How to Support and Unlock Your True Potential

I’m a big fan of affirmations and have used them frequently for many years. I genuinely believe they have the power to change the way you think and, thus, the way you act. They can be a gateway to becoming the person you want to be—your “best self.” This could mean adding good habits to your life and getting rid of bad ones. Just like finding hidden gems through a Slotsgem adventure, affirmations can help uncover the best version of yourself, step by step.

Who Is Your Finest Self?

I’ve recently introduced a new affirmation into my daily morning routine, as follows:

“I support my best self every day.”

But then, one morning, as I habitually wrote the words, I thought, “But what does that actually mean to me?”

I decided to take this question and let my thoughts spill onto the page. Below are some of those raw thoughts, along with some ideas that I’ve expanded upon since. I hope you find it interesting and useful.

My First Thoughts

It means I try as hard as I can every day to live up to or help my future self—that version of me I’m trying to be. She’s the person who has achieved the goals I’ve set and is living the life I dreamed of. But I know it won’t happen unless I make a daily contribution now to get the wheels moving in that direction.

What are some specifics? It means not wasting energy on things that don’t matter or cannot be controlled. It’s about taking actions today that help my future self and the life I want. I know what helps me be my best self. But daily demands, distractions, and temptations can make it easy to forget. It’s easy to procrastinate or settle for being average. Supporting my best self goes beyond finishing tasks. It’s about acting in ways that match my goals and values. Each day should be a building block for the future, not something I survive. Making small, meaningful progress each day helps me grow into the person I want to be.

Living This Way Is Challenging

It feels like a big ask to live this way, and I guess maybe that’s the point.

• It’s wanting and then eating the cake, even though I will regret it. • It’s about watching more Star Trek or The Sewing Bee instead of reading a book or cleaning out a cupboard. • It’s as simple as sitting when I could be walking.

So, what can you do to support and help yourself to become your best self?

Here’s a straightforward 3-step approach to aligning yourself with your best self.

A Simple Method to Align With Your Finest Self

1.  Have A Daily Reminder

Remind yourself of your goals daily because distractions can pull you off track. Writing them down daily (or at least weekly) helps keep them front and center. This simple habit will spark new ideas. It will also show you the next steps and motivate you to achieve them.

2.  Be An Action Taker To Move Forward

You’ll naturally think of the following steps when you write down your goals. Don’t capture these ideas—act on them! Too often, great ideas are forgotten when delayed. Rank quick action to keep moving forward and build momentum.

3.  Priming To Avoid Slipping Back

Your priming habit should help you keep the progress you’ve made. Setting up good routines can help you nudge yourself to do the right thing.

 This makes it less likely that you’ll feel like you’re not making progress. Prepare to experiment with this step; you might need to iterate to find your best routines.

Here are some examples of my goals:

Goal: Travel to London, Seville, Durham, France, Winchester & Bruges.

Priming: 1. Set aside enough time (or annual leave) for each trip. 2. Book well in advance, thereby committing to the trip. 3. Deal with any travel anxiety (I’m not a fan of flying) so as not to talk yourself out of going!

Goal: To declutter at home, including clothes, nick-nacks, paper piles, and electronic storage.

Priming: 1. Have a system for dealing with incoming mail to avoid more piles developing. 2. When sorting incoming mail, note any actions needed. Then, add them to my to-do list right away. 3. For every new item I buy, I have a personal rule to declutter at least one old item.

Conclusion

To become your best self, remember your goals every day. Take consistent action and use systems to stay on track. You can build a future aligned with your dreams with small, steady steps. Stay patient, stay focused, and trust the process.