The self-improvement thread

[Chic Freak]

I was quite inspired by MZ's post over here and was wondering what goals for change other people might have. So: what would you like to change about yourself? To stop this thread becoming an outpouring of self-hatred, keep it to five measurable goals. E.g. "get healthy" or "be a better person" are no good because there's no way of measuring when you've achieved them. Something like "go to the gym twice a week" and "donate £5 to charity every month" would be better, for example Here are mine, off the top of my head: Figure out a way to stop replacing cigarettes with food (I quit smoking 2.5 years ago and gained 12 lb, which I'm still unable to shake off- whenever I diet, I start wanting to smoke again, so then I start eating again to avoid cancer ) Learn to dance- something I've always wanted to be able to do Learn to sing or play guitar- ditto Spend more quality time with Liam, even when I'm really tired from work Career-wise, continue grabbing every opportunity with both hands and don't get too discouraged when I don't always achieve what I wanted to

[krakenslayer]

1. Stop aiming for the bottom all the time 2. Overcome my terror and avoidance of any kind of (work-related) responsibility 3. Be more organised, especially in my studies and financial matters 4. I could possibly do with being more fit - maybe take up swimming or running 5. Finally start writing stories that I actually finish

[mista_mo]

good thread chic, -Finish my high school. The correspondence books are sitting right in front of em, but I can never seem to finish them..i only have one lesson left to get a credit as well ffs. -Get back in shape. After I dislocated my shoulder for the 8th time, I pretty much just stopped goign to the gym or running. Sad really, as I used to be incredibly fit and strong, and all that good stuff. -learn to not care about others opinions. I mean this applies to the little things. IE, I will never play my music without head phones on, for fear of people disliking my musical tastes, etc. -get outside more, and see more daylight. I work nights, so I usually sleep during the day. -learn to play guitar or bass. I've been told i can actually sing pretty well, and I somewhat enjoy it, but that's where my musical talents end. dunno what else to say, but maybe in the post we should include ways of reaching these goals?

[Chic Freak]

dunno what else to say, but maybe in the post we should include ways of reaching these goals? Good point... here are mine again: Figure out a way to stop replacing cigarettes with food (I quit smoking 2.5 years ago and gained 12 lb, which I'm still unable to shake off- whenever I diet, I start wanting to smoke again, so then I start eating again to avoid cancer ) Learn to dance- something I've always wanted to be able to do Learn to sing or play guitar- ditto Spend more quality time with Liam, even when I'm really tired from work Career-wise, continue grabbing every opportunity with both hands and don't get too discouraged when I don't always achieve what I wanted to Don't know. Got my first dance lesson tomorrow! Liam says he'll teach me to play bass... ... which neatly ties in with no. 4 I'd say I'm doing that now really

[ProfessorChaos]

my biggest problem is my lack of direction at the moment. i've got a decent job that pays okay, but i really ought to be doing something more with myself. i had a lot going on last year while away at school, so i dropped all my stresses (girlfriend, shitty part-time job, and all my classes) and moved back to my hometown. while i'm content here, i'm not really satisfied with where i am compared to where i could be. i realize i could be doing a lot worse for myself, but i just feel like i need to do something worthwhile other than work my ass off five days a week. been giving serious thought to going back into the military, either that or going back to school and finishing my degree. so, by this fall, i will either be lining stuff up to get back to active duty in the Marines or will be re-entering the university to attend classes.

[Debbieangel]

1.I would like to be way more organized and throw things away. I have got better at it but I need to do better at it. 2. Get better at my painting,I am a folkart painter and I love it. I am always wanting to do better at it. 3. I dabble in writing I would love to finish a story I have been working on for last 2 years. 4. I want to make a trip to Gettysburg someday. What I love about life is you are never too old to do new things or to better yourself in any way. Cool thread Chic!

[MikePizzoff]

One thing I've wanted to change about myself is getting more in-shape. So, I recently purchased a chin-up bar and have been using it quite frequently. It actually makes me feel better... like less stressed, more confident, and I even feel healthier (somewhat).

[DawnGirl27]

Great thread, Chic! - Go back to college again (graduated with a degree a few years ago, but want to explore new things). Already looking around. - Volunteer with Hospice (my mom used this service and it's wonderful). Will look into this in a month or so. - Not procrastinate so much (should have put this at the top and gotten a head start with it! ). - Do more outside once the snow melts - walking, going to the park - whatever. I can be a homebody very easily without my hubby's gentle prodding (he's an outdoor type). - Finish editing a story I've been working on for a couple years.

[MikePizzoff]

I can be a homebody very easily without my hubby's gentle prodding A little too much information!!!

[krakenslayer]

A little too much information!!!

[Tricky]

1. travel the world,its something i really want to do now,a few years ago i wasnt that bothered as i was far more interested in going clubbing all over the country every weekend,but now even though i still do all the clubbing thing,i would drop it to go travelling for 6 months to a year!quite a few of my old school friends & others i know have done it,and through the magic of facebook ive seen all their photos & realised what im missing out on,and im still young enough to do it & get the most out of it! 2. get better on the guitar,i bought my strat a year ago & its only now im really getting to grips with chords & strumming patterns (ive had no lessons,self taught) so now that i can play songs all the way through, ive passed that painful stage where you feel like your hitting brick walls & you'll never be able to play it now i want to learn power chords & solos! 3. Carry on dealing with this OCD i have & keep on trying to improve my quality of life with it,im far,far better than i was at 22 when it all came to a head,but it still lurks around in my mind & some days manages to take over & drag me down. 4. Give the territorial army a good go!ive wanted to join for years but kept talking myself out of it,but ive been to a few meetings recently & filled out all the medicals,and once ive had my upcoming operation & recovered from it il be able to sign up & start training!It may not be for me,and the inevitable 6 month tour of afghanistan is a scary thought,but i want to at least give it a go for the fitness,adventure & to be able to say ive served my country (plus the extra money will help towards 1. on this list) 5. get into a relationship that lasts longer than a few months!ive had a lot of girlfriends over the years & ok one of them was for 5 years,but ive been hurt a few times & broken a few hearts myself!im not desperate for it,im quite happy single with all the freedom to do what i want,but it would be nice! 6. get my skydive done!it was all planned for Newquay last july but the weather was rubbish so i couldnt do it (i did learn to surf though which was cool) but hopefully i will be doing it in the upcoming months!its one of those things i want to be able to say ive done,and the experience will be awesome!im terrified of looking back when im old & thinking that i missed all these opportunities to live a full life,like quite a few people ive known over the years who are now settled in domestic drudgery,who will never do anything more exciting than the annual holiday to majorca with the wife & kids or whatever

[Chic Freak]

im terrified of looking back when im old & thinking that i missed all these opportunities to live a full life,like quite a few people ive known over the years who are now settled in domestic drudgery,who will never do anything more exciting than the annual holiday to majorca with the wife & kids or whatever You and me both. That is definitely in my top three of most terrifying thoughts!

[DawnGirl27]

A little too much information!!!

[krakenslayer]

im terrified of looking back when im old & thinking that i missed all these opportunities to live a full life You see, that's gonna be me in a few years. I'm only 24, but I can see all the opportunities just soaring past me, yet I don't have the initiative and drive to actually do anything about it. The most depressing thing is that I know when I'm dead I will leave the world no different to how it would have been had I never existed.

[bassman]

1. Just like Chic....I've gained weight and seem to eat a bit more ever since I quit smoking a few years back. 2. I like the sauce. Need to cut back. 3. Not only do I eat too much, but I need to eat things that are a bit more healthy. I'm a huge fan of greasy cheeseburgers. 4. Need to stop cursing so much. Especially now that my daughter is starting to speak.(she said daddy for the first time a few days ago)