Becoming Self Aware

The great majority of individuals possess the physical abilities to succeed, however a lot lack emotional or cognitive skills. When someone's self esteem grows their emotional IQ or EQ and readiness to make serious changes also increases.

Cognitive Restructuring has the ability to help those who are suffering from the following issues: * Sadness * Phobias * Childhood abuse * Lack of goals * Loneliness * Broken relationships * Lack of hope * Procrastination * Fear * Illness * Decision making * Worry * Compulsions * Self betrayal * Depression * Coping * Hate/vengeance * Stress * Rejection * Self control *Anger * Self esteem * Divorce * Lack of empathy * Suicide * Co dependency * Drug addiction * Failing grades *Alcohol addiction * Eating disorders

The first and most vital step to take to overcome these issues and the highest hurdle is self deception. Those who live in the box of self-deception constantly blame those around them for their many problems. People don't understand that the biggest problem they have to overcome in life is themselves. If you are not happy or successful is it your fault? Below are six steps that are a must for self-improvement. No shortcuts exists and the steps must be done in order. The most successful tool to help people leave the old damaging behaviors behind is Manualized Cognitive Restructuring . This has the ability to help individuals overcome thinking errors and behaviors.

One of the psychological dissimilarities between humans and animals is that humans are capable of being self aware. That is, they know how to step back from themselves, see and accept their faults and shortcomings. With self awareness humans can become better and change their lives. Improving habits, thoughts, values and behavior is a difficult thing to do. For instance, if you want to transform a hardened criminal into an upright citizen the change has to come from within the criminal. Criminals must accept responsibility for their behavior. If they stay in denial they can never improve. To successfully help criminal offenders, you must first help them become self-aware. This process is called reality therapy. You cannot compel people to become better but you can compel them to become self-aware. Self-awareness is the first step in changing criminal offenders into good citizens. Observe the following steps to make a complete change. There are no shortcuts.

Step #1- AWARENESS Self-awareness is the very first step in becoming better. You must admit your faults. You can't change who you are without becoming self-aware.

Step #2- DESIRE If you do not want to improve, you won't. You have free will and, therefore, cannot be compelled. You have freedom to choose. It is completely up to you; it's your choice. No desire,no change.

Step #3- ATTITUDE If you are aware of your faults and want to become better you'll subconciously lift your attitude. It is your choice.

Step #4- SKILL Although they are vital, self-awareness, desire and a positive attitude aren't quite enough; you must also develop the skills and knowledge of how to change, wanting to is not enough.

Step #5- BEHAVIOR Master steps one through four and you're ready physically to do what's necessary. Follow them for ninety days and they will be a habit. Follow them for one year and they will become a part of you.

Step #6- SUBCONCIOUS When you acquire a habit, it becomes automatic. You do not even have to think about it anymore; you've changed. Great!

If you keep on doing what you have been doing, you will keep on getting what you have been getting. If you desire to change what you have been getting, you are required to change what you've been doing. The very first step in changing bad habits is to defeat denial, bad scripting and faulty thinking... The only way to achieve this is through following the above 6 steps.

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Larry Lloyd is the founder of American Community Corrections Institute (ACCI), which sponsors a news blog on the subject of anger management and related issues.