7 Tips For Creating A Better You

I seem to lose count on how many times I've read and heard of celebrity marriages failing almost left and right. It seems strange that we often see movie and TV stars as flawless people, living the fairytale life of rich and famous.

I suppose we all have to stop and face reality; they are people just like you and I!

There are many ways to lose your sense of self-esteem despite how trivial it could get. But whatever happens, we should all try not to lose our own sense of self.

So what does it take to be a cut above the rest? Here are some of the things you can think about and improve upon throughout each day.

1. Know your purpose
Are you wandering through life with little direction - hoping that you'll find happiness, health and prosperity? Identify your life's purpose or mission statement and you will have your own unique compass that will lead you to your truth north every time.

This may seem tricky at first when you see yourself to be in a tight spot or even a dead end. But there's always at least one little loophole to turn things around and it can make a big difference in the outcome.

2. Know your values
What do you value most? Make a list of your top 5 values. Some examples could be security, freedom, family, spiritual development, and learning. As you set your goals for 2007 - check them against your values. If the goal doesn't align with any of your top five values - you may want to reconsider it or revise it.

3. Know your needs
Unanswered needs can keep you from living genuinely. Take care of yourself! Do you have a need to be acknowledged, to be right, to be in control, to be loved?

There are so many people who live their lives without realizing their dreams, and most of them end up being stressed or even depressed. List your top four needs and get them met before it's too late!

4. Know your passions
You know who you are and what you truly enjoy in life. Obstacles like doubt, fear, and lack of enthusiasm will hinder you, but will not derail your chance to become the person you could to be. Express yourself and honor the people who have inspired you to become the very person you wanted to be.

5. Live from the inside out
Increase your awareness of your inner wisdom by regularly reflecting in silence. Become one with nature. Breathe deeply to quiet your distracted mind.

For most city slickers it's hard to even find the peace and quiet we want and need in our own home. In my case I often just sit in a dimly lit room, close my eyes and play some soft music. There's sound, yes, but music does soothe the savage beast and relieves the stress and tensions of life.

6. Honor your strengths
What are your positive traits? What special talents do you have? List three - if you get stuck, ask those closest to you to help you identify them. Are you imaginative, witty, and good with your hands?

Find ways to express your real self through your strengths. You can increase your self-confidence when you can share what you know with others.

7. Serve others
When you live sincerely, you will find that you develop an interconnected sense of being. When you are true to who you are, living your life's purpose and giving your talents to the world around you, you give back in service what you came to share with others -your spirit - your essence.

The rewards for sharing your gift with others are indeed fulfilling. This is especially true if it were to be through the eyes of a stranger who can fully appreciate what you have done to them.

Zig Ziglar states: "If you help enough people get what they want, you can have everything you want." So, in order to fulfill your dreams, help as many others as you can!

Self-improvement is indeed one type of work that is worth the effort. Work doesn't need to always be within the confines of an office building, or even in the four corners of your own room. The difference lies within ourselves and how much we want to change for the better.