Instead, I try to change the things that are within my control. Am I perfect? Of course not. We all fall short, and I am far from my ideal self. However, I try to understand, and I try to be kinder, wiser, and more patient so that someone can never say about me, "That's just the way he is". Quit blaming and start reflecting.

#bebest #alwaysimproving