🪞Working on Yourself🪞
How setting aside an hour a day for self-improvement can compound your future
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Jay Gatsby’s Schedule
My library of books remains in the corner of my eye throughout the day. As I work, I eye the library and I’m reminded of the time and place where I read each book. This past week, I caught The Great Gatsby which sits on my shelf and reminds me of my high school English class. For a brief summary, The Great Gatsby is a novel written by F. Scott Fitzgerald, published in 1925. The story is set in the Roaring Twenties and primarily takes place on Long Island, New York. It is narrated by Nick Carraway, who becomes friends with his enigmatic and wealthy neighbor, Jay Gatsby.
I leafed through my copy and came across Gatsby’s schedule below:
Gatsby's schedule:
Rise from bed 6.00 A.M.
Dumbell exercise and wall-scaling 6.15 - 6.30
Study electricity, etc 7.15 - 8.15
Work 8.30 - 4.30
Baseball and sports 4.30 - 5.00
Practice elocution, poise and how to attain it 5.00 - 6.00
Study needed inventions 7.00 - 9.00
Gatsby’s General Resolves:
No wasting time at Shafters or [a name, indecipherable].
No more smoking or chewing. Bath every other day.
Read one improving book or magazine per week.
Save $5.00 [crossed out] $3.00 per week.
Be better to parents.
Although a fictional character, it’s evident that Gatsby prioritizes self-improvement. Gatsby tackles his health, relationships, and education every day. What’s particularly funny is that Gatsby crosses out his resolve to save $5.00 to $3.00, making himself aware of his faults. In 1925 (the year the book was written), that would amount to saving ~$87 a week in 2023 money according to an online inflation calculator.
The Self-Improvement Movement
The whole idea of self-improvement is like this timeless, universal adventure that doesn't care about borders or generations. It's this thing that's really picking up speed lately, with lots of folks trying to become the best versions of themselves. So, let's dive into this self-improvement journey, why it's such a big deal, and how it can totally make life better.
The Story of Self-Improvement
Self-improvement has been around forever. Ancient thinkers like Socrates, Confucius, and Aristotle were some of the OG self-help gurus. They were all about making you think, question stuff, and become a better person.
But, the modern self-improvement movement, the one with all the books and speakers and stuff, really took off in the 20th century. People like Dale Carnegie, Napoleon Hill, and Norman Vincent Peale started dishing out advice on how to find success, happiness, and all that good stuff.
Now, in the 21st century, it's evolved even more thanks to the internet. You've got self-help books, podcasts, YouTube channels, and online courses galore, making personal growth easier to grab than your morning coffee.
Why Self-Improvement Rocks
So, why is this self-improvement stuff so important? Well, it's like your personal life power-up button. Here are some pretty awesome reasons why it matters:
Personal Growth: Self-improvement is all about growing and becoming a better you. It's a journey of figuring yourself out, being more self-aware, and mastering this thing called life.
Feeling Better: It's like a shortcut to being happier and less stressed. You've got mindfulness, stress management, and goal-setting tools that can zap anxiety and boost your overall happiness.
Better Connections: When you work on yourself, you tend to rock in your relationships too. Communication, empathy, and self-confidence skills are like glue for strong connections with others.
Career Boost: Loads of people are into self-improvement to climb that career ladder. Things like time management, leadership skills, and problem-solving are golden tickets to professional success.
Being Tough: Life's not all rainbows and unicorns, right? Self-improvement helps you bounce back from hard times with style and determination. Resilience is your superhero cape.
Self-Improvement Hacks
There are tons of ways to supercharge your self-improvement game. Here are some cool techniques to get you started:
Goals: Set some clear and doable goals – for your health, career, love life, or just becoming an all-around awesome human.
Read more about financial goal setting from my post earlier this year:
Mirror Time: Spend a little time talking to yourself (not like a crazy person, though). Reflect on your strengths and areas where you could level up.
Zen Vibes: Try mindfulness and meditation to chill out, reduce stress, and focus like a ninja. It's good for your mental and emotional well-being.
Keep Learning: Never stop soaking up new knowledge and skills. That could mean hitting the books, learning from cool people, or just trying new stuff.
Healthy Living: Your mind and body are BFFs. So, exercise, eat well, and get enough beauty sleep – they're all part of the self-improvement package.
Read more about the correlation between health and wealth here:
Applying Self-Improvement In My Own Life
This post wasn’t written in a vacuum. Over the past year, I’ve focused on self-improvement in my personal and professional life. After nearly 365 days, I’m only beginning to see the effects of what self-improvement can look like.
Here are a few things I’ve changed for myself:
Remove social media
Swiping for hours every day contributes to nothing. Lost time can’t be reclaimed.
Prioritize my health
Like really prioritize. Cut back on the junk food. More cardio and weight lifting within my routine.
Prioritize my relationships
Your family and friends are your cornerstone. They’ll care for you as much as you care for them.
Explore my spirituality to the next level
Rooting my morality and belief to craft my own identity
In conclusion, I’m reaching the age where I am tired of surviving and I’m looking for thriving in a better future.
If you compare the differences from Jay’s Gat
Bettering You / Better Finances
You know what they say, "The best investment you can make is in yourself." It sounds like a cliché, but it's a cliché for a reason - it's true. Think about it this way: when you improve your skills, knowledge, or overall well-being, you're increasing your value. And increased value can translate into a higher income.
For example, let's say you invest time and effort in honing your professional skills. You become more knowledgeable, more efficient, and, well, simply better at what you do. What happens? You could very well snag that promotion or a raise. That's extra cash in your pocket, right there.
But it's not just about your career. Self-improvement can help you become more disciplined, more focused, and better at managing your time. These are all skills that can have a direct impact on your finances. Better time management means fewer last-minute, expensive takeout meals and more home-cooked dinners. Improved discipline means fewer impulse buys and more saving.
Physical and Mental Health = Wealth
Your physical and mental health play a crucial role in your financial well-being. If you're physically healthy, you're less likely to rack up medical bills and prescription costs. Eating right, staying active, and getting enough sleep can help you avoid these hefty expenses. Plus, when you're in good shape, you're generally more productive and energetic, which can help you perform better at work, leading to those coveted promotions and salary increases.
Mental health is equally important. Stress can be a silent killer when it comes to personal finances. High levels of stress can lead to impulsive spending, overindulgence, and unhealthy coping mechanisms. On the flip side, when you work on your mental well-being through activities like meditation or therapy, you're likely to make more rational financial decisions.
Unlock New Avenues of Income
Let's not forget the possibility of discovering a hidden talent or passion. Sometimes, the journey of self-improvement leads us down new avenues. You might unearth a knack for writing, design, coding, or crafting – something you can turn into a side hustle or even a full-time gig. This side hustle can become an additional source of income, padding your bank account and giving you more financial security.
In 2020, I wrote specifically about side hustles. Read more about that here:
Self-Improvement Resources
Coursera (www.coursera.org): Coursera offers a wide range of online courses on topics like personal development, leadership, and well-being, often in partnership with top universities and institutions.
Udemy (www.udemy.com): Udemy is another platform with a vast selection of courses, including self-improvement and personal development courses taught by experts.
edX (www.edx.org): Like Coursera, edX offers online courses from top universities and institutions, many of which cover personal development topics.
TED (www.ted.com): TED Talks are renowned for their inspiring and educational content. You can find a plethora of talks related to personal growth, motivation, and self-improvement.
Psychology Today (www.psychologytoday.com): Psychology Today's website offers articles, blogs, and resources on various aspects of mental and emotional well-being.
Conclusion: A Win-Win for You and Your Wallet
So, there you have it - self-improvement isn't just about that warm and fuzzy feeling of personal growth. It's also about tangible improvements in your personal finances. You're investing in yourself, increasing your value, and unlocking new opportunities. Your mental and physical health improve, reducing costly medical expenses and poor spending decisions. It's a win-win situation for you and your wallet.
So, embrace self-improvement, my friends! It's not just good for the soul; it's great for the bank balance too.
Have a great week,
Jordan