165. Ways to Better Ourselves | 成為更好的自己
– Musings of Dr. Jamie C. Hsu, 1.8.2025
As we start the new year of 2025, many of us are probably making resolutions to better ourselves. Through my years of study, practice, and mentoring youths, I have found that there are different ways to make ourselves better and more valuable, depending on our personalities and circumstances. People may be vision-driven, goal-driven, or action-driven. There is no one approach that will fit everyone. Let me elaborate a bit more.
Vision (To-Be) Driven Approach:
Some people get energized by visualizing the to-be state of themselves: for example, to be a loving father, to be a caring friend, or to be a valuable employee. Setting such a vision and yearning to reach that vision will subconsciously drive us to do the right things. This is similar to changing direction in cycling or ice skating; when you look at the target, you automatically ride or skate toward that direction.
Goal (To-Achieve) Driven Approach:
In the business and academic worlds, many people are used to having specific goals to help them improve and grow. Sales targets, academic grades, or athletic performances motivate them to keep practicing and improving. Measurements and data are essential to them so they know how they are doing against the goals.
Action (To-Do) Driven Approach:
To some people, visions may be too vague, and goals may be too far to inspire them into action. They want specific, tactical to-do lists to get them into action mode. They specify actions such as going to the gym every day, visiting a customer on Friday, or reading one book per month to drive themselves. And they also enjoy the satisfaction of checking off the completed to-do items.
People have different personalities. It is important to understand if we are the intuitive, sensing, extraverted, or introverted type of person, and what motivates us. Of course, the ideal way would be to link our visions, goals, and actions together to have a holistic and powerful plan to get us to become a better and more valuable person. (See accompanying chart for more details)
You should give it a try. It may not be easy, but it will definitely be an eye-opening and beneficial experience. Happy New Year!
成為更好的自己
–作者 許俊宸博士
–中譯 薛乃綺
迎接 2025 年的到來，許多人可能都在為自己設定新年目標，希望變得更好。這麼多年來，我透過學習、實踐以及指導年輕人，發現其實讓自己變得更好、更有價值的方法，會因為個性和情境的不同而有所差異。每個人可能是被願景驅動、目標驅動，或是行動驅動。沒有一種方法是放之四海而皆準的，以下我想稍微解釋說明一下：
願景（To-Be）導向：
有些人因為能夠想像出未來的理想狀態而感到充滿動力。例如，想成為一個有愛的父親、一位貼心的朋友，或是一名有價值的員工。僅僅是設定這樣的願景，並渴望達成它，就能在潛意識中推動我們做出正確的選擇。這就像在騎腳踏車或溜冰時改變方向，只要看向目標，就會自然而然地朝那個方向前進。
目標（To-Achieve）導向：
在商業和學術領域，很多人習慣以具體的目標來幫助自己進步和成長。例如銷售業績目標、學術成績，或者運動表現，這些目標能激勵他們不斷練習和提升。對這些人來說，數據和衡量標準非常重要，因為它們能告訴自己距離目標還有多遠。
行動（To-Do）導向：
對某些人來說，願景可能過於模糊、目標可能太遙遠，兩者都無法激勵他們行動。他們需要更具體的戰術，像是「待辦清單」來進入行動模式。例如，每天去健身房、每週五拜訪客戶，或是每月閱讀一本書，這些具體的行動可以驅使他們前進。同時，完成待辦事項後勾掉的那種成就感，也是他們所享受的。
每個人的個性不同，因此了解自己是直覺型、感覺型、外向型還是內向型，以及什麼能激勵自己，是非常重要的。當然，最理想的方式是將我們的願景、目標和行動結合起來，形成一個全面而有力的計劃，幫助我們成為更好、更有價值的人。我在参考圖上提供了一個這樣系統性設計新年目標的例子給大家參考看看。
不妨試試看吧！這或許不容易，但一定會是一段令你耳目一新且受益良多的體驗。祝大家新年快樂！
