The term self improvement is a bit misleading, and sometimes, erroneously interpreted.
What do you actually improve? You don’t improve your “self” and you don’t improve your “spirit”.
You don’t improve something that does not exist in you. You improve and develop certain skills that are already in you, but are weak, in a dormant state.
You improve your personality, attitude, and how you act and react.
Self improvement, which is self-growth, is a process of progress, improvement and gaining new, positive skills.
It’s a process that affects every area of your life.
Personal development techniques do not only affect your personality, but also your mental health. It’s a way for improving your life, and helps you achieve your goals.
Here are a few of examples of what self improvement does:
- What you do is develop certain skills to help you cope better with everyday life.
- You get rid of negative habits, such as anger, resentment, constantly complaining and procrastination.
- You build positive habits, such as kindness, discipline and positive thinking. You learn to look at things from a different, broader viewpoint.
- You teach yourself to forego limiting thoughts and habits.
Self improvement is actually not “Improving yourself”, so much as changing your point of view, changing the way you look at yourself and the world, building new positive habits, and developing certain skills.
Examples of Self Improvement
- Developing stronger willpower.
- Improving one’s self discipline.
- Strengthening focus and concentration.
- Increasing your patience .
- Learning to be more tolerant toward people.
- Getting rid of negative or weakening habits and developing new good habits.
- Learning to think more positively.
- Learning to be more kind and loving.
This is just a partial list of the aims and goals of self improvement.
Self Improvement Requires Taking Action
The important point to remember is that everything worthwhile in life needs some effort and time to gain. There is no instant improvement or development of any skill. Progress requires that you leave your comfort zone, and that’s not always easy.
You might have read books and participated in programs that promise immediate success. People who buy them, believe that they will immediately change their life. People expect and look for some kind of a miracle to change their life instantly, and often get disappointed when this does not happen.
There are many you buy books, but never read them. Some start practicing a certain technique or program and then stop after a short while.
If you wish to get results from self improvement books, programs and techniques, you need to practice what they teach, day after day.
You have to study, work and train yourself, the same way a doctor, a pilot, an engineer or an Olympic athlete train themselves. This is something most people won’t do, because they consider it too much work.
You might ask, “Will my life improve, if I practice some “self improvement” techniques?” Anything you do to develop positive habits and skills will help you handle your life and circumstances in a better and more successful way.
Sometimes, when people finally decide to be more practical, and not just read a book and expect miracles, they find that there are obstacles on their path, and if they don’t posses enough inner strength, they might drop the whole idea.
Don’t Allow Obstacles to Stop You
When starting anything new, one often becomes aware of problems and obstacles. These problems and obstacles are not new. They were there all the time, but you were not aware of them. Now, that you want to make changes your awareness of them becomes greater.
Don’t let anything daunt your spirit. Persevere and do not give up, and you will notice that they are getting weaker. In time, you will be able to get rid of them, or at least ignore them.
Pay attention to your behavior, how you act in various situations and how you react. Are you satisfied? If you are not, you need to take steps to make the necessary change.
You don’t improve your “self”. You improve your behavior, your habits, how react and how you treat people. You learn to get rid of negative habits and build up better ones.
After this short introduction you need to to learn some practical steps and start implementing them in your life. Browse this website, and you will find practical advice and guidance.
If you wish to go even further, and are serious about self improvement and personal growth, I highly recommend reading the self-help books that we offer you.
You will find in these books guidance, exercise, simple steps and improvement tips to build inner strength, focus, positive thinking, happiness and inner peace.
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About the Author
My name is Remez Sasson. I am the author and creator of SuccessConsciousness.com, which I have been running since 2001. Join me on a fabulous journey to self improvement, happiness, success, positive lifestyle, conscious living and meditation, through my website, articles and books.