Consider these self-improvement ideas for tasks to keep you active in February :

1. Call an old friend. If you’ve had a relationship you cared about that ended years ago, have you ever thought about re-connecting with that friend? We all seek to have healthy and enduring friendships. If you think there’s a chance you can revive a relationship you’ve missed, go for it.

2. Spend a Saturday with a parent. When was the last time you spent a whole day with a parent? If you’re like most of us, you haven’t done this much since childhood.

* Maybe you can help your mom clean out her kitchen cabinets or just watch a great movie together. You could ask your dad to come over for a homemade dinner and to spend a day or an evening with you.

3. Learn from an elderly person. Ask them tell you about their life’s work or experiences. As people age, they gain an enormous amount of talent, skill and knowledge. Why not use February as a time to tap into some of that information? You’ll be amazed at what you learn. Plus you’ll bring joy to the person you approach with your questions.

4. Volunteer. Call a local assisted living facility and ask to read stories to or take short walks indoors with the residents during the month of February each year. Knowing that you’ve given of yourself can do your heart good, even if it’s just an hour a week for a month or two.

5. Do a special work project. If you live in a place where the weather’s frigid in February, consider completing a special work project at home. Maybe you’ve tabled some project that requires a lot of extra research that you don’t have time to do at the office. Perhaps it’s a task you’ve wanted to do on your own but isn’t a priority from your supervisor’s standpoint.

* At any rate, utilize a couple of hours each week to immerse yourself in a work project that you’re interested in completing. Finishing the project will help you feel more emotionally attached to your work and remind you why you do the job you do.

6. Take a personal physical inventory. Do you ever reflect on your physical condition and appearance? Taking a personal inventory of your health is worth the time and effort.

* First, ask yourself how you’ve been feeling physically. Then, consider your physical appearance. Are you comfortable with the way you look? Is there anything about yourself you’d like to change? Perhaps you’d like to try a new hairstyle or use teeth whiteners to spruce up your appearance. Maybe you just want to lose that last 10 pounds.

For some, February can be a trying month. However, if you take advantage of this time to do some self-improvement activities, March will be here before you know it. And when spring comes, you’ll feel like you’ve already accomplished some of your self-improvement goals for the year.

 photo credit: alancleaver_2000

Whether you keep a consistent daily journal, an occasional journal, or simply jot notes to yourself when ideas come to you, this technique can have powerful implications in helping you attain your goals.

Making Things Happen

Putting your goals, thoughts, hopes, and dreams on paper can help you actualize what matters to you most. Bring your goals and dreams to life by writing them down. Read them as often as you can to focus your mind on living the life you desire.

Try these journaling strategies to help bring all your self-improvement goals to fruition:

• Write quickly and passionately. Let the ideas flow onto the paper without dwelling on one thing for too long. Writing in this manner will allow your goals, dreams and wishes to flow out freely beyond what you thought possible!
  Try setting a time goal and writing freely without pause until the period ends. Once you’re finished, you may be surprised with what you’ve written and gain new insight and understanding from this activity.
• Write consistently. You may not be an everyday writer, but formulate a routine to keep your journal flowing. When you write on a daily or weekly basis, you’ll find a greater consistency to your thoughts and reflections.
• Set goals and reflect on them. Outline your most important self-improvement goals when you begin your journaling experience. Reflect on them often to determine whether or not you’re taking active steps toward achieving them.
• Be honest. You can be completely honest in your journal because no one else will read it but you. Share your secrets, dreams, and desires – even the ones you cannot share with anyone else. Use your journal as a sounding board, and never sacrifice honesty for any reason.
• Ask yourself tough questions. Self-reflection is an important aspect of self-improvement, and your journal can aid significantly in the reflection process. Ask yourself questions about where you’re at in life and where you want to be so you can brainstorm the necessary steps in the self-improvement process.
• Refer back to your past writing regularly. When you have a bad day, look at your positive writing to ease your thoughts. When you feel lost or unsure about yourself, look back over your goals and insights to find guidance.
  There’s a wealth of vital information in your journal if you use it consistently, and you can turn back to this information to show you where to go next.
• Choose a journal that’s right for you. Select a journal that resonates within you, something that you feel comfortable and confident writing in. You can purchase a journal from a bookstore, create your own, or simply collect loose pages in a binder. The right journal will inspire you to use it.

Simply putting your thoughts down on paper can help you realize your dreams and focus your attention on what truly matters in your life. Strive to write in your journal as often as you need, and refer back to what you write to help you keep those goals in mind. Journaling is a powerful tool, but is only effective when you’re willing to put your passion into it.

photo credit: adpowers

Looking for a great way to improve your life? Summer provides the perfect time to rekindle the flames of the dreams you want to pursue. The longer days and greater sunlight provide a cheerful setting for personal growth.

Whether you enjoy the surf and sand of the beach, hiking in nature, or some other physical activity, remember to balance it with mental stimulation as well. If you do, you’ll experience the balance and fulfillment that you crave.

Personal improvement means different things to different people. Everyone is in a particular physical and emotional place that is unlike the personal experience of anyone else. Search within yourself to find out what’s most important to you. Only you can determine what’s best for you as you chase joy this summer.

For some, the most pressing issue is physical health and well-being. A healthy body fuels you with the energy and vitality necessary for improvement in other areas. For others, improving the mind or developing spiritually may be the focus of the summer season.

Warmth and Personal Improvement

Summer is the perfect time for renewal and development. Summer also presents the chance to connect with others. Swimming, beach volleyball, or a brisk jog in nature can expand your physical capability while sharpening your mind. The extra vitamin D from the sunlight may enhance your mood by making you feel more cheerful.

Make the most of summertime. Nourish your soul under the warm sun and draw close to those you love the most. Take the time to appreciate what others bring into your life. Create lasting memories with conversation around a campfire exploring the topics that are most important to you.

With longer days often comes more activity. Remember to take time to reflect on the direction of your life. Think about how to best use your time to accomplish the objectives that are close to your heart this summer. Take a step back from the excitement and activity around you for some soul-inspiring self-reflection.

More Light Offers More Choices

The summertime, with its brighter daylight and longer days, presents more opportunities for improving yourself. You feel like you have more time to get things accomplished. Often, you have more energy and motivation during this time. If you’ve been planning changes but haven’t gotten to the starting line, summer provides a sweet occasion for a fresh start.

If you’re unsure about where to begin, consider these ideas for summer self-improvement:

• Begin or renew an outdoor exercise routine that you enjoy.

• Walk in nature to stimulate your imagination and enhance your mood.

• Paint or sculpt a beautiful piece of art.

• Start and maintain a garden.

• Read a book in a comfortable lounge chair or hammock.

There are many ways you can feel better about yourself and improve your life. Take a course to learn something new. Exercise. Connect with others in stimulating conversation. Or attend a religious service. Focus on the future you desire and begin to create that future this summer. As the days get brighter, a few small, positive steps can make your outlook on life brighter, too!