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Spring is a time of newness and growth, a time for cleaning out the cobwebs and making everything fresh again. So often we do this with our homes and gardens, but spring is also a very good time to take an inventory of ourselves, and check the progress we've made toward becoming that person we'd each like to be; to "clean the cobwebs" out of our personal and spiritual goals, and make adjustments where they are needed.

Taking a personal inventory may seem like a daunting task, but with a basic strategy and a little creativity, it doesn't have to be. The first step is to decide what it is that you want. (The key to success in this is being precise. "I want to be a better person" is way too vague.) Make a list of all of the attributes you would like to possess.

The next step is to rate yourself (honestly) on a scale of one to ten, in regard to how you are doing currently with each trait. This next step is where the creativity comes in. Come up with various ideas of how to increase your rating with each attribute you have written, and write them next to each one. (The key here is to take little steps; if your ideas are too big or difficult, you will sabotage your chances of success.) One or two ideas per attribute is sufficient. Little changes over time equal longer lasting results.

Next, you will need to find a way to remember to implement your ideas. An effective way to do this is to use what psychologists call discriminative stimuli, or cues. These are things that you place in areas of your home, office, or anywhere you spend a lot of time, that remind you of something. They can be post-it notes, little "doo-dads," pictures clipped from magazines, or anything that serves to remind you of your goals, and your ideas to implement them.

In addition to using cues, journaling may increase your chances at success. All you need for journaling is some paper. You can use a hardbound journal, a spiral notebook, or even just a binder with loose-leaf paper. You may use your journal simply to note your progress on occasion, or you can include your thoughts, feelings, and struggles during your journey to a better you. Checking your progress at regular intervals and making adjustments as needed can make that journey a little smoother, and may help to ensure your overall success.

Another way to help yourself to accomplish the goals you have set is to enlist the help of family or friends. Let them know what you are up to, and ask them to help you to stay on track. Sometimes being accountable to someone else is just the extra nudge needed to keep you working on your goals. It kind of forces you to not let yourself get lazy, which can be extremely easy to do when working on these kinds of things, because they aren't really tangible.

Think of these exercises as "spring cleaning" for your mind and spirit. Just as a home and garden need to be refreshed each spring, our minds and spirits can benefit from the same sort of "freshening up." It can give us the new start we've been searching for, or simply help us to gain a new perspective.

Spring is nature's time of re-growth, of starting again. What better time, then, for all of us to begin anew, to start fresh? Even if your journey to a better you seems too far a distance, it is always worth the effort. Small steps are the key. Remember the Chinese proverb, "A journey of a thousand miles starts with a single step." ...Pleasant journey!

Learn more about this author, Tricia Gordon.
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