The Art of Becoming: The Journey to Become the Best Version of You
What does it truly mean to become the best version of yourself? It’s not about chasing perfection or following someone else’s blueprint. It’s about embracing growth—day by day, choice by choice—and aligning your life with who you really are deep down. It’s a quiet, powerful transformation that happens when you choose progress over pressure, and purpose over perfection.
Here’s how you can begin that journey—starting today.
Get to Know Yourself and Find Your Purpose
Before you grow, you need to understand who you are.
Spend time in reflection. Journal your thoughts. Ask yourself real questions:
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What brings me joy?
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What drains my energy?
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What values guide my decisions?
Next, identify your purpose in life. Having a purpose is extremely important, not because it sounds fancy but because it will lead you to a more fulfilling life. We’re not going to live forever, so why not do the things that you want before our last breath?
“The two most important days in your life are the day you are born and the day you find out why.”
– Mark Twain
Set Goals That Actually Matter to You
After you find your pupose, break down those visions into smaller goals.
The best goals are rooted in your values. Want more creativity? More freedom? More peace? Make that your compass. You can use the SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) framework to ensure meaningful goals.
Track your progress. If you find it hard to stick to your goals, you can ask one of your trusted friend to be your accountable buddy and have a regular checkpoint together to ensure you are on track to achieve your goal.
Adjust when needed. Sometimes we play tough love to ourself and set way too challenging goals to be fulfilled. You can always start with baby steps, easier goal and level up as you achieve those easier ones. Growth isn’t linear—it’s a dance.
This book, so-called “Purpose” by Lisa Messenger — is a good guide for anyone seeking clarity, meaning, and the courage to live intentionally. Lisa isn’t just another author; she’s a trailblazer who built a global movement with The Collective Hub, and in her book, she shares practical steps and raw insights from her own journey.
Whether you’re a creative, a dreamer, a corporate leader, or someone simply yearning for more, this book will speak directly to your soul. It’s filled with the kind of guidance that feels like a coffee chat with a wise mentor who’s been where you are — and made it through.
*This post contain affiliate links. If you book through them, I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. I only recommend what I love and have used myself!
Embrace Feedback and Radical Self-Awareness
Real growth lives in honest feedback. You can seek out mentors, trusted friends, and even your inner critic—then listen with curiosity, not ego. Awareness isn’t weakness; it’s your greatest strength.
However, it is worth mentioning that you should also filter the feedback that you receive. Constructive feedback can fuel your growth—but only when it comes from someone who genuinely wants to see you thrive, not shrink. There’s a big difference between critique and criticism. As the saying goes “Don’t take criticism from someone you wouldn’t take advice from.” Trust those who show up for you, not just speak up at you. Always consider the intention behind the words before you let them take up space in your heart.
Choose a Growth Mindset, Every Time
We may not know everything, but a growth mindset says: “I can learn.” In my late 20s, there was a time that I find it hard to learn something new without listening to my inner critic that says “How come you don’t know this thing by now?” In fact, these faulty thoughts that I invented myself caught me for some time until I make peace with myself and humbly accept that it’s okay to not know things and learn it from scratch.
We’re taught to fear failure—as if getting it wrong somehow makes us less worthy. But the truth is, failure is not the end. It’s information. It shows us where to go next, what matters most, and who we really are when things fall apart. If we adopt a growth mindset, we start to see failure not as a dead end but as a detour toward something better. It’s not about never stumbling; it’s about how we choose to get up, dust ourselves off, and keep moving with greater understanding. That’s where real growth happens. Your potential is elastic—stretch it.
This book by Elizabeth Day is reassuring, wise, and deeply human guide we all need. She is also running a podcast called How to Fail and interview so many inspiring people that have experienced failure and grow from it. Day offers a fresh philosophy that helps us reframe failure—not as something to avoid, but as a stepping stone to self-understanding, resilience, and real growth.
💡 With 7 powerful failure principles, this pocket-sized book is like having a kind, no-nonsense friend who reminds you that you’re doing better than you think.
*This post contain affiliate links. If you book through them, I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you. I only recommend what I love and have used myself!
Let Go of What Holds You Back
You can’t carry everything and still move forward. Again, you should look into yourself to realize what are the things that no longer servce you.
Here are 10 powerful journal prompts to to help you explore what may be holding you back:
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What’s one goal I keep postponing? Why haven’t I taken action yet?
(Be honest—fear, doubt, perfectionism?) -
What fear shows up the most when I think about stepping out of my comfort zone?
(Is it fear of failure, rejection, judgment, or success?) -
Are there beliefs I carry about myself that limit me? Where did they come from?
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What habits or routines in my life drain my energy instead of fueling it?
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What kind of people do I surround myself with? Do they support or sabotage my growth?
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In what situations do I feel the need to play small or hide my true self? Why?
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What stories do I keep telling myself that no longer serve me?
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When was the last time I said “no” to something that didn’t align with my values—or did I say yes out of guilt or fear?
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What do I avoid doing even though I know it would help me grow?
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If I could remove one barrier (real or imagined), what would I do tomorrow that I’m not doing today?
Just like how your baby clothes no longer fits you when you grow older, you’re allowed to outgrow what no longer fits.
Give Back to Grow Deeper
If there’s a quote that has stick with me the longest, it will be this “Inspire others and be inspired”. Growth isn’t just about you. It’s about becoming someone who lifts others, too. It feels good to give back to the community. As a social being, the action of giving deepen our relationship, making us feels connected. In addition, helping others often reminds you that you matter. That your life, no matter how messy or imperfect, has meaning. Thus, giving reinforces a positive self-image—it says: “I have something worth sharing.”
Whether it’s sharing wisdom, showing kindness, or simply listening—when you give from a place of purpose, you become more grounded, more fulfilled, more you.
Becoming the best version of yourself isn’t a one-time achievement—it’s a lifelong unfolding. It’s about choosing growth over comfort, purpose over pressure, and authenticity over approval. The journey is deeply personal, yet universally human. Now, I’d love to hear from you: What does becoming your best self look like right now, in this season of your life? Whether you’re just starting or deep in the process, share your thoughts in the comments below—your words might be the encouragement someone else needs today. 🌱✨