People talk a lot about *"self-improvement,"* and many of us have even attended an assortment of workshops and seminars on some variation of the idea of *"becoming the best version of ourselves we can be."*

Maybe it sounds familiar to you, as well...

![0554-Maple.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/denmarkguy/EoiVhz3JDeBgATdRQ9G8uW2tWdjDYnraeHdrN7PRnv7HMQKqMLxiYeUptjaWzv3MBNV.JPG)

## *What is "Self-Improvement," Really?*

What are we *really* traying to accomplish? What are our *real* dreams and desires, here?

For most people, there's some kind of recognition that part of the equation of our lives could use a little work; it could be better.

In some ways, it's a bit like so0called *"New Year's Resolutions"* which set us on the course towards some sort of personal goal: *I'm going to get in shape, lose weight, organize my house, learn a new skill...* whatever.

Of course, the *real* challenge inevitably turns out to be that pesky issue of *sticking to it,* whatever *"it"* might be. It just seems to damned hard, sometimes!

![0576-PinkRose.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/denmarkguy/23xenKp847v32yTYhiwpo4dtSTiSB48SA39EPFkVttBujTwbJrBLxrk2mbvrv9wt44YP2.jpg)

## *Are You Actually READY?*

Most of the time, when our plans don't go... *as planned*... it's not really because we set the wrong goals, or didn't plan well, the problem tends to be that we're not actually *ready* for the changes we're embarking on.

Sure, we might *think* we're ready, and we can wrap ourselves around the *intellectual* aspects of readiness, but if our hearts and spirits aren't onboard, we're pretty much doomed to failure... something I have learned *the hard way* many many times.

The thing about self-improvement that's actually *worth* something and genuinely capable of *changing our lives* is that it requires a sincere *readiness* for a change to happen. some form of half-hearted *"dabbling"* just isn't going to cut it.

Sadly, much of the time, actual changes that *last* end up being *forced* upon us.

![0459-WildCoast.jpg](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/denmarkguy/245Hh5p9T1PMZ1Lj8tf4VLAPVPsjQbaqy2WGDTvk2PP1Lm2RjpbhKaKxPJ774Jh4ea4zw.jpg)

For example, my beachcombing friend Dan didn't *seriously* change his lousy eating habits and start losing his 40 extra pounds until a small heart attack sent him to the emergency room... where he also was told — in not so many words — that he was basically a ticking time bomb, *unless* he started eating better and shed the weight.

Of course, making changes doesn't *have* to be quite that dramatic!

However, we do have to reach a crossroads of sorts in which we realize that we're essentially not going to see any improvement in some kind of difficult/unpleasant aspect of our lives unless we sincerely *commit* to change. And then we need to keep following up!

And that *can* definitely take a while, and may include a number of *"false starts"* before actually changing a habit *"takes hold."*

![0598-PinkColumbine.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/denmarkguy/23w2snUMVUThms9BTFmsMy178qP3UXkxVyV4Hqb4aaF7vJx5qArvRNS5eHQibq1PdQ2eM.JPG)

## *It Doesn't Have to be "Unpleasant!"*

Effectuating major changes in our lives doesn't necessarily have to be in connection with something *unpleasant.*

Even so, it can still be remarkably challenging.

When I determined that I needed to take my art more *"seriously,"* if I wanted *any* chance of creating some kind of commercial success, it was far more difficult than anticipated. The real challenge lay in actually *making time* to work on it *every day.*

Doesn't make sense, because doing something creative *should be fun,* right?

But I soon enough realized that I always had *lots* of excuses for why I *"needed to"* take care of other things first... usually relating to the *"functional aspects"* of daily life.

![0286-Salmonberry.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/denmarkguy/Ep5ofiMgXAvtjfdN3UKEzUoqnCxR9dadtWFDP7Rv4bFejvre3tTdqjMkx77e5AjtfBJ.JPG)

## *Or so I was Telling Myself...*

In truth, I was actually *"telling myself stories,"* because what I *really* needed to give up time doing and instead spend on art was time *"wasted"* with social media, and a bit of gaming, and various *"busy work"* routines in my life that really didn't contribute anything of value... but *I was used to doing them, every day.*

Looking at all the bits and pieces taught me a *lot* about the importance of actually being fully *ready* to make changes in your life... which is ultimately what self-improvement is about.

One of the things that's often overlooked is the importance of adjusting the *"infrastructure"* of your life — often things that have *nothing* to do with your new goal — to actually *support* your desire for change. 

![0446-WinterSunset.JPG](https://files.peakd.com/file/peakd-hive/denmarkguy/23yx3mGbShCs2sNEXxkcBNBA8DrbB87zUpVpjw5nDAWnnjdAQuXpihkK8N3ziweds5EPM.JPG)

I don't know any clever shortcuts to determine actual *"readiness"* to make changes... but I *would* suggest taking a good bit of time to take a hard look at what actually needs to *happen* to make a new goal possible. Because simply *having* the goal is *not* enough!

Thanks for reading, and have a great rest of your week!

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