Do you feel as though you're in a rut?  Does nothing feel engaging or entertaining?  When you want to make sure you're still in the right direction and you don't want to settle for a mundane life, you'll discover that you need to start challenging yourself.  

When you take on a challenge head first, you're forcing yourself to grow. When your self-esteem needs a boost, challenging yourself can help you see yourself in a new light.

What Kind of Challenges Should I Pursue?

No matter what type of challenge you undertake, don't assume you're going to get started on it "sometime soon." Think about what steps you need to take to get there today.  Whether it involves making some phone calls or getting some certifications, make some time to get it done as soon as possible.  

* If you have the desire to start a new career, call a career counselor for guidance or the local university for class schedules.

* If you challenge yourself to achieve better health, call a nutritionist or the local gym for rates and advice.

* If you always wanted to learn how to play a musical instrument, call the music store to inquire about lessons or rental fees.

Don't delay when something is this important, but remember that moving slowly is much better than not moving at all.  When you want to make sure you're achieving the results that you deserve, you'll discover that choosing to move at all is a big step.

Practice Setting Goals and Holding Yourself Accountable

Another way you can start conquering small challenges is by setting some achievable goals.  For instance, say you want to improve your writing skills.  Then set yourself a goal to write at least a paragraph a day. It's a simple, realistic goal that will help you improve your skills.

It's very likely that you will become more productive when you have a limited amount of time to accomplish your simple challenge. So if you only have 15 minutes to concentrate on your challenge, then make the best use of it and simply focus your energy on making it the most productive 15 minutes of your day.

Measure Your Progress Regularly

In order to build your self-esteem, you regularly need to see how far you've come.  Make sure you keep track of your progress on a regular basis.  

* Keep a diary that lists all you've accomplished in the day.

* Keep a list of all books you read last month.

* Keep a weight journal to track how many pounds you've lost.

Over time, you'll find that this is a great way to keep yourself moving forward.  Looking at past progress is a great way to replicate your success, so keep note of how far you've come.

The Power of Numbers

If you're struggling to challenge yourself, remember that you can get someone else to work with you.  Do you have any goals that you and your loved ones share?  If so, take some time and see if you can encourage each other. This encouragement will help to build your self-esteem because you'll see progress toward your goal.

We must always strive for constant self-improvement. In doing so, we'll see just how capable and competent we really are!

To Your Success & Motivation,

T. L. Pakii Pierce
Publisher, Upgrade Your Mind
"Change Your Mind, Change Your Life"

July 18, 2009 in Self-Improvement | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack