What a better article to write after my article on Is learning Important, than self improvement. I feel we are put on this earth to make a difference. Some of us leave a mark, while others just pass through unnoticed. So why is there such a great chasm between the two scenarios.

When I think about this I come to one conclusion, the difference between the two sides is that one side wanted change and would go to great lengths to attain it while the others were happy and content living.

This brought me to the stark truth that one has to have the will and motivation to make a difference, and this is not just by lip service but action.

How can you change the environment and the world in general if you do not want to improve yourself? Self Improvement is a call to action. It is about changing yourself for the better, not only outwardly by cosmetic surgery but inwardly.

This means that you are called to do something differently that what you have done so far. I watch the television show Biggest Loser sometimes, and amazed at the determination and motivation some of the contestants have to change their lives.This I feel in a sense is wanting real change and doing something about it.

So the question I ask is why are we not all interested in Self Improvement?

I believe the greatest deterrent is fear. Fear of the unknown, the fear of failure, a defeatist attitude, wondering what everyone will say or think about you, happy with your state in life, bogged down with all trials and tribulations. I could go but you get the picture.

I believe, courage is the motivator. Courage to face all your obstacles, know that the road will not be smooth and you will need sometimes to change direction as you head toward your goal of self help and improvement.

So improving ourselves needs to have these common threads:

• What areas of your life that you need to improve on. If you think you are perfect then just tell that to your spouse or significant other or your children and you will get a litany and will regret you ever asked. List it down as I believe that making all your senses aware and is going to help you tremendously
• Have a focus or a goal for self improvement.. This goal should have some stipulations as to a time horizon and the plan to reach it. Make the goal specific, and attainable Set the bar high but not so high that you know you will fail.
• Have a long term and short term plan as planning is the key ingredient. Once you achieve and you are on a roll you can tackle other areas that need development too.
• Have a clear and concise vision. This vision should not only impact you but also others around you. So get a support system in place. Get people who encourage, not molly coddle and always learn to take constructive criticism as this is important for you to improve yourself.
• Progress should be measurable. If you have no way of measurement then you have set yourself up for disaster. So give yourself a period of time and then revisit your goal and celebrate your achievements big or small. Remember, Rome was not built in a day.
• Be a realist and not pessimistic and having a great attitude helps your efforts towards success in everything that life throws at you.
• Find a benchmark to compare your progress, maybe get like minded people or your peers to undertake the journey and a little competition goes a long way and gets to be fun. It gets out the competitive spirit that gets buried in each human being.

I want to leave you with this thought by William Ernest Henley. It matters not how strait the gate, How charged with punishments the scroll, I am the master of my fate: I am the captain of my soul