The Self-Improvement Process
Identifying the Problem
When it comes to personal growth and development, sometimes we feel that the problem is with us, but other times we're not so sure. In such cases it can be helpful to do what's called a gap analysis. Try the following steps, and if you are still not sure if you are the person you want to be, visit the Gap Analysis page. Try to be objective, and try to get input from your friends, family, or coworkers.
Look at where you want to be
Set personal improvement goals by thinking about the kind of person who could be what you want to be, or who could do the things you want to do. List the qualities, skills, attitudes or characteristics that person would have.
Look at where you are
Now, on the list of the qualities, skills, attitudes, or characteristics you listed as goals for your personal growth and development, check the ones you have.
Consider the gaps
Are there gaps? Things you checked? Then you have identified the targets for your personal improvement. You are ready to go to the next step.
Assessing the Severity
So, you see there's a problem. But just how serious is it? Follow these steps, and if you still aren't sure that the gap is holding you back, check out the Assessing Severity page. As with the first step, try to be objective, and try to get input from your friends, family, or coworkers.
Rate the gaps
For each gap you identified, rate the gap as minimal, meaning it would be nice to close the gap but it isn't required, moderate, meaning it causes difficulties achieving your goals but isn't necessarily a show stopper, or critical, meaning it is absolutely essential to close the gap for you to reach your goals.
Sort out the ratings
For now put aside the minimal and moderate gaps and focus on the ones you identified as critical. If you've resolved the critical gaps or there were none, move on to the moderate gaps, and then on to the minimal gaps.
Compute a score
For the gaps you've decided to focus on initially, move on to the next step.
Weighing the Costs
You see now that you need to improve, but at what cost? Will the benefits of change be worth the costs? Check out the steps below, and if you still aren't sure that there is a case to be made for change, check out the Costs & Benefits page. As always, try to be objective, and try to get input from your friends, family, or coworkers.
What will you give up?
List the items you will have to give up -- activities, money, time, et cetera. Next to each add the amount of money you would say the item is worth to you.
What will you gain?
List the things you will gain -- better job, better health, less stress, et cetera. Next to each item add the amount of money you would say it is worth to you.
So, is it worth it?
Add up the costs and benefits. Is the amount you will gain more than what you will give up? If the answer is yes, move on to the next step.
Reading the Room
You know the change is needed, but is now the time to act? Take a look at the steps below to assess calls to action. If you're still not sure, check out the Calls to Action page. Again, try to be objective, and try to get input from your friends, family, or coworkers.
Deja vu all over again?
Whether it's repeated stress attacks, hearing the same advice from multiple people, or experiencing repeated setbacks, the world may be trying to tell you something. List as many examples as you can think of where you've heard the same criticism or advice, experienced the same symptom, or repeatedly experienced disappointment.
Find common cause
Think about the things you listed. Do they have similarities? Could there be a common cause for all of these experiences? Draw lines connecting the items you listed that may have a common cause in your behavior, attitudes, or beliefs.
Is it time?
If you connected any items, maybe it's time to take action. If so, move on to the next step.
Making the Change
You've decided to make the change, but do you know how? Have you failed before to make a change? Check out these steps. If you're still not confident you can do it, go to the Making the Change page for help.
Set realistic goals
You've identified who you want to be. Now, write down the steps you need to take to get there. If the steps seem too big or hard, break them down into even smaller steps.
Make a plan
For each step, identify the actions you would take and the resources you would need to achieve that step. Timelines are okay, but you'll need to be flexible. Life doesn't always happen on the schedule we'd like.
Monitor performance
For each step, decide how you will track your progress. It could be as simple as notes in a notebook, or as sophisticated as a tracking app. You just need a way to check off whether you have taken the actions you identified.
Enlist others
As with everything in life, our judgments can be biased or inaccurate. Try to obtain feedback from others.
Reward yourself
When you've accomplished a step, or even just taken an action, give yourself a reward. Don't be afraid to feell good about what you have done, even if it's just a baby step.