By: Minh Tran, Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences Well-Being Leader

As bread dough bakes in the oven, it expands and molds to fit the shape of the container it is in. With no container, it expands in every which way with no sense of direction until it can no longer do so. When a baker molds the dough with intention, the outcome of the loaf takes on the form that they had envisioned. Self-improvement works in a similar manner to baking bread. If you want to become the person you’ve always imagined, you must shape yourself with purpose. Improvement doesn’t happen by accident; it takes work. The work of shaping and building healthy habits, mindsets, and actions guides you in that direction. Here are a baker’s dozen of tips to help you mold a better you and embark on a journey of self-improvement:

# 1: Gather your Ingredients (Identify the Person you want to become)

The first step of self-improvement is recognizing what aspects you want to improve. Take time to reflect on your values, goals, and qualities that you want to see in yourself. Once you identify what “ingredients” you want to use, you can begin building them and incorporating them into your recipe.

# 2: Follow the Recipe (Build a Routine)

Building a routine gives a framework that you can follow, just like how recipes can help guide the baking process. If you build a consistent routine, it will allow you to keep on track with the habits you’re actively building. Committing to a daily routine can create momentum that can lead to meaningful change in yourself over time.

#3: Start with Easy Bread-Baking techniques (Start small and then build up)

When you are a novice baker, you start with the simple recipes before you are able to tackle the more complex ones. When starting your journey of self-improvement, it is important to start small. Starting with small, manageable habits makes your journey feel more achievable. As you grow, you can gradually set bigger goals for yourself.

# 4: Mind Your Measurements (Pour Your Energy into the Correct Habits)

Just as baking requires precise measurements, the way you spend your energy should be intentional and poured into the correct things. Focus on habits that truly push you towards your goals rather than those that drain or distract you. Invest your energy into relationships and people that make you better as a person and can help push you to be the best version of

yourself. Investing your effort wisely can help you with your endurance in the journey of self-improvement

# 5: Keep Your Counters Clean (Keep your Physical and Mental Environment Tidy)

Creating a cutter-free environment, both physically and mentally, can help build a clearer path forward. This can help reduce stress and improve your focus if you are able to keep yourself organized. When your surroundings support your goals, progress feels more attainable.

# 6: Mix in New Flavors (Get out of Your Comfort Zone)

Pushing yourself outside of what is comfortable is a crucial aspect of growth, and it can enrich your life. It may feel very intimidating to do things you’re not normally comfortable with, but it can introduce you to opportunities you wouldn’t otherwise encounter, in which you can grow. Embracing moments of discomfort can help expand your potential and help you discover aspects of yourself you didn’t even know you had.

# 7: Let the Dough Sit (Take time to recharge and reset)

Rest is important on any journey, even self-improvement. If you are constantly working yourself to achieve your goals, you can get burnt out before you even reach them. That is why it is important to recharge and not overwork or overstress yourself. Taking breaks doesn’t slow you down on your journey, it just helps to build endurance.

# 8: Wait for the Dough to Bake (Be Patient with Yourself)

Self-improvement takes time, and the progress you make doesn’t always appear right away. It can sometimes be slow and unnoticeable. You need to trust the process, even when you can’t recognize the progress you’ve made. Patience ensures that the growth you make is steady.

# 9: Check the Dough Periodically (Make Sure to Recognize your Successes)

It’s important to take a step back and notice how far you’ve come on your journey. Celebrating the small wins can help reinforce positive habits and boost your confidence. Regular reflection allows you to appreciate the effort you’ve put in and can help you adjust your goals when needed.

# 10: Don’t Leave the Bread in the Oven for too Long (Don’t Overpush yourself)

Baking the bread for too long can ruin a loaf and sometimes even burn it. Similarly, pushing yourself can lead to burnout. It is important not to push yourself further than your limits because it can eventually cause you to slow down and throw you off track. Balancing effort with recovery ensures that you stay motivated and can keep up on your journey of self-improvement.

#11: Incorporate the Bread into different Dishes (Make Time for Yourself and your Interests)

Make room in your life for hobbies, fun, and personal interests. If you spend too much time working on your goals, you can sometimes lose sight of who you are. Spending time on things you can enjoy can fuel you and allow you to stay motivated.

# 12: Share the Loaf (Build a Community)

Growth is more meaningful when shared with others. Surround yourself with people who uplift, support, and encourage you. A strong community can offer guidance, accountability, and a sense of belonging that strengthens your journey.

# 13: Celebrate the final Product (Be True to Yourself)

Take pride in the person you’ve become. Celebrating your achievements reinforces your self-worth and highlights the hard work you’ve invested. Stay true to who you are, and let your authentic self shine as you continue growing.

This is a baker’s dozen of tips that can help you begin your journey of self-improvement, but also make bread! Each of the tips I’ve shared is like a piece of a recipe: some help you build a strong foundation, others add variety and flavor to your life, and a few teach you to adapt when things don’t go perfectly. Remember that self-improvement is more about the path than the destination. Everyone’s path is different, so remember that you shouldn’t compare your process to others. Enjoy the journey of becoming the person you want to be, and remember to stay true to yourself!