We’re all a work in progress, right?

Each day, each moment, we’re evolving, growing, and shifting into becoming the best versions of ourselves. But how can we tell if we’re on the right track?

Psychology gives us some fascinating insights into this. It turns out there are certain signs that indicate you’re evolving into the most complete version of yourself.

In this article, I’m about to share ten of these signs with you. They’re like little breadcrumbs on your path of personal growth, allowing you to see just how far you’ve come.

So buckle up and get ready for some self-reflection. You might be pleasantly surprised by what you discover.

After all, becoming the best version of yourself is all about acknowledging your progress and celebrating your victories, no matter how small they may seem.

Let’s dive in!

1) Embracing change

Change. It’s inevitable, yet it often sparks fear and resistance in us. But here’s the thing: embracing change is a clear sign you’re evolving into the most complete version of yourself.

Why?

Because personal growth doesn’t happen when we’re comfortable. It happens when we’re challenged, when we step out of our comfort zones and face the unknown.

When you find yourself not only accepting but welcoming changes in your life, it’s a surefire sign you’re on the right track. It means you’re open to new possibilities, ready to learn and grow.

Psychologist Carl Rogers once said, “The good life is a process, not a state of being. It is a direction, not a destination.”

And that’s exactly what embracing change is all about.

It’s about recognizing that we’re always in a state of becoming, and that every change, whether big or small, is an opportunity for personal evolution.

So if you’ve been leaning into change recently, give yourself some credit. It shows you’re committed to becoming the best possible version of yourself.

2) Discovering self-awareness

Discovering self-awareness, in my own experience, is a game-changer.

It was a typical Tuesday afternoon when I found myself caught in a whirlwind of stress. Work was piling up, deadlines were looming, and I was on the brink of a meltdown.

But then something happened.

I took a step back, took a deep breath, and started to examine my feelings instead of just reacting to them. I acknowledged my stress, understood its source, and found ways to manage it effectively.

That moment of self-awareness made all the difference.

According to psychologist Daniel Goleman, “Self-awareness is not an attention that gets carried away by emotions, by thoughts about the emotions…It’s a neutral mode that maintains self-reflectiveness even amidst turbulent emotions.”

So if you find yourself becoming more introspective, taking time to understand your feelings and actions, and working towards managing them better, it’s a solid sign you’re evolving.

It shows you’re committed to understanding yourself better and working towards emotional intelligence—a key aspect of becoming the most complete version of you.

3) Facing your fears head-on

This one is tough, I’m not going to lie. It’s raw and it’s real. Facing your fears is no walk in the park. It’s a full-on hike up a steep mountain, with the path often obscured by fog.

But let me tell you something: when you reach the peak, the view is incredible.

Facing your fears means pushing past comfort zones; it means confronting the things that keep you up at night.

And doing this is a clear sign you’re evolving into a more complete version of yourself.

As psychologist Susan Jeffers famously said in her book, “Feel the Fear… and Do It Anyway,” we grow when we face what scares us.

Facing our fears allows us to unlock new levels of understanding about ourselves and our potential.

So if you’ve dared to face your fears, give yourself a pat on the back.

It shows an incredible amount of courage and strength, qualities that are essential in your journey towards personal evolution.

4) Cultivating empathy

I remember a day when I saw an old woman struggling to cross the road. Without a second thought, I helped her reach the other side safely. The smile on her face was priceless.

It was then that I realized the power of empathy.

Cultivating empathy isn’t just about understanding other people’s feelings; it’s about sharing them, feeling with them. It’s about connecting with others on a deeper level.

Psychologist Carl Rogers said, “When someone really hears you without passing judgement on you, without trying to take responsibility for you, without trying to mold you, it feels damn good.”

That’s the power of empathy. It allows us to connect with others in a meaningful way, and in doing so, it helps us grow as individuals.

If you’re finding yourself more in tune with the emotions of others and are actively seeking to understand and share in their experiences, it’s a sure sign that you’re evolving into a more complete version of yourself.

Your capacity for empathy speaks volumes about your personal growth.

5) Celebrating others’ success

Counterintuitive, isn’t it?

We’re often wired to compare ourselves with others, which can sometimes make it hard to genuinely celebrate their success.

But here’s the twist: taking joy in others’ achievements is a clear sign you’re evolving.

Psychologist Abraham Maslow once said, “The good or healthy society would then be defined as one that permitted people’s highest purposes to emerge by satisfying all their basic needs.”

By celebrating others success, we’re acknowledging their journey and fostering positivity, both crucial elements in our development.

So if you’re genuinely rejoicing in others’ victories, take it as a testament to your personal growth.

6) Seeking discomfort

It might sound strange, but seeking discomfort is a sign of personal growth.

This doesn’t mean you’re going out of your way to be uncomfortable, but rather that you’re willing to take risks and embrace challenges in the spirit of growth.

As psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi explains in his theory of ‘flow’, optimal experience and personal growth occur when we tackle tasks that stretch our abilities.

When you find yourself intentionally stepping into situations that push your boundaries, it’s a clear sign you’re evolving into a more complete version of yourself.

It shows you’re not just content with the status quo; you’re actively seeking opportunities to grow and improve.

7) Prioritizing self-care

I remember a time when I was always on the go, always pushing myself to the limit. It wasn’t until I hit a wall that I realized the importance of self-care.

Taking care of your physical, emotional, and mental well-being isn’t selfish – it’s necessary. It’s about understanding that you can’t pour from an empty cup.

Famous psychologist Abraham Maslow explained this in his hierarchy of needs, stating that our basic physiological and safety needs must be met before we can achieve self-actualization.

So if you’re setting aside time for self-care, whether it’s through exercise, meditation, or simply taking a break when you need it, it’s a positive indicator that you’re evolving into your most complete self.

You’re recognizing the importance of taking care of yourself as part of your personal growth journey.

8) Acknowledging your imperfections

This one’s hard.

Acknowledging our imperfections means coming face-to-face with our flaws, our mistakes, and our failures. It’s a raw, honest look in the mirror.

But it’s also a transformative one.

Psychologist Carl Jung once said, “I am not what happened to me, I am what I choose to become.” This means acknowledging your imperfections, but not letting them define you.

If you’re actively acknowledging and accepting your imperfections, it’s a powerful sign of personal evolution.

It shows that you’re not trying to be perfect; instead, you’re trying to be real, authentic, and whole – the most complete version of yourself.

9) Giving without expecting

Now, this might seem counterintuitive in a world where we’re often taught to look out for what’s in it for us.

But giving selflessly, without expecting anything in return, is a sign you’re evolving into the most complete version of yourself.

As psychologist Adam Grant puts it, “The greatest untapped source of motivation is a sense of service to others.”

Giving fosters empathy, strengthens our connections with others, and simply makes us feel good.

If you’ve been finding joy in giving without expecting anything back, you’re clearly on a path of personal evolution.

It’s a testament to your growth and your journey towards becoming the best version of yourself.

10) Craving knowledge

I’ve always been a bit of a bookworm. But over time, I realized it wasn’t just about the love for books. It was a craving for knowledge, for learning.

According to psychologist Carol Dweck, having a “growth mindset” – the belief that you can improve and learn new things – is crucial for personal development.

So if you find yourself with an insatiable hunger to learn, to grow, and to know more, consider it a sign that you’re evolving into your most complete self.

It’s evidence of your commitment to continuous personal growth and improvement.

Final thoughts: The journey is yours

In the end, the journey towards becoming the most complete version of yourself is deeply personal.

It’s about embracing your individuality, acknowledging your strengths and weaknesses, and continuously striving for growth.

As psychologist Carl Rogers said, “The only person who is educated is the one who has learned how to learn and change.”

This speaks to the heart of personal evolution. It’s not about reaching a final destination, but rather about committing to the process of learning, changing, and growing.

Each of these signs indicates that you’re on the right path. But remember, it’s not about ticking off boxes on a list.

It’s about recognizing these signs within yourself and using them as a compass to guide your journey.

Whether you’re facing your fears, celebrating others’ success, or simply taking time for self-care, remember that every step you take brings you closer to becoming the most complete version of yourself.

So take a moment to reflect on your journey so far. You might be further along than you think.