2023: Become the Highest Version of Yourself

Happy New Year! I know it's been a while. Forgive me. I hope you're taking action to reach your 2023 ambitions? Last year, I redefined what ambition means to me. Some think that to build their lives, you have to bring others down. But that’s not true; to build the tallest building, you don’t have to destroy others.

So for me, my life’s ambition is to become everything I believe God has put me on this side of eternity to be which I believe is to become the highest version of myself. I’m sharing my story, and my journey and hoping others join too.

This is my 2023 strategy, let me know if it resonates with you too.

1: Set Personal Moonshots

Formula: [identify your biggest aspirations] + [set audacious, measurable, and achievable goals] + [set a deadline] = [Personal Moonshots]

My personal moonshot is to teach 1 billion people how to make a living doing what they love in the next 10 years.

I believe setting personal moonshots is very important when it comes to becoming the highest version of yourself.

It's a simple formula:

• identify your biggest aspirations,

• set audacious, measurable, and achievable goals and

• set a deadline for them.

When you combine all three elements, you have a personal moonshot. Personal Moonshots are big and ambitious goals that push you to think differently, stretch yourself and inspire you to achieve the impossible.

2: Invest in Self-Education.

Formula: [Identify areas of interest/need] + [find relevant resources/courses] + [schedule dedicated learning time] = [Continuous Self-Education].

My father used to tell me growing up, “take your mind places your boy cannot go to”. He was referring to us learning about the world beyond what is taught in school. He believed so much in the power of education but also believed that beyond traditional education you should improve and improve your life through self-education.

Invest in self-education in 2023 as you become the highest version of yourself.

Here’s the formula:

• identify the areas of interest or need,

• find the relevant resources or courses, and

• schedule dedicated learning time.

When you combine all three elements, you have a plan for continuous self-education. Self-education is an ongoing process; the more you put into it, the more you'll get out of it.

3: Develop a Growth Mindset.

Formula: [Embrace challenges and mistakes] + [look for opportunities to learn and grow] + [believe in your ability to improve] = [Growth Mindset].

Reading Carol Dweck’s book on Mindset changed my life. A lot of mindset reframing has happened to me in the past 2 years. I highly encourage her book.

She writes that to develop a growth mindset, you must embrace challenges and mistakes as opportunities to learn and grow, look for opportunities to learn and improve, and believe in your ability to improve.

A growth mindset is characterised by a belief that one's abilities and intelligence can be developed through effort, learning and persistence.

This is the opposite of a fixed mindset, which assumes that one's abilities and intelligence are fixed and cannot be changed.

With a growth mindset, instead of fearing failure, you see it as an opportunity to learn and grow. You embrace challenges and welcome feedback, as it provides an opportunity to improve. You view setbacks and mistakes as opportunities to learn and actively seek new information and experiences to help you grow.

To adopt a growth mindset:

• start by recognising your fixed mindset thoughts and work on replacing them with growth mindset thoughts.

• challenge yourself to take risks and step out of your comfort zone.

• seek feedback and constructive criticism from others, and actively look for ways to learn and grow.

Remember, it's not about being perfect, it's about constantly striving to improve and reach your potential.

4: Build Your Personal Board of Directors

No man is an island, you’ll need a support system of mentors, friends, coaches and the like to reach your highest self. It would help if you created your Personal Board of Directors.

Formula: [Identify potential advisors] + [reach out and ask for help] + [scheduled check-ins] = [Supportive Community].

Identify potential advisors, such as mentors, experts, or successful people in your field. Some people are more successful in my fields of interest, and I’ve made myself accountable to them. I also have a coach that checks in on me and pushes me.

Your board of directors is your personal team that will support and inspire you in your journey.

5: Be Consistent and Persistent.

Formula: [Take small steps] + [celebrate small wins] + [keep moving forward] = [Consistent and Persistent Progress].

Change takes time, and you must be consistent and persistent in your efforts to become the highest version of yourself. Take small steps towards your goals, celebrate small wins, and keep moving forward. Remember, setbacks are inevitable, but they should not be the end. Instead, use them as an opportunity to learn and grow and keep working towards your goal.

By developing a growth mindset, you are training yourself to be open to new ideas and experiences and more adaptable and resilient in facing challenges. This mindset is crucial for personal growth and development, allowing you to learn, grow and improve continuously.

Additionally, you are setting yourself up for long-term success by being consistent and persistent in your efforts to achieve your goals and developing a support system with your personal board of directors.

In conclusion, please remember, progress is a journey, not a destination, and it's important to enjoy the process and have fun while working towards your personal moonshots.

I believe in you. Let's make 2023 our best year yet!

Follow me on Twitter/@jessedanyusufco