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Working on yourself means paying attention and creating space for growth in the field of nutrition, emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually. Implementing healthy habits, being more positive in life, broadening your horizons, challenging yourself and occasionally exploring the world outside your comfort zone; personal growth is infinite and so are the tools you can use. We list 10 interesting ways to work on yourself. We have tried to compile a unique list of things that in our own experience really work in your personal development. Which one from this list have you already done?

1 - Work with a life coach

Entering into a trajectory with a life coach is a very nice form of working on yourself. Especially if you do not yet know which aspect of your life you would like to work on, but you do feel that something in your life needs to change, a life coach is a perfect start. A good life coach helps you to look at things in a different way, holds up a mirror to you and challenges you. It can be very confronting and you learn a lot about yourself.


2 - Try CrossFit; a sport that challenges you mentally

Mental strength is an aspect not to be underestimated when it comes to personal growth. The degree of happiness you experience depends on the power of your mind. You want a strong mindset that won't get you down. There are several ways to train mental strength. One of the most effective ways is through sports, specifically CrossFit. CrossFit challenges you on what appears to be a physical level, but in reality your mental strength is challenged. Even for people who don't like sports, or specifically weight lifting, this is highly recommended. A nice side effect is that your body changes positively when you fanatical CrossFit, something that leads to an increased self-confidence for many.

3 - Let life surprise you during a solo surprise retreat

Jumping in at the deep end is a great way to discover new sides of yourself. And what could be nicer than doing this in a safe environment!? These cool solo retreats from Mindful Surprise are one big surprise until the very last moment. There are various themes, such as digital detox, happiness retreat, dream job retreat or alone travel retreat in which you get to work with yourself. You will receive stimulating assignments and undertake fun activities related to a theme in your life that you would like to work on. The great thing is that the solo surprise retreats are performed in the Netherlands and are on an individual basis. Completely Corona-proof! When you use the discount code HAPPLIFYRETREAT2020 you will receive a € 15 discount on your retreat booking! More about Mindful Surprise


4 - Do a spiritual course all for yourself

Learn something new, just for yourself and not for work. For example, immerse yourself in the types of meditation or yoga, or maybe mindfulness is something you wanted to explore much earlier. The great thing is that this can all be followed from home. Broaden your horizons, choose a good spiritual course and discover a new world!

5 - Challenge yourself by doing a fast

Nutrition is a part that affects you both physically and emotionally. Working on yourself by making a change in diet can be a good starting point. It is recommended to clean your intestines and liver first, so that it can properly absorb all nutrients and you get the maximum effect from your healthy new diet. There are many options for fasting and it is often smart to do it under supervision.

6 - Do something you've never done before

Working on yourself means doing things you've never done before. Set yourself a goal every week to do something you've never done before. You will gain insights that you have never had before. If you keep doing what you've always done, you'll always get the same results. It can be so simple to take a different route to work, try a new sport, join a club or try a new diet.

7 - Vipassana: Meditate 10 Hours a Day, 10 Days

It may sound extreme: meditate for 10 days, 10 hours a day, but what are 10 days in fact. Serious! Taking 10 days to look inside yourself, feel and work on your inner world is an incredibly beautiful gift that you can give yourself. During a Vipassana Retreat you will learn a meditation technique that is aimed at not letting the external world influence your inner world. The goal is not to react to outside sensations. You practice this by noticing and observing sensations on your body (itches, pain, hot/cold, etc.). It's a free (!) meditation retreat that you won't soon forget. We promise you.

8 - Go to the cinema alone for a night

One thing you can do in your current environment is to go out alone. We are so used to doing things with others that we often don't even consider going to, let's say, the cinema alone. Try it once, you soon notice that it feels very uncomfortable: you have the idea that people are looking at you, you imagine all kinds of scenarios in your head of what others think of you being alone in the cinema and in the break you don't know how quickly to get back to your seat safely. That's crazy, because the reality is that no one is watching you at all. When you do things alone more often, you get used to your own company and you notice that you can quickly feel comfortable in this setting.

9 - Every day before going to bed, write down 3 things you are grateful for

In this list we have given a variety of challenges that you do not read in many other articles. However, as last we want to write down things for which you are grateful. Although this is a tip that you have probably heard before, this is a very powerful way to develop yourself. You put yourself to work every day to look at the positive in your life. In the day that has passed.

10 - Take a good personality test to gain more insight into yourself

Especially if you want to work on yourself in the field of your career, it is nice to have insight into your personality. A good personality test shows what type of person you are and which culture suits you best. Which responsibilities and tasks suit you best and how and when you are most productive. When you have more insight into yourself, you can work more focused on yourself.

Have yourself a Mindful Surprise

We already mentioned him in this list, but in case you missed it: we can give away a discount of € 15,- to the Happlify readers who want to book a solo surprise retreat at Mindful Surprise. Do you feel that there is more to get out of life, are you willing to work on yourself, are you open to the unknown to be surprised and are you looking for more depth in your own life? The different solo surprise retreats help you on your way within a certain theme in your life that you would like to work on. The retreats are all on an individual basis and within the Netherlands . They are Corona-proof and suitable for anyone who wants to discover a new side of themselves. With the discount code HAPPLIFYRETREAT you will receive a € 15 discount. Read more about Mindful Surprise .

Author - Janneke Dijkhuis from Mindful Surprise
Janneke is a location independent entrepreneur who has left the Netherlands as a permanent base since 2012. She lived in Bali for 3 years, sailed across the Indian and Atlantic Ocean, did 2x 10-day Vipassana meditation in Thailand, drank Ayahuasca with a shaman in Colombia and founded her company Mindful Surprise with which she organizes solo retreats . Her book, Suppose Your Head Follows Your Heart, is expected to be released in 2021.

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