In our day and age, becoming a better person has been overwhelmed by two mindsets.  The first one consists of many shattered pieces and mental barriers disguised as goals  and progress, while the latter is being deluged by thoughts that tend to depict achievable goals and wishes as insurmountable. However, being cognizant of the ways of approaching mental clarity is critical and does not only have an effect on one, but it also provides a cloud which people will come across when they see—a cloud that can  overcome their problems just by letting them collapse into it. 

The first side of people is locked in a mental cage of pressure by themselves or by  others—an impeccable force that is gravitating them into a false reality, influenced by  others’ progress and their inability to achieve their own. They have a tendency to set  unachievable goals and implement a rushed and very strict routine or time lapse without first becoming keen on the idea of progress. For this reason, although they create a  dynamic start, it quickly crumbles as its roots are built out of sugar. 

On the other hand, one may also experience frailty from the beginning. Furthermore,  they postpone tasks, and due to their fear and sometimes certainty of failure, they refuse to experiment—and a well-known fact is that without experimenting, one cannot  learn. They also experience a mental voice putting them under fire. Both basic categories begin differently but most of the time come down to the same conclusion: “I am  not good enough” or “I don’t have what it takes to proceed with my dreams.” But they  are wrong. 

To become a better person, one must first understand what progress truly means. Personal progress is the art of learning to understand oneself and, therefore, wandering  into a forest full of wild beasts (that may range from lack of support and societal understanding to postponing) to find hidden treasure. The first stage of progress is the  ‘awakening,’ when one understands his desire and need for a change, which holds extreme importance but very often happens late—though never too late. Then self-reflection comes in, providing even deeper understanding and the observation of problematic or morbid patterns as sources of fear. 

One’s ideal perception of progress must be: “Today I will do something a little better  compared to yesterday, and if I feel lost, then I am going to do something small.”  Every day when one wakes up, he is a different person than yesterday, but those small  changes are only visible after a long amount of time. The most crucial factor that con tributes to progress is supporting the tomorrow-version of oneself by making pro gress—even to the minimum—applying SMART goals (Specific, Measurable,  Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound goals). Bill Gates’ motto was: “Every day  learn something new and never let a day pass by.” Unfortunately, there are also obstacles which may tackle a substantial chunk of the progress that has already been made.  Strategies like reframing and psychological support from mentors or friends have  been proven quite effective. Nevertheless, this is the last stage, after which mental 

clarity has been achieved and progress has become a way of living, fully incorporated  into one’s routine. 

The benefits of mental clarity can truly be memorable to oneself, as well as to those  that surround him. He becomes a star, shining on those around, enlightening them and  transposing healthier relationships, as well as one’s confidence and quality of life. Progress is the manifestation of clarity and gives purpose to every living being.

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