September – one grandchild is in college and four are in high school. Each is stepping outside their comfort zone and learning new and useful information and is continually improving oneself. 

It has been years since my formal education. But, should I not be learning new information and improving myself? Of course, I should. Of course, you should. 

September is Self-Improvement Month. This month we should make a conscious effort to improve, to take time to assess how satisfied we are with our current life. The basis for self-improvement is learning. Whether we want to master a new skill, overcome an obstacle, gain a promotion at work or take an introspective look at our spiritual life, we must learn to make that improvement. 

We want to improve physically, mentally and spiritually. And, as we make personal developments in these areas, we discover the core benefits to self-improvement. Benefits of self-awareness, a sense of direction, motivation and greater resilience. 

Self-improvement begins with self-awareness. Get to know who you really are. Become aware of one’s values, beliefs and purpose in life. Once you have self-awareness you find clarity and can pursue your goals. 

Once you have an awareness of yourself you are clearer about the things you wish to accomplish with your life. Decision-making becomes much easier. You have a sense of direction. 

Once you know what you want to achieve, you become motivated to take action. From this motivation comes resilience to difficulties as you strive to improve yourself.

Now is the time to step outside your comfort zone and consider goals that will improve your life. It never is too late to go back to school, to take courses or seminars to improve yourself. As I began writing, I took courses on writing at the community college. To improve my communication skills, I joined a Toastmasters club. 

The path each of us set to improve ourselves is varied. But, as we pursue the goal of self-improvement, we shall find that we are living happier lives with less stress. As George Eliot said, “It is never too late to be who you might have been.”