Why Bother with Self-Improvement

Why bother with self-improvement?  Why put forth the effort to make changes?  Why put yourself through the discomfort?  Why do all the work?

There are countless reasons to pursue self-improvement.  One of the most important reasons from a general perspective is to enhance the quality of your life.  I’ll give you a list of more specific reasons later.  First, I want to discuss why some people do not try to improve themselves.

I’m always amazed by the reasons people give for not attempting to improve their thinking, change their attitude, get organized, advance their communication skills, refine their relationships, lose weight, eat healthily, start exercising, become thrifty, make their life simpler, and more.  Their reasons are mostly just excuses.

Here are some of the “reasons” I’ve heard.

• I don’t believe in self-improvement.
• I don’t believe in personal development gurus because most lack academic credentials.
• I don’t believe in the “New Thought” principles.  I’m old school.
• I need some psychotherapy to improve myself.
• I need antidepressants (or other psychiatric drugs) to improve myself.
• I’ve had so many disappointments that I don’t see much hope.
• I need to be happy before I can work on improving myself.
• I need to find a (romantic) partner before I can improve myself.
• I don’t want to talk about it.
• I think it’s better to ignore deficiencies in my relationship.
• I don’t want to rock the boat with my partner.
• I think our relationship is good.
• I don’t need to get organized. I find what I need eventually.
• I want to take it easy.  Productivity is too much work.
• I want to enjoy my life. So I’m going to eat, drink, and smoke what I want.
• I enjoy eating junk food.
• I enjoy smoking (cigarettes, cigars, pot).
• I enjoy drinking alcohol.
• I hate to exercise.
• I can’t get myself motivated to exercise.
• I wish there were a weight loss program that would work for me.
• I don’t care about my weight.
• I don’t like being careful with my money.  It’s too much trouble.
• I don’t want to create a budget.  I don’t care how much I’m spending.
• I max out my credit cards because I want to get what I want now!
• I don’t want to be cheap like frugal people are.
• I don’t see how simplifying my life will make it any better.
• I don’t know how to make my life simpler than it already is.

Here’s what I think is going on.

• I’m too lazy to put forth the effort to improve myself.
• I’m closed-minded.
• I’m too lazy to learn or try anything new.
• I’ve been brainwashed.
• I’m narrow-minded.
• I’m dependent on psychiatric drugs to feel good.
• I use past failures as an excuse to do nothing in the present.
• I use depression as a way to avoid doing the work needed to improve my life.
• I’m afraid.
• I’m too old for self-improvement.
• I don’t know how to be courageous.
• I’m too miserable to work on improving myself.
• I’m too insecure to go it alone without a (romantic) partner.
• I’m afraid to tell my partner my concerns.
• I’m afraid to communicate my boundaries with people.
• I’m afraid to take an honest look at the health of my relationship.
• I don’t want to put forth the effort to get organized.
• I can’t control myself when it comes to junk food.
• I probably won’t live too much longer anyway.
• I need my nicotine fixes throughout the day to avoid withdrawal.
• I need my alcohol fixes to feel normal and avoid withdrawal.
• I can’t get myself to eat right or exercise.
• I’m afraid I won’t be able to do the exercises or stick with it.
• I need someone else (a program) to make me lose weight and exercise.
• I hate my overweight body, but I don’t want to think or talk about it.
• I’m spoiled and selfish, so I will buy what I want.
• I’m too lazy to be careful with my money.
• I’m too lazy to put forth the effort to simplify my life.
• I’m unwilling and/or afraid to learn or try anything new.
• I’m unwilling and/or afraid to change.
• I’m unwilling and/or afraid to take 100% responsibility for my life.
• I’d rather keep doing as I always have.
• I’d rather drink a bottle of gin.
• I’d rather watch television.
• I’d rather eat a cake.

Here are some reasons to pursue self-improvement.

• Stop being a pessimist.
• Stop reliving past failures and painful memories.
• Stop manifesting what you do NOT want.
• Stop using drugs (psychiatric, alcohol, nicotine, caffeine) to control your mood.
• Stop being depressed.
• Start being an optimist.
• Start living in the present as if you already had what you wanted.
• Start manifesting what you want.
• Start attracting financial abundance.
• Start controlling your mood by managing your thoughts.
• Learn how to communicate effectively.
• Learn how to establish boundaries with people.
• Stop people from cleverly managing you.
• Start managing your relationships skillfully.
• Start communicating your concerns and desires to your partner.
• Stop weakening your courage by moving away from your fears.
• Stop thinking and talking about your fears.
• Start strengthening your courage by moving toward your fears.
• Start thinking and talking about your bravery.
• Stop being disorganized and wasteful.
• Start being organized and productive.
• Start eating a healthy diet.
• Start exercising daily.
• Lose the extra weight.
• Have the body you want.
• Wear the clothing sizes you want.
• Have a clear complexion.
• Have more energy.
• Look years younger than you are.
• Attract the (romantic) relationship you want.
• Eliminate diseases.
• Reduce the chance of getting cancer, heart disease, and other ailments.
• Have more by living with less.
• Become financially independent.
• Gain more peace and comfort.
• Start being open to new ideas and methods.
• Start welcoming opportunities for growth and change.
• Start taking 100% responsibility for every aspect of your life.
• Start doing what you’ve always put off or avoided.
• Become a role model for your children, family, and friends.
• Create the life you want.

There are no disadvantages or losses when it comes to self-improvement. It’s all good. Even your mistakes, setbacks, and restarts offer valuable opportunities for learning and growth. As you succeed in making improvements and begin to see the results, your motivation to do more and persevere further will grow.