When you look at an object, a painting for example, you really can't appreciate it if it's just an inch away from your face. But if you stand back and look carefully you'll have a clearer vision of the entire painting.

Most of us reach a point in our life when we are ready for change and for information that will help us unlock our self improvement power. Until then, something can be staring us right in the face but we don't see it. Often, the only time we think of unlocking our self improvement power is when life gets really untenable. Take the frog principle for example --

Place Frog A in a pot of boiling water. What happens? He twerps! He jumps out! Why? Because he is not able to tolerate sudden change in his environment -- the water's temperature. Then put Frog B in lukewarm water, and turn the heat on. Wait until the water reaches the boiling point. Frog B then thinks "Ooh, it's a bit warm in here" (unless he's too cooked to think).

Generally people are like Frog B. We learn our lessons when we experience difficulty. We finally see the warning signs and signals when we really don'y like what's going on. When do we realize that we really need to go on a diet? When none of our pants and shirts fit us. When do we realize that we need to stop smoking? When we have difficulty breathing. When do we pray and ask for help? When we feel overwhelmed.

The only time most of us ever learn about unlocking our self improvement power is when our world is crashing in around us. We think and feel this way because it's not easy to change, but change becomes more painful when we ignore or choose not to see the need for it.

Change will happen, like it or not. At one point or another, we are all going to experience turning points in our life -- and we are all going to eventually unlock our self improvement power, not because the world says so, not because our friends are nagging us, but because we realize it's in out own best interest.

Happy people don't just accept change, they embrace it. You don't have to be in a terrible situation before you realize the need for self improvement. Unlocking your self improvement power means unlocking your mind from the thought "That's just the way I am". That's a poor excuse for people who fear and resist change, and it's an indication that most of us program our minds like computers. Guess what. You can reprogram yourself.

Self improvement may not be everybody's favorite word, but if you look at things from a different point of view, you will a have greater chance of enjoying the whole process of change instead of counting the days until you are "perfect.". Break the change down into small steps.

• Three sessions a week at the gym will shape a healthier body.
• Reading good books instead of watching TV will result in a healthier mind.
• Going out with friends and peers will help you unwind and create a healthier spirit.

And just when you notice you are enjoying the whole process of unlocking your self improvement power, you'll realize that you're beginning to take things more lightly and that you feel happier. What a wonderful gift to give yourself! And, yes, you are a work of art in progress.

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