Hey you! Yes, you. Give yourself a pat on the back. You’ve come so far. Sure, you’ve accumulated a few scars, made a few bad decisions, but you’re here to tell the tale. And might we compliment you on your oratorical prowess, cause you’re telling it beautifully? 

Life is, of course, about the journey and the lessons learned along the way, and the power to improve your life and change for the better never stops. It’s an ongoing, lifelong process, this, and we’re walking this path together. Here are 7 IDEAL steps to greater personal growth and development.

KNOW YOURSELF

Running through the six with my….oh, forget it.

Getting to know yourself is one of the most important and challenging aspects of self-development. Some people assume self-knowledge is innate. Because, you should know yourself better than anyone, right? Let’s just put it this way; introspection isn’t exactly everyone’s strong point. You might know your characteristics, but you must also understand where your behaviours come from, why you like or dislike certain things, and what motivates that behaviour in order to really know who you are. 

You won’t know what you need to change or how to fix what’s broken if you don’t understand what you’re dealing with in the first place. Even if there’s no fix to a certain issue, being aware of yourself can still help you be more mindful and live a happier life. 

PRACTICE SELF-LOVE

Speaking of being mindful; it’s crucial to contentment and growth to accept and love yourself just the way you are, flaws and all. It’s normal to look up to people you admire and respect, but that shouldn’t dictate your life or the relationship you have with yourself. Constantly comparing yourself to others and putting yourself down when you don’t meet certain social standards is a recipe for disaster. 

Plough your own furrow; you don’t have to think, look or act like anyone else except yourself. All your characteristics, the good and the bad, are what make you truly unique and you should value this uniqueness – exploit it, even – instead of trying to blend in. As Mae West once so beautifully put; ‘it’s better to be looked over than overlooked’. 

KEEP LEARNING

Self-development continues for as long as we live. Nope, education certainly doesn’t stop when you finish academia, and as such, you should take any and everything opportunity to learn new things and broaden your horizons as your life progresses. 

If you’ve always wanted to learn a foreign language or play guitar, or if you’ve always had a passion for science and you would like to learn chemistry, it’s never too late to develop a new skill or focus on your talents. Instead of neglecting your natural interests, try to cultivate them, because gaining new knowledge and skills will help you boost your confidence and grow as an individual.

EAT HEALTHILY

A healthy body leads to a healthy mind and as such, to a more fulfilling life, too. It’s clear that if you want to focus on personal development, you shouldn’t neglect your biological requirements. You’ve probably noticed that when you pay attention to what you eat and prioritise healthy foods, your mood improves and your overall sense of wellbeing is enhanced.  

You can make that feeling linger for longer if you decide to be more mindful about what you put on your plate. We’re all well aware of every doctor’s recommendations to avoid sugar, alcohol and processed food, eat more fruits and vegetables, nutrient-rich foods and the rest. Well, now’s the right time to follow this advice and start eating healthier to nurture both body and soul.

STAY ACTIVE

It’s been scientifically proven, time and time again, that exercise increases the production and release of serotonin and endorphins in the brain and body, which can help relieve depression and promote positive feelings. Don’t worry; you don’t have to set up camp in the gym to be in good physical shape. Indeed, it’s enough to create a decent workout routine and stick to it. Even this sense of accomplishment, of setting goals and striving for them, can do wonders for your wellbeing too.

SET CLEAR GOALS

Did someone mention goals? Nope, not the squad ones, though socialising is great for you, too. But what we’re trying to say is that growth always starts with concise, clear planning. What, you thought this thing happened at random? You don’t necessarily have to make a list with each and every step laid out to achieve a certain goal, but it is crucial to have something tangible to focus on in the future.

Sometimes the hardest part of all is succinctly expressing your needs and desires. But if you are bold enough to dream big and envision your goals with clarity, you’ll find, somewhere, the resources to accomplish them.

LEAVE BAD HABITS IN THE PAST

Quitting a bad habit is easier said than done and we’re all guilty of falling into the hands of unhealthy indiscretion from time to time. Sometimes, development and growth are hindered because you become a prisoner of your own bad habits and can’t break the cycle. But as we said before, it’s all part of the process. After all, you learn much more from dusting yourself off and getting back up again than you do from being on cruise control.

Hey, we’re not saying that life should be totally centred around growth, productivity and catering to capitalism. Instead, try these; our tips on how to achieve a better work-life balance.

…IDEAL for a side hustle, earning some extra pocket money, or even turning into a full time job.

What started as a little corner of the internet for arts and craft nerds to hang out and show off their wares, has now turned into now a multi-million dollar company. Apart from being a perfect place to score vintage items, Etsy has emerged as a powerful launchpad for startups, allowing people to quit their day jobs and make a living from their online stores. And that’s the dream, right?

Do you have a knack for crafts? Are you interested in making unique jewellery? Are you particularly skilled with a crochet hook? Do you have an eye for vintage fashion? Do you love all these semi rhetorical questions? Anyway, you, yes YOU, can monetise this talent by setting up a business on Etsy. Here’s how; our 7 ideas for starting a new Etsy business, IDEAL for a side hustle, earning some extra pocket money, or even turning into a full time job.

JEWELLERY

Did you know that Hollywood A-listers Mila Kunis and Aston Kutcher bought their wedding bands from Etsy? Yep, that’s right, and that fact alone should be enough to establish the potential of selling jewellery on Etsy. Yep, you can put your jewellery-making skills to good use and start a profitable business, with both delicate and funky jewellery being in high demand.

CLOTHING

Speaking of dresses; people are always on the hunt for something unique to wear and they’re shifting their focus from designer stores to Etsy outlets with ever increasing enthusiasm. 

Whether you’re an experienced dressmaker or a champion thrifter, fashion could and can be your future. It all starts small and manageable, by sourcing cheap fabrics and textiles, and creating custom pieces for customers. Shops like PT Winchester are essential in the early stages of operation, as you’ll need a one-stop solution for an extensive range of textile components.

On the other hand, if you’ve mastered the skill of thrifting, you should start by building a clothing inventory taking inspiration for Nextflix’s Girlboss. The world (wide web) is your oyster.

WEDDING ITEMS

The wedding industry continues to thrive, with the big day now, on average, costing couples nearly £30 grand. Listen, people are always going to be getting hitched; even in times of hardship or misfortune, love endures after all.

This is your opportunity to make the most of your calligraphy and lettering skills. Hand-written wedding invitations and place cards are a huge trend that can kick start a successful venture. Also, apart from these, wedding dresses, accessories, bridesmaid dresses, wedding decor etc. also have established markets with room for one more.

HANDMADE ITEMS

The main focus of Etsy still revolves around the selling of handmade products and trinkets. From personalised necklaces to hand-carved boxes, every handmade item has a place on Etsy. The more unique your product, the better the salability it presents, so go niche or go home, we think.

ART

Any home or office is incomplete (or at least, mighty barren feeling) without art. Turn your passion into a living by selling your art on Etsy, painting bespoke pieces and making some coin from your skills. Remember, art includes everything from digital wall prints to oil paintings to glass art, so think outside the box and away from the easel here. 

VINTAGE ITEMS

One person’s trash is another’s treasure, as they say, and Etsy well and truly puts this into practice. Being one of the most reliable websites for vintage goodies, you can set up a profitable vintage store on Etsy and have some fascinating, fulfilling times in antiques markets and car boot sales accumulating your inventory. 

JOURNALS AND NOTEBOOKS

Journaling has taken the world by storm. From daily planners to bullet journals, writing things down, on paper and by hand, has never been more in demand, perhaps as a way of wrestling back a little control from the sinister hands of our digital overlords. If you have an affinity for it, you can set up a store offering customised journals and notebooks.

Looking for other ways to earn a little spending money? Check out our tips on 5 IDEAL ways to make some extra money over here.

The widely regarded bleakest month of the year, January, is almost over. That said, if you’re like the majority of Brits, your carefully curated New Year’s resolutions ended long ago. Yep, every year with predictable regularity, it’s reported that January 12th is the date on which your pledges are most likely to be broken. But regardless of whether your month has been dry or wet, protein or plant based, lively or languid, there are still things you can do to keep control of your physical and mental health as the year really cranks into gear.

Today we’re thinking about those resolutions you – no, we all – made to get fitter. The most common reason for letting that one slide usually centres around the old work/life balance, and not having enough time. But just because you’re stuck in the office doesn’t mean you have to let your fitness suffer. We’ve teamed up with Feel Good Contacts and Personal Trainer, Badrul Islam, to bring you these; our 7 IDEAL tips for sticking to your New Year’s fitness resolutions when you’re stuck in the office. 

BUDDY UP

Once you feel those fitness pledges slipping, and the urge to clock out fast at 5pm and into the arms of Netflix growing stronger, find a co-worker with similar New Year health goals so that you can support each other. Positive peer pressure is one hell of a motivator. Indeed, it’s easier to stick with your plan if a buddy is going through the same resolution and helps you to adhere to your schedule and nutritional goals. 

Alternatively, suggest a fitness initiative to your management team. This would be a great way to get everyone involved and lessen any embarrassment of exercising at work. To things palatable to your seniors, you can sell them the old ‘productivity benefits’ line, to grease their capitalist cogs; they might even fund the drive for office fitness.

COMMUTE CONSCIOUS

Start your day by walking or cycling to work. If this is simply unrealistic due to time constraints and other commitments, then get off the bus or train a stop or two early and walk the rest of the way. If you have shower facilities at work and want to push yourself even harder, then why not jog to work? You could increase the stops which you alight at incrementally as you get fitter, accordingly. If you don’t have shower facilities at work, demand them. Failing that, at least try to jog part of the way home. 

Not wishing to get all ‘manual handling’ on your ass – actually, your back – but you should bear in mind how you carry your bag on your daily commute. Try to spread the load equally between both sides of your body by wearing a two-strapped backpack which will allow you to maintain a neutral spine and prevent chronic gait imbalances. You could also make your walk to work even more challenging by adding extra weight to your bag so that you burn more calories.

If you’re driving, then park further away.  Once you arrive at the office block, get your blood pumping by using the stairs instead of the lift. Every little helps here, it really does. 

PACKED LUNCH

No more Meal Deals which leave you sluggish for the afternoon, oh no. Instead, bring your own healthy lunch into work. Meal planning and next day lunch prep is a great way to control your consumption and saves you money, too, as you won’t be resorting to the quickest, most expensive, and often least healthy option when you’re in a rush.

Chicken, turkey and egg-based lunches are packed with protein and will provide you with the essential building blocks for calorie burning muscles. Fish like tuna and mackerel are cost effective sources of protein that will also increase your energy and the omega-3 will help you to maintain a sharp mind and improve your eyesight.  

Remember to supplement your protein with vegetables; not only are they much cheaper than meat, but they’re full of vitamins, minerals and guilt-free calories, all perfect for chopping up into snack-size pieces to keep you going throughout the day. Fruit, protein shakes, salads and natural fibre bars are also great snacks.

KEEP WATERED

Water; is there anything it can’t do? It’s one of the easiest ways to manage body weight and reduce your food consumption. To ensure that you’re consuming a sufficient amount of water, keep 2 bottles of the good stuff (1.5 – 2 litres) handy at all times, on your desk, full and ready for quaffing. This will leave you with no excuse for not drinking enough.

When full, your water bottles will also be a perfect substitute for dumbbells or weights; talk about killing two birds with one stone! Actually, don’t; you’ll annoy your colleagues with your talking or killing. And if you do need to drink something warm, then try non sugary herbal drinks, black coffee or even soup. 

TURN DAILY TASKS INTO EXERCISE

Workout smarter, not harder, as they don’t say but should. Turn daily tasks into exercises. Instead of emailing or calling your colleague across the room, walk over to their desk for a face to face conversation. If you’re having a meeting, then suggest a standing meeting instead of that standard slouching one with biscuits. As well as getting you out of your chair, research shows that these types of meetings are a good way of increasing efficiency, making sure that the meeting doesn’t stretch to an hour when it can be done in half the time.  

When you’re back at your desk, if it’s possible, stand up and do your work. Standing uses more muscles and burns more calories than sitting and it’s good for your back and posture. If you can’t stand and work, then at the very least stand up every 30 minutes to stretch your chest and extend your spine to reverse the hunched position of sitting. 

We’re really on a roll here; use a towel or find an office broomstick to use for stretching. Holding the towel or broomstick with straight arms at either end, rotate back and forth over your head slowly. Doing this can help to open up your chest muscles and mobilise your back muscles. Stretching is vital for maintaining good posture, especially when working at a desk for several hours a day. It will also help to reduce back and neck pain significantly. If you’re feeling particularly energetic, then try some deskercise.  

LUNCH BREAK WALKS

If you can manage to brave the cold weather, then go for a walk in your break. Use that longer lunch break for a workout; go to your local park for a power walk or run. Should you be new to the running game, then download the NHS’s Couch to 5K app, as it’s perfectly designed to ease you in gently. For a variety of exercises, look out for the communal gym equipment that’s now installed in many parks up and down the country.  Failing that, you’ll often find monkey bars in the children’s playground where you can work on your pull-ups. Obviously, don’t hog them if there are kids playing who want a turn.

KEEP THAT MOTIVATION BURNING

Nimesh Shah, Marketing Director at Feel Good Contacts commented: “At Feel Good Contacts we know that if we keep ourselves healthy, we will be happier, have more energy, less sick days and are more productive.  But at this time of year it can be difficult to motivate staff. So we have tried to implement simple things which do make a difference. For instance, we take it in turns to go to the local coffee shop. It’s a quick and easy way to get out of the office for some fresh air and a stretch”. 

”Also, sometimes, when I have 1-1 meetings, I suggest we do this whilst walking, I find this encourages creativity and free-flowing conversation plus the added benefit of some physical activity. All staff are encouraged to wear smart but comfortable clothes and most employees come to work in a pair of trainers which comes in handy for the lunchtime power walk.”

Badrul Islam, Personal Trainer concludes: “Your health is more important than any amount of pay.  So be mindful of the length of time you’re sitting. Doing so can mean a long and healthy career for years to come. In addition, prioritising a healthy sleep pattern over social activity, will increase your energy, speed up recovery and boost your productivity.”