Self Improvement

 

 

 

High expectations are the key to everything.

 

Sam Walton

 

 

Self improvement is certainly a method of enhancing the level of happiness in your life. It goes hand in hand with improving self image. Improving one usually improves the other. There are many things each of us can do to improve. We all have some areas which we want to improve and these are often in our thoughts. However,

 

Taking action to improve is what self improvement is all about.

 

Only you can decide what you want to improve. The key is that you strongly want to achieve the improvement. Dedication and hard work are required to achieve anything. Difficulties are often encountered. You must believe in yourself and maintain your commitment and determination. This is essential and cannot be overstated. There are many great quotes when it comes to improvement and determination. You might be surprized to know that Ben Franklin said:

 

There are no gains without pains.

 

Many people may associate that saying to atheletics, but it has been referenced to Franklin. Proably others before him had a similar thought.. The thought emphasizes hard work and commitment as cornerstones of improvement. You can have high expectations and still not necessarily achieve everything you strive for. However, to achieve most things, it is very helpful to have high expectations. Most people who ever achieved anything of significance had high expectations and determination. If you have these qualities, you will achieve many things.

 

A number of people have saidsomething like:

 

The harder you work, the luckier you get.

 

The emphasis is on work, not luck. The fact is that those who work hard often make things happen because of their efforts. It's generally not luck, but rather the results of their determination.

 

Certainly there are some things in life that are luck. Winning a lottery is a good example. What a great feeling it must be to look at your lottery numbers and realize that they match those drawn. Hearing someone describe their initial impression of disbelief followed by extreme jubilation is exciting and enviable.

 

However, you cannot count on luck to achieve your goals and aspirations. A famous athlete and businessman once said:

 

The more a person exerts themselves and asserts their own influence over their work, or whatever they do, the less part luck plays.

 

This goes along with the thought that you make your own breaks by hard work and perseverance. You cannot control luck, but your are in total control of how hard you work on anything you do. We often tend to look for excuses when striving to achieve. It seems to be human nature. Don't let discouraging events stop or erode your determination. Keep focused on your objective. We all experience setbacks in almost everything we attempt. However, the key to success, to achievement is to stick with it, remain positive and determined! You can do it.

 

Self improvement and attitude are directly related. A positive attitude about improving is essential to improvement. Your attitude is self fulfilling. Former U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt was very big on self improvement. He believed in striving for his personal best. In an 1899 speech he said something like:

 

The highest form of success comes not from the [person] who desires a mere easy pace, but to the [person] who does not shrink from danger, from hardship, or from a bitter toil.....and who out of these wins splendid ultimate triumphs.

 

He was encouraging people to be their best and to strive for their goal. You can apply this attitude to your work, your education, your personal projects, or whatever you do. Another inspiring thought from Roosevelt:

 

Far better it is to dare mighty things, to win glorious triumphs even though checkered by failure, than to take rank with poor spirits who neither enjoy much nor suffer much.

 

He emphasized striving to achieve, to improve, but to expect setbacks. He also emphasized to keep striving rather than just sitting back. There are many great quotes which capture the essence of improvement. For example, the famous writer Emerson said:

 

Every great and commanding moment in the annals of the world is the triumph of some enthusiasm.

 

He probably could have said 'much' enthusiasm. It certainly helps to be enthusiastic if you want to improve. Favous inventor Thomas Edison said:

 

I never did anything worth doing by accident, nor did any of my inventions come by accident, they came by work.

 

Hard work is required for success. Some people find happiness in continually striving for more or higher successes rather than simply stopping at some level. This is fine. Much of their satisfaction comes from the effort to achieve. A famous quote from the Star Trek series is this one, spoken by Spock:

 

Having is often less satisfying than wanting. It is not logical,

but it is often true.

 

Its a thought well worth considering. The point being made is that working toward a goal is very rewarding and satisfying.

 

Roosevelt also had a related quote about making the best of what you have.

 

Do what you can with what you have, wherever you are.

 

It's worth noting that many people do not strive for further improvement because they are content with their situation, because they are not adequately motivated for further achievement, or because they don't think they can improve in their current situation.

 

You must decide what is important or satisfying to you. You are the only one who can take the action to improve yourself. Please consider this thought:

 

Self improvement or achievement of any goal takes the will and determination that you provide. you can do it!

 

 

So, how can you improve certain aspects of your life? Consider these suggestions:

 

Write down what things you think need improving

 

Think about ways you can improve these things.

 

Determine what things you can do to improve.

 

Consider inputs and ideas from others.

 

Decide that you are going to improve.

 

Don't let procrastination stop you from achieving.

 

Take action - it's the key to improvement.

 

When you give your best, that's all you can do.