- LindaFalasco,LCSW
10 Tips For Becoming the Best You!

Do you want to become the best version of yourself?
I hope you said yes!
Many of us want to be our very best, but we tend to get in our own way. We can be self-destructive in the ways that we think, speak, and act—and without the proper tools, it can be difficult to change. With a little knowledge and some motivation, you can begin making steps toward being a happier, healthier, and more successful you!
Here are 10 tips for becoming the best version of yourself:
Tip #1: IDENTIFY WHO YOU WANT TO BE
To become the best version of yourself, you have to know who you want to be. In order to do this, you need to take the time to do some deep self-reflection by asking yourself a few questions:
What am I passionate about?
What do I want to be doing with my life (e.g., career, family, travel)?
How do I want to feel?
How do I want to live my life?
What do I want to accomplish?
Get yourself a journal and start answering these questions.
Tip #2: LET GO OF THE FEAR OF FAILURE
Do you worry about messing up, not being good enough or concerned about what others may think if you fail? Fear of failure may be holding you back from being the best you there is.
At times it can be hard to accept that you made a mistake or that something you tried did not turn out as expected. In fact it could be devastating to some. Here is a secret-we all make mistakes and fail during our lifetime. Michael Jordan, Tom Landry and Sir James Dyson are just a few of the highly successful people have failed on their way to success. Embrace the failure and understand this is actually a time for growth. You will gain insight from the experience that will help you push forward and succeed.

Tip #3: STOP THE NEGATIVE THINKING
If you want to be the best version of yourself, then you need to have a positive mindset. Speaking to yourself negatively is only holding you back!
Start by identifying your negative thoughts and put a stop to them. Replace them with positive affirmations! It is important speak to yourself in a positive way! Begin practicing positive affirmations daily and notice how much better you will feel.
Tip #4: FIND YOUR STRENGTHS AND BUILD ON THEM
You have many strengths so take the time and begin to identify them. You can start by asking yourself the following questions:
What do other people always tell you you’re good at?
When do you feel your best? That is, what activities are you doing?
What are my hobbies?
You can also ask some close friends, family and co-workers what they see as your strengths.
Now it's time to build on them. Begin by making sure you use your strengths daily. You may notice once you identify your strengths that you have not been using them to your fullest.
Tip #5: LET GO OF THE THINGS THAT DO NOT BUILD YOU UP
It's time to take inventory of things that are not building you up. Begin to notice things that appear to be causing you stress and unhappiness. Thoughts, behaviors, attitudes, jobs, relationships are just a few of the items to begin to take note of. If they are not building you up time to let them go!
Shed the stuff that is weighing you down. You will be so much happier when you do.
Tip #6: LET GOT OF FEAR OF SUCCESS
Yep, you read that correctly, fear of success it's a big one!
Fear of the unknown, feeling inadequate, and thoughts about what if I do succeed are a few of the thoughts and feelings that can paralyze you and keep you static.
Replace the "what if" with "when". For example instead of "what if I become manager" to "when I become manager". This is a much better mindset to have and will help eliminate fear.
Embrace the success and take it as it comes!
Tip #7: LET GO OF PERFECTIONISM
To be the best you, it's time to let go of perfectionism! No one is perfect and you will make mistakes. You will fail or have setbacks. It is okay! This is how you grow, remember tip #2.
Embrace the perfectly imperfect you!
Tip #8: STOP PEOPLE PLEASING
People pleasing will always lead you to feeling unsatisfied and unfulfilled. Let's face it you will never make everyone happy. You want to know why? Each person is responsible for their own happiness, they are in control of that not you!
Let that go and focus on you!
Tip #9: STOP BEING JUDGEMENTAL
This is a very bad habit many people have and are even unaware of. When you have a mindset that is judgemental it is hard to be the best you!
Time to stop being hard on yourself, as well as others.
Judging only leads to shame and unhappiness.
Tip #10: GET MOTIVATED

Motivation is key to your success.
Time to dream big, think positive and go after what you want! It's hard to let go of habits you have had for years, but when you make the decision to do so watch out because here comes the you that you were always meant to be!
You can do this one step at a time!