Success Through Self -Improvement

“There's only one corner of the universe you can be certain of improving, and that's your own self.” - Aldous Huxley


There are several ingredients for improving yourself. A few of them are; life long continuous learning, passion towards chosen areas of interest, thinking round the clock with positive affirmations, coming out of comfort zone, attitude of gratitude, helping others, networking, etc., Before we look at the ways and means of self-improvement, let us know what is all about self-improvement succinctly.


What is Self-improvement?

“Perfection does not exist - you can always do better and you can always grow.” - Les Brown

Self-improvement is also known as self-help where in individuals are keen to bring out behavioral changes for their betterment. It may be physically, economically, intellectually and ethically. Everybody desires to achieve success in chosen areas. Success is possible though sustained self-improvement.

There are several thinkers and writers who pioneered self-improvement through their books. The author, Dale Carnegie (1888-1955) published the book titled ‘How to Win Friends and Influence People’ in 1936. He had several failures in his career and wrote the book which is a run away hit. Another author, James Allen published a book titled ‘As a Man Thinketh’ in 1902 which depicts that whatever the way individuals think they become be it positive or negative. Napoleon Hill is yet another author who published a book captioned ‘Think and Grow Rich’ in 1937 which mentions that thinking rich will make individuals wealthy and prosperous. Besides, several authors and thinkers contributed in the domain of self-improvement thereby rising a ray of hope for others especially for those who are under depression.


Tools for Self-improvement:

“Unless you try to do something beyond what you have mastered, you will never grow.” - C.R. Lawton

• Open up your mind and heart. Always be flexible and receptive to learning.
• Develop positive affirmations. Inking rather than thinking positive affirmations will deliver better results. Lee Iacocca aptly quoted, “The discipline of writing something down is the first step toward making it happen.”
• Set realistic goals and objectives.
• Manage your time effectively.
• Take continuous feedback.
• Explore your strengths and overcome your weaknesses.
• Find and list out the negative traits that hinder your progress. And discard the same gradually.
• Always love changes and challenges.
• Be free from ‘fear of failure’ or ‘fear of criticism’.
• Don’t envelope in desperation and develop insecurities.
• Never strive for perfection but only for excellence.
• Never compare yourself with others. You are what you are and God created you with a specific mission in this world.
• Avoid negative environment.
• Never brood over past failures. Always think of what next
• Avoid rumormongers, naggers, backstabbers, sluffers, snipers and whiners,
• Always be positive and confident.
• Forgive and forget.
• Stay away from procrastination.
• Finally, find out your talents and tap them. Develop your skills and abilities and leverage your inborn talents with cultivated skills and abilities for achieving all-round success.


Roadmap to Your Self-improvement Plan:

“The biggest room in the world is the room for improvement.” – Author Unknown

Daily get up early at a fixed time and start your day. It is possible through self-discipline. Plan what you intend to do for the rest of the day. It makes things less complex as you have already planned. Many successful entrepreneurs and personalities get up early at a fixed time. Go for a brisk walk or hit gym or do meditation as it fills you with energy and enthusiasm. It is the main key to their self improvement.

Go ahead the day with the to-do list by setting priorities. Sometimes there will be external disturbances which sidetrack your plans. Don’t get disheartened. Address the disturbances and get back to your track with renewed energy and enthusiasm.

Manage your time judiciously by addressing the tasks based on priority of importance. Never hold grudges against others as it kills your time in thinking about them as well as ruining your healthy mind. Cultivate the attitude of ‘forgive and forget’ which is possible only when you shed the past negative events and experiences about others. Research reveals that people waste 30 percent of their precious time by thinking about their bitter past which cannot be altered. Charles F. Kettering rightly quotes, “You can't have a better tomorrow if you are thinking about yesterday all the time.” Therefore, the wisdom lies in looking and living at the present and proceeding further without any regrets.


Conclusion:

“Become addicted to constant and never ending self improvement.” - Anthony J. D'Angelo

You need to have right strategy, practical action and consistency in approach in achieving success. While executing the tasks for a long time and if you miss in reaching your goals then it is time to take stock of the situation and strategy and follow a different course of action. Possess right tools and techniques in achieving your goals and objectives.

You cannot have success in overnight. Even if success comes in overnight, it would fade away within no time. Always be prepared. You don’t know when you will get opportunity. You will regret if you don’t rise to the occasion when opportunity knocks your door. Therefore, invest every moment through continuous self-improvement for achieving success.


The End