This note is an attempt to clarify my approach to self-improvement and the micro-habits I've developed over the years but never consolidated into a single text. These practices aren't unique discoveries to share, rather a collection of different elements that have been challenging to view as a complete picture.
Overcoming uncomfortable
Discomfort comes from the unknown, from lack of experience, and sometimes from fear. I always (or shall I say "we"?) tried to avoid or postpone it, even when I knew I needed it. Probably many do the same. At some point, I decided to try a different approach, knowing I could always return to my comfort zone where I was productive and savvy with familiar things.
It started with admitting things that were new to me or made me uncomfortable. The next step was listing what was missing to achieve the intended outcome. This is when the learning begins. Sometimes it takes weeks or months, sometimes years. If mastery requires 10,000 hours, there's no other way but to pay the price.
I can't say it becomes easier with time. Some effort is constantly required, but it helps with challenging tasks.
Perhaps the simplest example would be learning a new language. It's something you need to do regularly, most likely every day, until you reach the point where you can learn just by using it.
One thing at the time
Schedule and planning are important, and regular actions make a big difference. However, one thing that can impact progress is the number of improvements attempted simultaneously. I've noticed that the fewer new things I tackle at once, the faster I complete them. This isn't a universal truth – everyone is different.
Discipline and schedule make progress happen and, importantly, no motivation is needed. Motivation is merely a substitute for discipline. Discipline means the goal is clear, and a schedule helps with planning. Relying on motivation for long-term goals is often a mistake – it suggests no real necessity for deadlines and schedules, which can ultimately kill results.
Collecting feedback
Feedback is important, but even more important is how we define it. It can be a lead, reaction, agreement, or test results. In any case, feedback provides data for adjustments and validates our chosen course of action. Regular feedback collection creates a cycle of continuous improvement – we act, observe the results, adjust our approach, and move forward with better understanding. This iterative process helps minimize risks and keeps us aligned with our goals.
Trust your judgment
For me, this was challenging, especially when dealing with discomfort and before receiving any feedback. Motivation doesn't work in such cases – only discipline and schedule help with moving forward, and it takes time. Time is always part of the price for acquiring a new skill or achieving a desired result.
Eventually, feedback brings enough data to make informed decisions about the topic I'm dealing with.
I mentioned earlier the example of learning a new language, but my observations about self-improvement steps aren't limited to just learning. This approach works with stock market investment, job searching, immigration, and more. Almost everything can be tackled with some discipline and a sufficient number of attempts.
Conclusion
Growth and improvement come through small, steady steps. While we can't avoid discomfort or speed up the time needed to master something new, we can make progress more manageable. By focusing on one challenge at a time, sticking to a schedule, gathering feedback, and trusting the process, any goal becomes achievable. This approach has worked for me across different areas of life - from learning new skills to making major life changes. The key is not in finding special methods, but in showing up consistently and giving ourselves time to grow.