Self Improvement - A Guide

Your Guide to Self Improvement 

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  Know Your Purpose:
  
  Write a paragraph about your life, break it down into small sentences, and then turn it into a 3-6 word statement. Your unique 'bumper sticker' (mantra) for life. This is mine that I refer to often..."Smile, It's Infectious", derived from my career as a medical assistant.
  
  
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  Know Your Values:
  
  Make a list of 4-5 things that you value (examples: freedom, family, security, spirituality, etc.), write a brief sentence of why, and record them along with your goals. Aligning your ideals with your life situation and goals ought to give you the motivation to hold true to your dreams.
  
  
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  Know Your Needs:
  
  Unmet needs can keep you from living authentically. Take care of yourself. Do you have a need to be acknowledged, to be heard, to have a handle on life, to be accepted? There are so many people who lived their lives without realizing their dreams and most of them end up being stressed or even depressed for that matter. List your top four needs and get them met before it's too late!
  
  
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  Know Your Passions:
  
  You know who you are and what you truly enjoy in life. Obstacles like doubt and lack of enthusiasm will only hinder you, but should not derail your chance to become the person you want to be. Express yourself and honor the people who have inspired you!
  
  
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  Live From the Inside Out:
  
  Increase your awareness of your inner wisdom by regularly reflecting in silence. Commune with nature, breathe deeply to quiet your distracted mind. If it's hard to find a totally quiet place, be assured that over time your mind can be trained to tune things out.
  
  
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  Honor Your Strengths:
  
  List three - if you get stuck, ask those closest to you for help. Find ways to express your authentic self through your strengths. You can increase your self-confidence when you can share what you know to others.
  
  
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  Serve Others:
  
  When you live authentically, you may find that you develop an interconnected sense of being. When you are true to who you are, living your purpose and giving of your talents to the world around you, you give back in service what you came to share with others -your spirit - your essence. The rewards for sharing your gift with those close to you are indeed rewarding, much more so if it's reflected in the eyes of a stranger who just appreciated what you have done for them.
  
  
  

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