3 Ways to Work on Yourself

Don't get so bogged down in the present that you forget to use it for the future.

In high school and college, everyone was always encouraging you to build yourself, to work on establishing health habits to grow your character or skills. But when you're in that first job, it can be easy to get stagnant, just focusing on the next day or project at work.

Each of us needs to constantly be working on developing ourselves in different ways. Setting goals and working toward achieving them is a key part of being a growing human. With that said, here are three simple ways to develop yourself in the next couple months.

1. Read a book.

2. Listen to a podcast.

3. Work out.

I know, I know, everyone tells you to read books. Maybe you love reading, maybe you hate it. But either way, people who read are able to think more critically, be more knowledgeable and educated, as well as being more creative. Start with a genre you enjoy reading - fantasy, non-fiction, self-help, biographies, historical fiction, poetry. Choose a book and commit to reading 15 minutes of it a day to finish in a month.

You might think listening to a podcast is just an extension of reading, and sometimes it is a substitute for reading. But, the world of podcasts is so much more than that! There are true crime podcasts, news podcasts, commentaries, history, interviews and more. Podcasts are easy to listen to on your commute, while you're walking to lunch or making your morning coffee. Some of my favorite podcasts include "The Daily", a news podcast from the New York Times, and "Flights and Feelings", a podcast from Joseph Solomon, a poet and music writer.

You might think working out is just a goal for New Year's or the summer, but working out builds character year around. You don't need to have a goal to lose 40 pounds in order to get started, just get moving. Go for a jog while you listen to your podcast. Sign up for a group Zumba or spin class at the local gym. Working out teaches me patience and hard work in the process, and it makes me feel better.

These are three simple ways you can start working on yourself, and you won't regret it.

/ written by Rachel Madden