Action Steps

Now that you know what can be done for self improvement, you need to take the next steps. You need to put what you have learned into action.

You have the power to make positive changes in your life through self improvement.

Don’t put off getting started because that first step is what will get you on your way to positive changes.

The time is going to pass regardless, and you don’t want to have regret that you didn’t get started.

If you make a plan for self improvement and find it isn’t working for you, don’t give up. Modify your approach and keep moving forward.

Actions speak louder than words, so you have to get things in motion.

Stop talking about change and thinking about change, and go the distance to make those changes in your life. Here some action steps to help you!

Assessment

Take a personal assessment and be very honest with yourself.

Go through the various categories and determine where you need to make self improvement changes and why it is important to do so.

Look at each of these categories:

• Financial
• Health
• Spiritual Growth
• Relationships
• Time Management

Some people are very strong in certain categories and weaker in others. If you need to make some improvements in each of these categories, that is fine.

Your assessment isn’t to focus on what you are doing wrong in your life.

It is to give you an idea of what can be improved upon to make your life better than it is right now.

Your overall attitude throughout the assessment will help you to use this learning tool successfully. Stay positive and focus on the end result you are going after.

The assessment needs to be very honest though so don’t be too hard on yourself but don’t make excuses either.

Prioritize

Determine what you would like to change the most and why it is important to do so.

If you try to change too much at once, it will be overwhelming and you won’t succeed.

Focus on one thing at a time and then add something else once you have it under control.

It can help to focus on easier and shorter time framed first.

For example, getting more rest at night on a regular basis is going to be easier to accomplish than to stop smoking.

Go through your list and decide what you will work on first and why. Some people like the challenge of the hardest things first and others want some immediate results.

Your mindset on it can determine what you will pursue first. There could be other reasons why you make your decision too.

For example, if you are continually stressed about money issues, focusing in self improvement relating to your finances may be your main priority.

If you are struggling with relationships, that could be the place you want to start.

Everyone has their own scenario and that is why you have to put your needs first and work on your self improvement according to what will benefit you the most.

It can be helpful to list the priorities as well as the reasons why they are important to you. This can help you to put it all in prospective.

Right Method for You

The biggest part of making something work for you is the right method. You already know what you like and what you don’t.

A plan of action that forces you to take actions you will hate day after day isn’t going to work. It is only going to set you up to fail.

There are many paths that can take you to a final destination. Pick on that works the best for you.

This doesn’t mean that the path is going to be easy though.

By identifying the options you have in front of you, the ability to pick the one that you can reasonably stick with the best is important.

Not doing this is a huge reason why many people fail when it comes to self improvement.

They had the desire, they just didn’t have the right means in front of them to make it happen.

Believe the Change will Happen

How can you expect anyone else to believe in what you are going to do if you don’t believe in yourself?

Self doubt can keep you frozen in time and prevent you from moving forward with action steps. Don’t let the fear of failure hold you in place where you are.

If you do so, then you have already let failure win. Why not stand up for what you want and fight to get it?

You can be your best advocate with the opportunities to change. The subconscious though can be a hard thing to get past when you are trying to believe in yourself.

If you have very low self esteem then it can be tough for you to really think you can make positive changes.

You have to focus on what you like about yourself and eliminate those negative thoughts as soon as they enter your mind.

Self Improvement Goals

For each of the elements that you have identified for self improvement, you need to set goals. Here are some things to think about:

• What is the outcome that you desire overall?
• What are the steps you must take to get there?
• How will you measure your progress?
• What resources can you count on to help you achieve those goals?
• Why do these goals matter to you?

Break it Up

Self improvement goals aren’t always going to be simple to achieve. They can take time and they can take many steps.

Break those down into smaller timeframes and pieces so that you can manage each part of the process.

By doing this, it seems more obtainable than just a huge goal out there you want to get to someday.

Assigning time is very important because it holds you accountable. For example, you can’t just say that you will lose weight.

You have to say that you will lose 1 pound per week for a period of 15 weeks to reach your goal.

Then you will need to have a menu planned and exercise planned as well as time carved out to spend on exercise.

This is an example of a detailed plan of action that will help you to obtain a goal.

Being specific, being detailed with your plan, and being honest with yourself about what you can do and how you will do it all make a difference.

The only thing that can motivate you is your own desire for self improvement, and the only thing that can hold you back is your own fears.

You have to decide which one you are going to let into the driver’s seat.

Monitor Progress

Another step in the process is being able to monitor your progress. Keeping a detailed journal is a good idea. This allows you to see what efforts you made each day.

It also lets you see where you may have had some pitfalls that you can work on to really focus on your overall goal.

Monitoring your progress is also a huge part of motivation. When you feel like you can’t keep going forward, just take a look at where you have been.

It will give you the empowerment to continue on your journey towards that goal.

If you don’t feel that you are making progress, it is time to look at your plan of action. Is there something in it that isn’t going the way you had anticipated?

This could be a good time for you to make changes to your plan or to identify what challenges you have to overcome in order to allow the progress to occur.

Stay Positive

It isn’t always going to be easy when it comes to your plan of action for self improvement. Yet that end result that is there is so worth it.

Do all you can to stay positive and to stay motivated. Keep your goals visual so that you can focus on them. Visualize success as you sit quietly with your eyes closed.

Focus on what you have done right and what you have learned rather than what you haven’t done. If you make mistakes, pick up from there and move on.

For example, if you are trying to quit smoking but you have a tough day and light up, don’t beat yourself up for it.

Identify those triggers for the future and have a plan of action regarding what you can do instead of smoking.

That will help you avoid the problem developing again in the future.

Get right back on track and don’t let that minor set back prevent you from moving forward to successfully reach your overall goals.

Get Support

You don’t have to go about self improvement all on your own. Get support from those that care about you to help you be accountable.

For example, if you are trying to lose weight, tell your friends and family. They can encourage you to eat better and to exercise daily.

Perhaps someone will be willing to be a workout partner with you.

If you are working on communication, tell those that you are close to.

They can help you to identify when you hit barriers in communication again or when you are really opening up to them.

Get support from people that will rally for you, encourage you, and that are your greatest cheerleaders.

When people around you know your goals, they can assist you to reaching them. They won’t be a barrier in your way by accident.

Your best friend won’t be baking you a delicious cake when you are on a diet if they know about it!

Allocate Resources

There are plenty of  resources that you can count on too for your efforts. These resources can help you to identify the best method for you of reaching your goal.

Look for proven methods that get results for your particular needs, not gimmicks that only cost you money.

Your library may have some wonderful self help books on given topics that you wish to work on.

They may be worth reading to get some good ideas to motivate you and to develop your plan of action.

The internet can be a good resource too, but be aware that some of the information is to lead you to buying a product or service that is being promoted.

Before you invest in any such program, make sure you carefully research it to see what types of results other people have had with that same program.

There are educational resources in your community that can help you with financial self improvement and with exploring spiritual growth.

There are professional services that can help you with financial planning and with improving relationships.

There are also support groups both online and locally that you can be a part of.

These support groups allow you to talk with others that are going through the same things you are.

It can be reassuring to know you aren’t alone, to get help from them, and also to share your own insight with others to benefit from.

Rewards

Create a reward system that works for you and encourages you to really strive to reach your goals.

Those rewards should be things you normally wouldn’t offer to yourself.

For example, if you are trying to quit smoking, put aside the money you would typically spend on tobacco products.

Save it up and when you haven’t smoked for 6 months treat yourself to a vacation.

You have certainly earned it, and you won’t have to take any money from your normal budget to do so!

Rewards can be anything that motivate you personally. They don’t have to be expensive either.

If you are working on time management as self improvement, a reward can simply be a day all to yourself to relax and have no commitments.

That down time will be really enriching and gives you some freedom from always being tied to a time schedule day after day.

Dive In

That first step can be the hardest, and you may be saying that now isn’t a good time in your life to try to make such changes.

Yet there will never be the perfect time to do so. You have to take advantage of the opportunity that is right before your eyes.

Know that you know the steps involved and you have identified your own reasons for making self improvements, dive in.

Put your plan of action to work and see the results transform your life so that you live it the way that brings you the most success and the most happiness day after day!

It takes time, effort, and self discipline to make self improvement.

The rewards that it brings though will improve the quality of your life both professionally and personally.

It is never too late to improve yourself to be the person you want to be. In fact, successful people continue to improve themselves all the time.

Consider it an ongoing work in progress and your mindset surrounding self improvement will be better.

Self improvement action steps have to come from the heart and from a sincere desire to reach a goal.

You have to really want what you are reaching for, not doing it for someone else.

You have to take the time to be honest with yourself about where you are, where you would like to be, and what it is going to take in order to get there.

You can’t make too many changes at once though as that will be overwhelming.

You have to work on one or two things at a time and then add more as you reach those goals.

Deciding what is the most important to you for change can help you to make your decision.

If you have some changes to make that will be easy and short term to accomplish, they may be the best to start with.

That sense of satisfaction of making the changes successfully can provide you with the motivation to tackle the bigger self improvement changes you need to make and the longer timeframes that go along with them.

Self improvement gives you the opportunity to really grow and to develop into the person you want to be.

When you look in the mirror, you want to be able to enjoy what you see.

Not just the outside physical appearance but you also want to feel good about who you are behind the scenes.

Self improvement can help you to achieve the goals and success in your life that has been out of reach for far too long.

This can cause you to doubt yourself or feel like you have made bad decisions. We all have the power to make better choices and to turn things around.

The future can be much brighter when you make self improvement actions your quest.

Financial freedom is important as money problems can cause a great deal of stress and disharmony in any household.

Identifying the core issues, communicating about money, and establishing a budget is important.

Self improvement with your money management means you feel in control of your money and you are eliminating your debts.

It also means you have money put away for emergencies.

Ideally, you should have at least enough money in savings to pay for all of your living expenses for 2 months.

You never know when you may lose your job suddenly or be out of work due to illness.

Money management also means you have funds in investments with a good strategy for retirement.

Funds that are diversified allows you to balance the earnings with any losses over time.

The level of risk that should be involved with those investments depends on your age. The closer you are to retirement, the lower the risk should be.

Self improvement relating to your health is very important. Being able to physically and mentally focus at a high level at any age is important.

Too many people don’t make their health a priority until they get older and have issues. By then, it can be too late.

Eating right and daily exercise will help with keeping a good weight. It will also give your body the fuel it needs to work properly.

Improving eating habits, getting active, and eliminating extra body weight will all help you with being healthier overall.

It is important to work with your doctor regarding prevention, early intervention, and treatment plans for any health concerns.

Taking care of your mental health is also important.

It means that you can have improved mood, be alert, and issues with depression or other problems can be treated if necessary.

The mind and the body need to be in balance with each other. This is the only way for you to feel your best and for your mind to function at the optimum level.

Your brain sends messages to the body so pay attention to what it is telling you.

Getting enough sleep on a regular basis is very important. This is an area of self improvement where many people need to make changes.

Continually not getting enough sleep can reduce mental abilities, it can cause irritability, and it can make the body sluggish.

Managing stress is also a big part of self improvement measures.

Too much stress in any areas of your life can make it harder for you to obtain success or to feel like you are on the right track.

Spiritual growth may be important to you during certain times of your life.

There are many options when it comes to this, and you need to explore choices before you decide what is right for you.

Spiritual growth often occurs both on an individual level and within an environment that offers support.

For example, attending church and Bible study with others that share your beliefs.

Spiritual growth can help you to live a life in a manner that is more generous and giving towards others.

This going to provide you with a sense of self worth and personal gratification that doesn’t come from work or other elements of your life.

It is rewarding to see the benefits of what you offer helping other people.

Spiritual growth can also be important to those that aren’t sure about what the afterlife will bring for them. We all have to face the fact that we won’t live forever.

Being able to accept that and to be at peace with what comes after is important.

There is no right or wrong way to define your spiritual growth as it is your choice to decide what you believe and how you will instill this underlying element as part of your ongoing life.

Improving relationships can open up many opportunities for you regarding living a better quality of life. It can help you to take on a leadership role at work.

It can make you more appealing to others in terms of them deciding to have a relationship with you.

Relationships you already have can improve and become more in depth when you communication in better ways than before.

Sometimes, this also means you will need to put an end to certain relationships that are really negative and not healthy for you.

Finding the strength to do so can be hard but in the end it will help you to really live the life that you want.

Some relationships are toxic and they drag us down a path we don’t need to be on.

Identifying them and moving away from them is a wonderful benefit of self improvement efforts regarding relationships.

Being in control of your emotions can help you with communication and with your relationships.

Listening more and talking less can also help you to put others at ease and for them to be willing to have a relationship with you.

Body language needs to present you as someone they can trust and that they can open up to.

Managing your time more efficiently is important if you want to accomplish your job tasks and you want to enhance your personal relationships.

Finding that balance between work and free time as well as your other responsibilities can certainly pose a challenge.

Ending procrastination, focusing on priorities, and accessing tools that will help you to achieve your goals are all worth pursuing.

A positive attitude will help you to be motivated and to stay on task.

Planning your time wisely and delegating where you can will also give you more free time than you imagined possible.

Be willing to say no when you can’t take on something else is a huge step for most people with self improvement.

It means that you don’t take on more than you can handle because you don’t want someone else to be disappointed.

By confident in what you pursue and know when to draw the line.

Making the final decision to really work at self improvement is a door that you will always be happy you opened.

The possibilities are endless as we can always work on improving ourselves over time.

Only you can make the decision about what is important for you to improve and why. Identifying what you would like to change is a huge action step.

Prioritize what you need to work on and pick one thing to focus on at a time.

Make a detailed plan of action after you have explored options and selected resources to assist you.

Hold yourself accountable with a timeframe for reaching that goal. Remember to break large goals down into smaller pieces and to reward yourself for your progress.

Being thankful for the good things in your life is also important. Most of us have far more than is right with us than what needs to be improved upon.

Keep people in your life that show you respect, that you admire, and that always strive to be the best person that they can be.

They can be a reflection of what you would like to see occur in your own life. Reach for what you want, and make it happen!

Self improvement is the method of choice to get yourself from where you are right now to where you want to be.

Visualize what your future can be like and let go of the past.

Free yourself from what has been holding you back and work on making changes in aspects of your life that will help you live a healthy, happy, and successful life.