In today's fast-paced world, it's important to stay on top of your mind, body, and spirit. Mindfulness, awareness, and wellness are essential components of a fulfilling life, and they play a significant role in reaching the highest version of yourself. "You versus You" is the idea that the purpose of life is an inward journey, and that you can conduct your evolution. This Valentine's day, let’s discuss the necessary steps to leading a gratifying life by loving ourselves and welcoming healthy changes that bring us closer to who we want to be.

You vs. You means showing up for yourself daily

Becoming the best version of yourself is about setting achievable personal goals and focusing on everyday habits to improve and grow. The idea is to compare yourself only to your former self and celebrate your journey and progress. By focusing on your journey you can increase your motivation and drive, feel a greater sense of personal accomplishment, and have a positive impact on your mental and physical health.

Taking a firm stance and prioritizing yourself is way easier said than done. On a daily, we are bombarded with information from all angles. The result? Our focus and personal development derails. Our eyes start to wander to what others post online and we suddenly see ourselves in a downward spiral comparing our chapter to someone else’s highlight reels. We have to remind ourselves that comparison is the thief of joy.

How to start shifting your focus away from comparison

Here's how you can shift your focus away from comparing yourself to others and start going to bat against yourself:

• Set achievable personal goals: Identify what you want to achieve and break it down into smaller, manageable steps. Focus on your progress, not the end goal.

• Focus on everyday habits: Small changes in daily habits can lead to big improvements over time. Focus on making positive changes in your routine and stick with them.

• Reflect on room for growth: Take time to reflect on areas where you have room for improvement. This will help you make a plan for continuous self-improvement.

• Celebrate your journey: Recognize and celebrate your progress, no matter how small. Acknowledge how far you’ve come and set intentions for what's next.

• Keep a growth mindset: Embrace challenges and setbacks as opportunities for growth. Avoid self-criticism and negative self-talk, and maintain a positive outlook on life. Gratitude journaling is a major key in supporting this mindset shift.

Remember, competing with your former self is a journey, not a destination. Embrace the process, gain confidence, and celebrate your progress along the way!

Dealing with setbacks

Now,  just because you have a roadmap to guide you, does not mean you have a one-way ticket to success. The journey of your inner work is walked uphill and setbacks and challenges are inevitable. Recognizing that we are all human and understanding that we will fumble is vital for your journey. At the same time, a setback may seem like a step back at first, but in the grand scheme of things, it could be necessary to reach a particular goal.

Remember–everything is happening for you. Your inner wisdom knows the path toward what you want. It's essential to surrender to what is, and allow the universe to guide you to what you want. Avoid self-criticism and negative self-talk. Instead, embrace a growth mindset and focus on your progress and accomplishments.  In other words, be graceful with yourself - learn to forgive yourself when you make mistakes and keep treading forward.

Adopting the "You versus You" mindset will take some work but will be a powerful tool for your personal growth and well-being. Embrace these concepts while remembering to prioritize self-care and self-love during setbacks and you can achieve great things. Super excited about the insights and personal growth that you’ll gain from this discussion and apply to your own life journeys!