Blog for Self Improvement

Be all you can be, but it's not always in the Army. I often see myself as somewhat contented with my life the way things are, but of course it's hard to think of anything else when where are real issues to be discussed.

Still I aspire for something deeper and more meaningful.

So we're all pelted with problems. Honestly it shouldn't even bother or even hinder us to becoming all we ought to be. Aspirations as kids should continue to live within us, even though it would be short-lived or as long as we could hold on to the dream. They say you can't teach an old dog new tricks… or can they?

1. What do I really want?

The question of the ages. So many things you want to do with your life and so little time to even go about during the day.

Find something that you are good at can help realize that small step towards improvement. Diligence is the key to know that it is worth it.

2. Should I really change?

Today's generation has taken another level of redefining 'self', or at least that's what the kids are saying. Having an army of teenage nieces and nephews has taught me that there are far worse things that they could have had than acne or maybe even promiscuity. So how does that fit into your lifestyle?

If history has taught us one thing, it's the life that we have gone through. Try to see if partying Seventies style wouldn't appeal to the younger generation, but dancing is part of partying. Watch them applaud after showing them how to really dance than break their bones in break-dancing.

3. What's the bright side in all of this?

With so much is happening around us there seem to be no room for even considering that light at the end of the tunnel. We can still see it as something positive without undergoing so much scrutiny. And if it's a train at the end of the tunnel, take it for a ride and see what makes the world go round!

4. Am I comfortable with what I'm doing?

There's always the easy way and the right way when it comes to deciding what goes with which shoes, or purse, shirt and whatnot. It doesn't take a genius to see yourself as someone unique, or else we'll all be equally the same in everything we do. Variety brings in very interesting and exciting questions to be experimented.

5. Have I done enough for myself?

Have you, or is there something more you want to do? Discontentment in every aspect can be dangerous in large doses, but in small amounts you'll be able to see and do stuff you could never imagine doing.

6. Am I happy at where I am today?

It's an unfair question so let it be an answer! You love being a good and loving mom or dad to your kids, then take it up a notch! Your kids will love you forever. The same goes with everyday life!

7. Am I appealing to the opposite sex?

So maybe I don't have an answer to that, but that doesn't mean I can't try it, though. Whether you shape-up, change the way you wear your clothes or hair, or even your attitude towards people, you should always remember it will always be for your own benefit.

8. How much could I have?

I suppose in this case there is no such things on having things too much or too little, but it's more on how badly you really need it. I'd like to have lots of money, no denying that, but the question is that how much are you willing to work for it?

9. What motivates me?

What motivates you? It's an answer you have to find out for yourself. There are so many things that can make everyone happy, but to choose one of the may be the hardest part. It's not like you can't have one serving of your favorite food in a buffet and that's it. Just try it piece by piece.

10. What Really Makes You Tick?

So? What really makes you tick? You can be just about anything you always wanted to be, but to realize that attaining something that may seem very difficult is already giving up before you even start that journey. Always remember, that self-improvement is not just about the physical or philosophical change you have to undergo, but it's something that you really want.

A Seventeenth Century Samurai maxim states:

"A man who has attained mastery of an art reveals it in his every action"

This saying is one of my personal favorites. There is so much depth to its meaning. Allow me to discuss it a little and explain how it will be able to benefit you.

First, a question: What is the single greatest thing that you can do with mastery and excellence? Don't say: "nothing." Everybody is good at something. Just think for a moment.

There will be one thing that you can do perfectly time and time again. It is the thing that is so ridiculously easy for you to do that you can do it with your eyes closed, almost standing on your head - so to speak. It may be a simple thing or it may be something quite complex, but whatever it is you make it look easy.

In fact, you are so good at it you make other people think that they can do it easily too - until they try. It might be a sport like tennis or something as mundane as making scones or cupcakes.

It's amazing how a champion tennis player can make the game look so simple. Or how a master cook can seemingly slap ingredients together and come up with an absolute masterpiece of culinary delight.

So what is it? What are you a master at? Keep that thing in mind while I diverge back to the samurai for a moment - a little bit of history.

The samurai lived by the sword and died by it. They were so adept at reading body movement that they were able to draw their swords and use them with deadly effect against opponents in the mere blink of an eye. Their observations and reflexes were finely honed, principally because their very existence depended on it. But did you know that they were able to transcend their ability with the sword into other arts? Many of them were also master poets. Others were highly skilled calligraphers. Others became very skilled in the art of the tea ceremony. Some became master carpenters.

Have you noticed how these "ancillary" skills are so diametrically opposed to their military expertise with the sword? So how and why did they engage in these things? Could it be that they were "balancing" their lives? Were they following the concept of "yin and yang?"

If you are not sure what yin and yang is I will outline it briefly for you. Basically, it a Japanese recognition of the duality of all things in nature. For instance, night and day, female and male, black and white and so on. Further, there is some night within day and some day within night and so on.

Time for another question. Are you so set in your ways that you refuse to develop other skills? Can you not broaden your horizons? Might you be able to "balance" your life a little more?

Think back to that one thing that you are able to do very well. Why not take that mindset and transfer it to something else? You can create a persona that shows other people that you are a special person. Others have done it. You even know them. Some of them might even be your close friends. They are the people who seem to be good at everything they turn their minds to. I'll bet you are thinking of somebody like that right now.

Now you know how they do it. They are using the samurai maxim.

And just to balance the genders (yin and yang):

"A woman who has attained mastery of an art reveals it in her every action"

Develop yourself. Improve your abilities. You can do it. All it takes is discipline and a willingness to expand your mind. The samurai did it. So can you.

About the author: Gary Simpson is the author of eight books covering a diverse range of subjects such as self esteem, affirmations, self defense, finance and much more. His articles appear all over the web. Gary's email address is budo@iinet.net.au. Click here to go to his Motivation & Self Esteem for Success website where you can receive his "Zenspirational Thoughts" plus an immediate FREE copy of his highly acclaimed, life-changing e-book "The Power of Choice."

We could all do with a little personal improvement, but where do you start? Here are some self-improvement tips that can help you get motivated to change your life.

Tip #1

Where do you stand with yourself? This can be hard to evaluate because often we try and think of what other people have told us about ourselves, but if you sit and just think about it for a little bit you can usually come to a good conclusion about how you really feel. Write it down and sort things out. A big indicator of disliking yourself is if you are constantly feeling guilty, self-conscious, or thinking that you should be able to do more. If this is the case write down the three biggest things that you feel stop you from liking yourself.

Tip #2

Now focus on the three things you wrote down. Start with the first and figure out a way to change that part of you into something you do like. In some cases it may be as simple as eliminating something from your life, but in most cases the things on your list that you dislike are things that will take a little time and work to establish in your life. Set a goal and work on only one at a time. If one of the things you don't like about yourself is your weight, you may want to consider making a couple of goals and working on each individually. For example, start with eating a balanced diet, then when this is something you have mastered, move on to exercising regularly. Trying to work on all of your goals at once will only make it hard and more likely that you won't succeed.

Tip #3

Find someone to use as an example. Is there someone you know who exemplifies a characteristic you want to make a part of your life? Watch what they do, talk to them. If you feel comfortable telling them that you have made a goal to try and gain this characteristic let them know and see if they have any suggestions that may help you. This is especially useful if you are trying gain a talent they have or if you are trying to loose weight. They may be able to refer you to someone who helped them.

Tip #4

Get some help from experts. Read a few books by self-improvement gurus Dale Carnegie, Deepak Chopra, Zig Ziegler and Anthony Robbins. They can really help motivate you when you are feeling doubtful or hesitant about starting a goal.

Tip #5

Take action and practice, practice, practice. If you want to continue your education start calling local colleges; if you want to get into shape don't waste your time getting expensive equipment, sign up at a local YMCA, get a workout video and get started. Like playing the piano, learning to ride a bike or learning to read it may take a while before your goal becomes second nature, but don't let this discourage you. Leave yourself reminders in your car, at work and at home that will continue to keep that goal in the front of your mind. Once you get started it is harder to stop, so stop planning and start implementing your goal.

Chris Simons is a prolific freelance writer. You are welcomed to visithttp://self-improvement.cyberinformer.com, for more information on Self Improvement.