Self improvement is a never-ending journey, because as individuals, we are constantly evolving, facing new challenges, and encountering opportunities for learning and change. Each achievement and setback in our life serves as a stepping stone for further growth, leading to lifelong learning and personal development. 

Following that line of thought, we can conclude that there are few singular ideas or distinct experiences that will have an instant “turning point” effect on our lives, and that these will differ widely from one individual to the other depending on their personal story. 

However, this does not mean that you have hit a wall. 

There are profound concepts in the world out there that have the power to truly change your life, albeit gradually, one day at a time. These ideas are not quick fixes or crafty life hacks. Instead, they are like seeds that you sow in the garden of your mind and water regularly, that evolve and inspire positive change for years to come. They have the power to alter perspectives, behaviors, and life paths. These ideas are the true harbingers of a personal revolution. And this series of blog articles is going to be your key to that desired self transformation.

Given below is Part 1 of a list of ideas, mindset shifts, and practices that I gleaned over years of being on the self improvement journey. Overtime, these have become a way of life for me. I hope this concise list helps you with your life journey. Happy reading!

Ad Meliora

"Ad Meliora" is a simple Latin phrase that translates to "towards better things" or "for the pursuit of better things".

Ad Meliora is our reminder that the journey of personal development has no final destination to reach, albeit it is a lifelong process. This concept encourages individuals to continuously seek opportunities for growth and find happiness in the here and now, as there is no such “perfect tomorrow” to strive for. Instead, we should focus on embracing change, learning from experiences, and having an optimistic attitude to move forward with purpose, aiming for a brighter and more fulfilling future. 

Amor Fati

“Amor Fati” is a Latin phrase which stands for “love of fate”. It succinctly portrays the Stoic mindset of making the best out of every moment — no matter how challenging. To accept the fact that all events occur for a reason, and while the event itself might not be positive, what we take away from it should always be good. 

The first step to implementing this practice is to distinguish what is within our control (internal) from what we cannot control (external). The next step is to direct our efforts and emotions where they can actually influence things, that is, the internals. 

Which is to say, when bad things happen to you, you don’t blame the world, you don't blame God, you don't blame yourself or your supposed bad luck. Instead, you embrace all of it. You honor your emotions by not suppressing them, but then you ask yourself — What might we learn from this unchosen experience? How can we mold things to our advantage? How can I not only be okay with this, but also become better because of this?

And that is the true power of Amor Fati.

Impermanence

The impermanence of all existing things is a fundamental aspect of life that shapes the way we perceive and experience the world. From quarks at subatomic level, to the grass, the trees, the sky, the earth, the sun and the moon, even galaxies — all things are subject to the passage of time. Realizing this helps us put our own small life into perspective. A lost job? A declining grade? A surge of overwhelming good luck? An unexpected good friend? A bad day at work? Everything is insignificant before the power of time.

While transience can be seen as a sobering reminder of life's fragility, it also brings a sense of beauty and meaning to our experiences. It instills us with humility before the grand scheme of things, and teaches us to appreciate the present moment, to let go of attachments, and to embrace the ever-changing nature of life.  

Acknowledging this might give rise to feelings of emptiness, insignificance, and lack of security. However, this is where the previously discussed concepts of Amor Fati and Ad Meliora come in — if change is inevitable, then we might as well make the best of it. This is how these profound philosophical concepts enrich our understanding of life.

Interesting Failures

Society views failure as a discouraging or negative experience, and it teaches school-going children to do the same. With time, these children grow up into adults whose sense of self-worth, self-esteem, and self-confidence are all tied to their failures and successes. A world that could have been full of excitement and experimentation gets divided into the black and white binaries of “failure” and “success”. However, this is not ideal.

Children and adults alike should be taught that viewing our failures with interest helps us adopt a mindset that sees failure as an opportunity for learning and growth. By approaching failure with curiosity and interest, we can analyze what went wrong, identify areas for improvement, and make adjustments for future endeavors. This perspective allows us to reframe failure as a necessary and natural part of the learning process, rather than as a reflection of our abilities or worth. 

Ultimately, viewing our failures with interest can help us develop resilience, adaptability, and a growth mindset that serves us well in all areas of life. So the next time you fail at something, step back and think. There’s more to failures than meets the eye. 

Premeditatio Malorum

A famous quote by Seneca goes as follows — “If you would not have a man flinch when the crisis comes, train him before it comes.” This sums up the essence of Premeditatio Malorum, a Latin phrase that directly translates to “premeditation of evils”. It is a Stoic philosophical practice of considering potential misfortunes in advance in order to mentally prepare oneself to face them with composure.  

Life is not always fair. The best people are sometimes afflicted with undeserving misfortunes. Which is why the wise ones prepare for them in advance, even if their present conditions are comfortable. Premeditatio Malorum is preparedness, not pessimism. It also leads to enduring self-confidence and resilience, which makes it a great gem of a concept to add to your collection on your personal development journey.

However, a thing to note with Premeditatio Malorum is that it is not possible to consider every single technical or logical obstacle beforehand. This is where emotional fortitude comes in. Individuals with stronger emotional resilience stay calm and practical in the face of uncertainty. They keep their cool, and take logical decisions for the improvement of the situation. By preparing for adversity in this way, one can reduce fear and anxiety and cultivate a more peaceful state of mind.

Thus, here ends the first part of this series. Stay tuned for Part 2 of this list of transformative ideas that can change your mind.