A Different Approach to Improvement

How do you think about improvement? Whether personal or professional, your perspective on improvement matters. Do you set out on a journey of improvement to fix what is broken or less than ideal? We live in a world that constantly encourages us to fix something. There’s a booming self-help industry based on this premise, and there are hundreds (maybe thousands) of consultants and self-appointed experts ready to fix what they’ve deemed broken. Whether self-improvement or school improvement, coming from a place of deficit feels heavy. What if we flipped the narrative? What if we approached our growth not as a path to patch up our brokenness, but rather as an act of love and appreciation?

When we believe we need to fix ourselves or our schools, we often start from a place of criticism or shame, feeling like we’re not enough. The truth is, you’re not broken. You’re school is not broken. You’re doing the best you can in a crazy, messy world. Instead, when you approach improvement from a place of love and care, you become focused on nurturing potential, not eliminating flaws. It becomes a journey focused on the strengths and goodness already present, and then building from there. You are worthy of growth and fulfillment, and this shift in perspective feels lighter and more hopeful. Improvement becomes energizing rather than draining.

Start with a Vision

What is the best version of you? Or, in the case of school improvement, what is the best version of your school? Think about an ideal day in your life or in your school. What does it feel like? My friend, Matt, claims that everything is essentially a math problem, and this is no exception. What do you need to add or subtract to move closer to this version of you? Do you need to add some new skills or habits? Maybe you need to add back some things that used to bring you joy. Remember, you can’t keep adding without subtracting. You have to make room for something new.  What do you need to subtract? Perhaps there are patterns or habits that are hindering you. When you subtract something, you’ll need to put something else in it’s place. When you take away an old behavior or habit, replace it with a behavior or habit more closely aligned with your vision.

Set Compassionate Goals

With this perspective, improvement can feel attainable, rather than overwhelming. Try setting realistic goals, developed with self-compassion. Make sure the goals align with your vision and values. In other words, make sure the goals really matter to you, and don’t pursue goals just because you think you should. Take your current capacity into account, and decide how to move at a realistic pace toward your goals. Improvement is a brisk walk (maybe even a jog), not a sprint. Growth is a process, not an event. On the path toward your goals, recognize your effort, and celebrate small wins. Focus on internal fulfillment in the journey over external results.

Correct with Kindness

When you veer off the path (and you will), how will you get back on? It’s helpful to monitor your progress with consistency so you can catch any slips quickly. You don’t need to punish or shame yourself, just take the next helpful step and get back on track. Think ahead about what adjustments you can make when unexpected challenges arise. What’s your plan B, C, and D? Difficult times are the most important times to take good care of yourself and give yourself some grace.

Final Thoughts

Set out on an improvement journey from a place of self-love, and give yourself grace when trying to improve. Growth is messy, and real change doesn’t happen overnight. There will be moments when you stumble, fall short, or feel like you’re not making progress fast enough. But beating yourself up won’t make you better; it will only drain your energy and motivation. When you show yourself kindness, you create space for learning, resilience, and sustainable growth. Just like you would encourage a friend who is working hard to improve, you deserve that same patience and compassion. You’re not broken, and you don’t need fixing. You are worthy of the effort you spend stretching toward your potential.

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