An extreme form of self-improvement is what some call having a “chip on your shoulder”. I suffer from this. I have a very self-critical mental monologue. I ran the New York Marathon. As I crossed the finish line, my first thought was: “I should have run faster”. I always thinking that I should have done that thing better.
This is a dangerous propellant. It pushes me. But left unchecked, it means I’m rarely happy. If you suffer from this trait as well, please force yourself to celebrate success. You’re likely underinvesting in creating memories that will bring you joy to look back on. When something good happens, take a moment to celebrate. Do something weird and fun, so that you’ll remember it. Add a room in your memory palace.