3 Key Ingredients for Self Improvement
January 24th, 2008 by aaks
Most people want to change - to do better, be better, achieve more. Many don′t know where to start. There are three things that must be present if lasting change is to take place:
- Know who you are and what you believe - this is bedrock. This is not an easy task. It takes time and attention to get to know yourself. In our world of constant communication and instant everything, this can be a challenge. You don’t have to take long periods of time - hours and hours of meditation are not essential unless you are a yogi. But daily time with you is required. Take a walk with a purpose - to learn one new thing about you. Or give yourself five minutes every morning to reflect on your strengths and, oh, yes, your weaknesses. What are your good habits and what are your bad habits? What are your likes and dislikes? Pay attention during the day for clues to this. “I just love ___________, I really would like __________ or I just can’t stand ___________, I never want to __________. This will lead you to some important information about you. What are your beliefs and disbeliefs? I had a friend who says, “If you don’t know what you stand for, you’ll fall for anything.” Cliché, but true. The interesting and challenging thing about this is that it is always changing. As you get new information and as you raise your level of consciousness, much of the self-knowing will change. Be aware of where you are and what you believe on an ongoing basis. Know what you believe about love, family, God, money, society, politics, relationships, work - all the important areas of life.
- Know what you want. This will change as you change and grow but you need to know what you want now. Have a clear vision of what it is and how your life will look when you have it. Do you want a better education? more money? a love relationship? a new house? a compassionate heart? a child? more stuff? a healthy body? happiness? Make your list. When you have your list made, ask yourself “How can I acquire/achieve these things? Are you willing to work harder? Are you willing to make temporary sacrifices for long term gain? Can you manifest it? Visualize having it - bring all your senses into play. Play with it until you can see, feel, hear, touch, maybe taste what it will be like when you have it. You may find that you don’t really want it or are not ready for it now. This process cuts down on impulsive decisions that may make a lasting change that you are not happy with. It also gives you the assurance that it will be worth the time, effort and money required.
- Take responsibility for yourself and for your life. No one, absolutely no one, can do this for you. You can get help if you need it but no one can do it except you if it to be meaningful and lasting. You can copy someone else but it won’t be real for you. I heard someone the other day complaining that his parents had not left them enough money for him to live on. Excuse me, it wasn’t his parent’s responsibility. It was his responsibility as an able bodied, intelligent, educated adult to provide for himself. Employees blame the boss for their failure. Students blame the teacher, their schedule, their parents. We’ve all heard people playing the blame game - perhaps we’ve played it as well now and then. It’s only when you are honest with yourself and take responsibility for all phases of your life that real growth will occur.
When these three things are present, most of your self improvement will be done. You just need to add the finishing touches. Yehaw!
Irene Conlan has a masters degree in nursing, a doctoral degree in metaphysics, is a certified hypnotherapist and an ordained minister. She practices holistic hypnotherapy and officiates at weddings in Scottsdale, Az and the Phoenix metropolitan area. Irene can be found at http://www.theselfimprovementblog.com
Posted in Self-Improvement |
