When there’s work and family and bills and more, it’s easy to think of self-improvement and personal development as something you’ll have time for one day. The same goes for improving your life overall.

But improving your life – or yourself – doesn’t have to be about making one big gesture. Instead, it typically comes down to the small things you do every day that can add up to larger growth in the long run. These small habits and practices may help you increase your confidence, reduce your stress, build deeper relationships, stabilise your work-life balance, become a healthier person (mentally, emotionally, or physically), and be happier.

We’ve come up with a list of activities that can help you become a better “you”. Give them a try!

Create an inspiring space

Your personal space sets the tone for your mindset. You don’t have to redo your entire home – just pick a room that you can completely focus on, and make it special. The first step is to tidy up any clutter and give it a good clean. Next up, add features that make you smile, like a piece of art or a lush plant. You want this space to invoke a good vibe. This is your castle, so make yourself feel like the king/queen it deserves.

Start the day right

The way you take on the day influences the rest of it, so even if you’re not a morning person, taking back your morning allows you to move through the motions with a healthy approach. Avoid reaching for your phone and instead enjoy a nice stretch. As you sip your coffee, ponder what you are grateful for and plan out your day. Making small changes and keeping to the routine will allow you to stay focused and motivated.

Firm up your goals

How can you work toward achieving what you want if you haven’t set your intentions yet? You can’t start the game when you don’t know precisely what you are working toward. Studies show that people who write down their goals, commit to them, and remain accountable (try telling your friends or creating a calendar with mini milestones to achieve) are far more likely to be successful. Once you’ve established your goals, that’s the equivalent of pressing play.

Incentivise your journey

Allowing yourself to collect little rewards along the way is great for staying motivated. When you set goals for yourself, it’s not just about reaching the final objective. It’s also about celebrating the smaller achievements as you journey along the path. Treat yourself to a little something as a way of thanking yourself and acknowledging each step.

Play to your strengths

Is there a sport or activity that you know you are good at? Make more time for that activity, even if you have to schedule it in your calendar. Not only will doing so boost your confidence, but you might also notice areas for improvement and implement working on them. This says to the universe, “Bring it on.”

Remain positive

You’re bound to have those days when nothing goes right. Don’t get down on yourself if things aren’t going exactly your way. Try to see the positive and look for the lesson in the hurdle. Research shows that people who practice optimism put more effort into achieving their goals, compared to people who tend to be pessimistic.

Do a bunch of little productive tasks

We challenge you to set aside 30 minutes and do all those tiny tasks you’ve been meaning to do, but keep putting off, all at once. First, this prevents you from multitasking later on when emails are rushing in while you’re trying to do your work. Second, it forces you to tackle those things that make you cringe – things that, once they’re done, will make your life a heck of a lot easier.

Note your achievements

Taking the time to reflect on what you’ve done well each week can help you focus on the positive. And like the feedback file, returning to your past achievements week after week can be a confidence booster – and help you out when it comes time to brag about yourself.