I Appear to lost figure how many times I have read and heard of fame marriages failing almost left and right. Not that I care (and personally I don’t), it looks odd that we frequently see movie and TV stars as perfect people, living the fairytale life of riches and glamour. I guess we all have to stop sticking our heads in the clouds and face reality.

There are numerous ways to miss your sense of dignity in spite of of how trivial it could get. But whatever occurs, we should all try not to lose our own sense of self.

So what does it take to be a cut above the rest? Here are some of the matters you can think and ameliorate on that should be sufficient for a week.

1. Recognise your aim
Are you wandering through life with little focus – desiring that you’ll find happiness, wellness and prosperity? Identify your life purpose or mission statement and you will have your own unique compass that will lead you to your truth north every time.

This may appear artful at first when you see yourself to be in a close or even dead end. But there’s always that little loophole to turn things around and you can make a big difference to yourself.

2. Know your values
What do you value most? Make a list of your top 5 values. Some examples are security, freedom, family, spiritual development, learning. As you set your goals for 2008 – check your goals against your values. If the goal doesn’t align with any of your top five values – you may want to reconsider it or revise it.
The number should not admonish you, instead it should incite you to do more than you can ever dreamed of.

3. understand your needs
Unmet needs can keep you from living authentically. Take care of yourself. Do you have a need to be acknowledged, to be right, to be in control, to be loved? 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!

4. Know your passions
You know who you are and what you really enjoy in life. Obstacles like doubt and lack of enthusiasm will only hinder you, but will not jump your chance to become the person you should to be. Express yourself and honor the people who has inspired you to become the very person you wanted to be.

5. Live from the inside out
Growth your awareness of your inner wisdom by regularly reflecting in silence. Communicate with nature. Breathe deeply to quiet your distracted mind. For most of us city slickers it’s hard to even find the peace and quiet we want even in our own home. In my case I often just sit in a dimly lit room and play some classical music. There’s sound, yes, but music does soothe the savage beast.

6. Honor your strengths
What are your positive traits? What special talents do you have? List three – if you get stuck, ask those closest to you to help identify these. Are you imaginative, witty, good with your hands? 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.

7. 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 is indeed rewarding, much more if it were to be the eyes of a stranger who can appreciate what you have done to them.

Self-improvement is indeed one type of work that is deserving it. It shouldn’t always be inside the confines of an office building, or maybe in the four corners of your own room. The difference lies within ourselves and how much we want to change for the better.