Self-improvement; A great deal has been written on the subject, but does any anyone really know how to successfully implement a creative and manageable plan for its accomplishment? The concept involves goal setting, planning, time management as well as patience, faith, understanding and real desire. Too many times, people approach self improvement haphazardly, unfocused and unclear as to exactly what they want. This is not a paper specifically concerning goal-setting, that will be addressed another time in greater detail, but rather a blueprint for the implementation of the plan you generate during your own self-improvement goal setting exercise.
Many times, we set out on a self-improvement course of action with literally no idea of how to proceed, with only a loose idea of what we really want to accomplish. Basically, at this point, it's just a dream of a better day. This is actually not what you want; after all, you expect success. You must believe success is possible and probable. Be expectant. Be confident.
Before you begin, sit down and write out your plan of action. Clearly write your goal, your timeframe, identify the specific steps to accomplish during the journey and the obstacles that you expect to encounter along the way. Yes, write this all down. Review it each evening before bed and again when you awaken in the morning. Keep your plan with you at all times and read it aloud to yourself several times during the day. This will imbed it deeply into your subconscious mind where it will steer you in the direction of your goal.
Jeff Olson talks about the Slight-Edge Formula for success. Imagine an incremental system where you consciously plan to improve just ?% each day, or even each week. Can you do that? Sure you can. Everybody can. It has been said that "you can eat an elephant if you do it one bite at a time." The same idea holds true with this concept. The premise is to experience minute improvements on a consistent basis that tend to compound over time like interest. A ?% improvement in any skill each day is a 1-?% improvement each week! A 7% improvement each month! An 84% improvement in just 1 year! It's actually higher than that because all of your advances are compounding at an exponential rate! Are you beginning to see the potential of this compounding power at work within you?
The Slight Edge Formula for success is the answer. Do a little each day and reap the rewards you desire over time, while consistently moving in the direction of your goal. You will always get out in proportion to what you put in. Apply yourself. It pays big dividends!
Most people never begin. They may talk a big talk, but they fail to act. Only a few of those who do take action tend to persist over time. Are you one of the few who are determined to make your life different? Do you want changes badly enough? Then begin now. Persist. Make no excuses.
"What's in it for me" or WIIFM is your mantra. What is it that's in it for you that will drive you to pursue the goals that you have defined? Identify this and you have taken the first step toward the success you desire. This can potentially change your life? Nothing will happen until you first decide to get started. You have to make things happen. Do not wait for things to miraculously happen. They will not.
Choose to employ the Slight-Edge Formula into your everyday life events. It is simple, easy to implement and it really works.
Daniel Sitter is the author of the breakthrough e-book, Learning For Profit, the revolutionary "how-to" book providing simple, step-by-step instructions to teach people exactly how to learn new skills faster than ever before. It is what the author calls a "skinny book", a new generation of e-book designed for busy people. Containing no "filler or fluff", it gets right to the point with no wasted time. It can be read easily and quickly on a computer, a PDA or printed for later reference. Visit http://www.learningforprofit.com/ or contact the author directly. This e-book is currently available from C|net's download.com, the authors' web site and a variety of online book merchants. Mr. Sitter is a contributing writer for several online and traditional publications.