Improvement
What does it take to improve one’s self? Generally, the primary element is not only the most basic, but often the most elusive: desire. Change begins with want. Add to this: focus. Desire alone provides motive, but the ability to remain focused on a goal requires a certain degree of discipline. The third ingredient is: education. Will and determination by themselves cannot insure improvement if one doesn’t have a viable plan to take them there.
With these three qualities, improvement of any type can be achieved: lose weight, quit smoking, learn a new language, start a new career…even change your perceptions about the world around you. The limits are only defined by the limits of the required qualities. How badly do you want it? How devoted are you to making the change? How completely do you understand the system within which the changes are to occur?
For example, if you desire to lose weight and you are dedicated to this end, how do you do so? Learn about what you eat affects you. Study the nutritional values of what you consume. Research physical routines and develop a system of diet and exercise which will result in a steady and healthly path to your goal.
This applies to every aspect of personal improvement. The observant will realize it to be a journey of body, mind and spirit all at the same time: desire, spirit, discipline, body, education, mind. To neglect one or more aspect is to suffer self imposed barriers.
