There’s no doubt that we all want to be better and the best versions of ourselves would be the ultimate prize. But, the problem is getting to this point can be difficult when you have so many other things requiring your time and attention.

Attempting to start a huge new project, a 12-week challenge or setting up a home business can often be met with procrastination, resistance, and disappointment. These are huge changes that you hope to make in your life and very often we just don’t have the energy, willpower or time to make them happen. And, in truth, the size of the goals can be daunting and overwhelming.

So instead, why not start really small and let those little changes add up to a better you? Here are eleven tiny improvements you can implement right now.

1 Make Your Bed in the Morning

You may have heard Admiral William H. McRaven’s speech to the graduates of the University of Texas many years ago – it’s certainly appeared on my Facebook feed often enough! He says, “If you make your bed every morning you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride, and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another. By the end of the day, that one task completed will have turned into many tasks completed.”

Making your bed is a great way to ‘train’ your willpower and, if you do end up having a miserable day, you’ll still come home to a bed that’s made.

2 Wake Up Fifteen Minutes Earlier

We all have the same amount of hours in the day. What could you do with fifteen more minutes in your day – a quick workout, listen to a podcast to get you motivated or, perhaps an empowering meditation? Just move your clock fifteen minutes earlier, you’ll hardly notice the difference.

3 Spend 15 Minutes Decluttering

Decluttering your physical space can help declutter your mind. According to research, clutter also limits your ability to process information effectively. Spend 15 minutes each day clearing your space – declutter magazines, books, kitchen appliances, those plastic containers that are balancing in the kitchen cupboard, your desk and bedroom draws. No more ‘floordrobes’. Live by this mantra:

• If you take it out, put it back

• If you open it, close it

• If you drop it, pick it up

• If you take it off, hang it up

4 Fix Something Every Day

Identify the things in your home that need attention. For example:

Replace that light bulb that burnt out three months ago

Sew the button back on your favourite shirt

Hang that picture up that’s been leaning against the wall for the past six months.

If you fix something everyday you’ll look back in a few weeks’ time and be amazed that all these little things add up to a lot.

5 Learn Something New Everyday

Learning across a wide range of subjects gives us a range of perspectives and instils an understanding of processes that may affect our lives. Knowledge also inspires us to think creatively  and helps us to adapt to new situations. Challenge yourself to learn something new each day – the name of a flower, the capital of a far-off country or, take out your dictionary and learn a new word. Today, personal and professional development is literally at your fingertips.

6 No Complaining

Did you know that negative talk, even if it’s just to yourself, produces negative thoughts which in turn produce negative results. So, whenever you catch yourself complaining about anything… stop yourself.

7 Sit Outside

Get outside in the fresh air for at least 10 minutes a day. You’ll sleep better, it will boost your vitamin D and even improve your immune system. Try doing something you already do but move it outside – like exercise.

8 Drink More Water

Most of us are permanently dehydrated. This can lead to altered temperature control, reduced motivation and increased fatigue. Your brain is strongly affected by your hydration levels and studies have shown that even mild dehydration can impair many aspects of brain function including mood and concentration. It can also increase the frequency of headaches.

9 Get Something New

Make small changes to improve the way you look – this could be a new pair of shoes, a stylish haircut or a new pair of earrings. You’ll feel much better for the self-pampering.

10 Take Omega-3 Fatty Acids

This boosts brain function, energy, immunity, and can fight depression and anxiety. It also helps to combat inflammation and is good for eye health.

11 Floss Your Teeth

It’s a small but important thing. Get into those spaces between your teeth with floss and remove the bacteria. Gum disease attacks the bones that support your teeth – dentists say that people who preserve their teeth look better as they age and brushing on its own doesn’t fully do the job.