Stop the Self-help Struggle: Try This

So, you've decided to change your luck and your life. You've done some research and found a self improvement course that fits you. Great.

As with all things please remember, you're going to hit some slow spots. Things will go zinging along just fine in the beginning, then it seems that all of a sudden you're not getting anywhere. Not so.

Self improvement is just like anything else. You know how it is when you're dieting? You lose all that weight in the beginning, then the rest of the weight just looks back at you in the mirror?

And then you found out you'd just plateaued out? All you had to do was stick with it, your body chemistry worked through the next level, and then you started losing weight again.

Same thing holds true with self improvement. You're changing your outside reality to match the new you that's emerging on the inside. Those two things don't always happen on the same time table. Here are some tips to help see you through to the positive new you.

Number One: Attitude is everything.

Really. I'm serious. Stay positive.

Be the smiling face that looks back at you in the mirror. Some gloomy thought tries to pop into your head? Replace it with something that makes you happy like playing with your pet or plans for an upcoming trip. Anything to change the thought to something better. Elevate your thoughts, elevate your attitude. They go hand in hand.

Number Two: Stop swimming upstream.

Ever get involved in something and you find problem after problem at every turn. Chances are you're going against the flow instead of going with it.

When you hit that point it's time to sit one out and let things settle down a bit... swimming upstream can be exhausting... and makes getting there a lot more work than it needs to be. Letting things quiet down will usually relieve the pressure and allow your creative juices to bring in some creative new alternatives.

There's always another way to accomplish anything. Sometimes we're too busy "doing" to see what it is.

Number Three: Little by little really will get you there.

Put your thinking cap on and start jotting down little things to work on daily to help you stay motivated and directed.

It doesn't have to be major. Do something simple like congratulating yourself for making it through to the end of the day. Or posting yellow stickies all over the house to remind yourself to smile. A little bit goes a long way when it comes to self development. By the time you reach your next 30 day goal you'll be shocked at what a big difference you've already made. Exactly the place you envisioned yourself in the beginning.

Number Four: Try the Buddy System

Like attracts like. We've all heard and experienced that hundreds of times.

Like also supports like. Which means having someone to share things with along the way can really be a big help. Especially when you're starting to feel like you're the only one on the planet trying to do this whole self help and motivation thing the way you are.

Don't know anyone in your immediate circle? No problem.

The Internet is huge! If you're experiencing it so are a boat load of other people who are also looking for someone who can relate to what they're going through.

Go to your favorite search engine and type in "self help bulletin board" and see what comes up. You'll get hundreds of hits. You can also try a related category like "self esteem improvement", etc. Be creative here. There are a lot of others who would love to get your help as well as help you.