What's your marathon? 8 ways to self-improve in 2025

On April 27th, runners and fitness fans from around the world took part in a famous race: the London Marathon. A marathon is a type of long distance run amassing 26.2 miles, or 40 kilometres. Many consider this the ultimate test for runners of stamina, determination, and mental strength.

The marathon originated in ancient Greece. A messenger ran 26.2 miles from the battle of Marathon after winning against the Persian army. The legend states that he ran all the way back to Athens without stopping and announced that the battle was over. Unfortunately, after being able to dramatically deliver the message, he collapsed and died from exhaustion.

To honour his memory, people started running the marathon distance. It first became part of the Modern Olympic games in Athens in 1896. This was done to remember the glory of Ancient Greece and quickly became a popular event. 

Running a marathon is a huge achievement. However, there are many other ways to achieve goals and complete your own marathon. Some of the ways you can do this include finishing tasks you’ve delayed or sticking to a new year’s resolution.

Here are some ideas you can use to set goals, start and stay motivated on your self improvement journey:

Exercise is beneficial to all – even if it’s just getting outside every day for fifteen minutes. Studies prove that exercise is great for both your mental and physical health. Every step is a step in the right direction, but it’s much harder to keep at a positive habit than to start one.

Your first personal marathon could be to stick to that workout routine you promised yourself you would, or to get your 10,000 steps in. However difficult your goal is, it’s important that you stick to it until it becomes a habit.

A good way to stay consistent and reach your goal is to join a club or workout class. You can also go with a friend. Another option is to set a reminder in your calendar so you don't forget. Building short term habits sets you up in the future for long term success.

Perhaps you’ve always wanted to start a blog, or your brand new camera is sitting on the shelf collecting dust. Start your personal marathon today. Choose something you want to do and commit to it for 30 days.

If you decide it isn’t for you, at least now you know that you’ve tried something productive. Working on a creative project is good for your mind and you will feel immensely satisfied when you finish it.

Even if it’s just for ten minutes a day, spend some time for the next month working on a personal project.

If you’re looking for something creative, you’re already taking a simple step in the right direction. Creative skills are a great way to relax your mind and build confidence. Things such as painting, writing and music are all fantastic outlets, particularly if you often feel stressed. They help you feel good and exit your comfort zone.

Studies have proven that practicing a hobby for a long time changes the shape of your brain! All in all, learning a creative skill will have many benefits on your mental health.

If you’re interested in a new creative skill, why not try our art, textiles and literature courses? From discovering art practical to learning all about Shakespeare's sonnets, we’ve got something for all interests.

Your personal marathon could be to build your confidence. Some people try "rejection therapy." This means they put themselves in situations where others might reject them, and they do this to stop fearing that feeling. 

This is helpful because many people avoid rejection. It's one major reason some choose not to go after what they truly want.

However, this strategy requires a certain level of fearlessness to try and isn’t for everyone. If you're looking to build confidence, you can take one of our courses. You can also try self-motivational methods like affirmations.

Affirmations can include telling yourself positive things in the mirror, or activities such as journaling. Here is a blog we’ve written about some ways you can journal and how it can benefit your life: Five Techniques to Practice Gratitude

Another goal you could try setting yourself could be to improve your physical and mental health. One key way which you can do this is through eating a healthy diet. When you eat a balanced diet, you will notice a huge improvement in your health and wellbeing. If you eat unhealthy food all the time, you may feel more tired.

You should aim to include carbohydrates, proteins, fruit, vegetables and healthy fats into each day.

We don't always know what will happen in the future, but uncomfortable situations are inevitable. Facing your challenges can be a tough personal goal, however, it will help your self esteem.

Just like learning to build confidence, accepting challenges will get you to leave your comfort zone. You realise that many obstacles are actually opportunities to build your character. Accepting challenges in life can be a great way to overcome things you never thought you could.

Social media can be a great way to stay in touch with friends and family. However, studies have shown that using social media too much can lower your self-confidence. It also takes away from time you could be using to work on something meaningful.

Instead of quitting social media and losing touch with your friends, set timers. This way, you can limit your usage to only an hour a day. Or, you can take a break for a few weeks to work on your goals, then come back when you've completed what you wanted to.

Social media can be a brilliant tool and you can connect with people all over the world. Just ensure that you stay on track and don't forget to complete your important tasks.

Finally, you can begin your next personal marathon today by learning something new and building a good habit. This can be upgrading your CV with a new skill, or perhaps taking an online course.

You can choose from many skills at the WEA. We offer courses in maths and English and we also have work-specific courses like management and mentoring.

By starting a course and committing to learning, you will build your confidence. You will also earn an accredited certificate for your CV. Kick your bad habits to the curb and try learning a new skill here.

Whether it's personal or professional, it doesn't matter how you choose to reach your goals. What matters is that you try your best to wake up each day a little better than the last.