Why is it that we have resolutions in the New Year when we should be considering what we need to do throughout the whole year?  I invite you to think about what is important to you and to write goals (not resolutions) that encompass all areas of your life.

1. Develop some goal statements.  That is, what do you want to achieve?  These goal statements must be SMART, that is specific, measurable, attainable, relevant and timely.  For example I want to sell $10,000 in product next month.
2. Consider having goals for different areas of your life, one for personal, one for work, one for health, one for friendship.
3. Let others know about your goal so that you will be more committed to it.  For example, let others know that you plan to lose 20 pounds over the next 12 months, they may help you with it by suggesting that you exercise together or may even have some great low fat recipes.
4. If you are going to give up a habit, replace it with something else.  For example if you are going to give up smoking consider some nicotine substitutes (there are plenty available at the Chemist or drug store).
5. Write down your goal so that you are more committed to it.

Many years ago my wife was studying for an exam and she was drawing these colorful diagrams while reading her notes.  At first they didn’t make much sense to me so I dismissed them thinking she was crazy.  Curiousity got the better of me and later I had to find out more about these crazy looking diagrams so I asked her what she was doing.  She told me she was “Mind Mapping” and she quickly explained how it worked.  It intrigued me and I wanted to know more.

Now I am using Mind Maps all the time to help myself and my clients with projects, coaching, sales proposals and nearly anything that needs clearer thinking.  So what is mind mapping?  Well mind mapping is a tool that engages both your left and right sides of your brain and as a result you actually complete activities more effectively and with better quality.  You basically put your thoughts down in a very effective manner on paper or a computer as a diagram that represents the way you think.   They can be used in many different situations and for many different reasons.  Use them during business meetings, when you study, when you plan or to come up with the most innovating ideas.

On the two year anniversary of the day that I was told I had Bowel cancer I have decided to write this article to let people know what happen and how I used my mind to fight the devastation of the disease to myself, my family and friends.  I hope this article can help others dealing with such events.

From the young age of 10 years old, I was introduced to the disease called “Cancer”.  This introduction was through my Father’s diagnosis, treatment and death from “Lung Cancer”.  As a child, seeing your father fight the disease and worst the treatments, had a very strong impact on me.  He died at 52 when I was only 12 years old.  The doctors claimed that the cancer was the result of his heavy smoking habit, so I vowed never to smoke cigarettes and that I would use my experience to help others quit.   My sister was next with her own battle of bowel cancer at the very young age of 29, then followed by mother with breast and bladder cancer.  As you can see there is a very strong history of cancer in my family.

Before you can take the steps towards improving yourself you need to do a bit of self analysis. Get an understanding of what really makes you tick. Only by understanding yourself can you truly make positive transitions in your life.

I often meet people who tell me they are really content with their life and the way things are. This is often the fact because most people find it hard to think of anything else. However, when they have to answer these questions they often find the real issues at hand that has been holding them back from achieving what they believe to be success.

Here are 10 questions you should ask yourself and honestly answer. Write them down on a piece of paper or in a pad so you can reflect on them at a later date. Not only will this help you understand if your transformation is really occurring but it will serve as a reminder why you decided to undertake such a journey.

So what are these questions you should ask yourself before undertaking any self improvement:

1. What do I really want? - You probably have many things you want but what do you want to do with your life? Write it down no matter what it is or how important it is. Look at the things you are good at as this may help you realize what you really want to do with your life. Consider them as small steps toward your ultimate goal.
2. Should I really change? - Take the time to think if you really want to change. If you don't really want to change you will be your own enemy toward your success. Write down the reasons why you want to change as they will reaffirm you desire. These will be very powerful if you digress or lapse in your self-improvement plans.
3. What are the positives of improving yourself? - Identify the positive outcomes of improving yourself. It can be difficult during your journey of self-improvement if you don't know what to expect when you have achieved them. These positives will only help you reenforce your needs and desires to improve yourself.
4. Am I comfortable with what I'm doing? - Be honest with yourself. If you are comfortable with what you are doing it may be difficult to change. Self-improvement is not easy and will require dedication. Falling into old habits will be easy and your commitment to your goals will be essential for your success.
5. What have I done for myself? - Look at your past and record when you have done something for yourself. Mark them as successful or unsuccessful and then write down the reasons why. Is there a trend of success or failure? Analyse your responses and identify if your current aspirations to improve yourself is destined for success or failure. It may highlight areas to avoid or techniques to reuse.
6. Am I happy at where I am today? - Look at yourself and where you are in life. Are you where you wanted to be when you where a child? Has your aspirations changed? If you are happy can you still be even better? Imagine what you could be as it is what you can be.
7. Am I happy socially? - Review your social life and would you like to change it? How would you like to change it and do you firmly believe it to be possible? This will help you identify what you will need to do should you want to change in this area.
8. How much could I have? - Consider what you could have and how much you want. This could be money, friends, success or anything else. Now consider the work involved in getting this and are you ready to invest yourself towards these aspirations. You may need to change the amount you want.
9. What truly motivates me? - The key to any self-improvement goal is motivation. It could be money, food, friendship, love or something else. Pick the one that truly motivates you. Whatever it is, it will help you define your self-improvement goals to ensure your success. Use it as a reward for achieving your goals.
10. What makes me tick? - From the other nine questions you should be able to easily describe yourself and what makes you tick as an individual. Write this down as your personal statement. A description of your true self.

Now, you can be anything you want to be and through this self analysis you should have identified if you are ready and really want to change. Self-improvement is never easy but if you understand yourself it can certainly be easier. Consider self-improvement to be like climbing a mountain but when you get to the top you know you have achieved something worthwhile. You must remember that self-improvement is more than just changing yourself but something that you really want.