Put down on paper a list of all your past achievements, regardless of their importance. Analyze each one and try to visualize improvement. A review of past performances conjures courage to attempt other projects. Some of your best achievements have been spontaneous with little or no preparation. This may be a clue to your real power, and an incentive to develop your natural talents.

Make a list of your personal attributes and qualities. It may assist you to answer the following questions: What is my attitude toward myself, toward people, toward God, toward my neighbor, and toward my job? Do I think and act positive? Am I tolerant and considerate to other people? Do I honestly respect the rights and opinions of others? Do I interrupt while others are speaking? Do I tell my affairs to everyone I meet? Do I practice the Golden Rule? Do I permit the whims and fancies of misfortune to deter real issues? Do I realize that little issues may be big ones? Do I monopolize the conversation with a big “I” and a little “you”? Am I arrogant and impudent? Am I honest with myself? Am I persistent and progressive, without being offensive? Am I blown around from opinion to opinion, like a thistle in a windstorm? Do I cultivate habits that make me strong physically, mentally and spiritually? Do I have confidence in my ability? Do I dare to think for myself? Do I dread to act? Do I hesitate, falter, postpone and procrastinate? Do I like to co-operate with others? Do I indulge in gossip? Do I like to work alone? Do I practice the little acts of courtesy in my daily associations? Do I remember to say: “Thank you,” “Pardon me,” “Forgive me,” “I’m sorry,” “Excuse me, please,” and others? Am I willing to live, love and share? Do I covet what others have? Am I envious? Am I jealous? Do I pray and work against selfishness? Conscious attention to the improvement of personal qualities and attributes improves the social and business relationship of any individual and if indulged in, they will distinguish him.

Make a list of your specialized knowledge. In what field are you most proficient? What business offers you the greatest stimulation? Can you lose yourself in what you are doing? Can you present ideas in a scientific plan? Can you make an intelligent blue print of your personal qualifications? Are you versatile? Can you tell wheat from chaff? Do you have a new interest in your job? Do you exercise your imagination?

Do you challenge your own ability? Do you read each day something to provoke thought? Do you cultivate your sense of humor?

Intelligence is the capacity and ability to size up yourself, size up your environment and to organize them into a workable plan that you may share life’s abundance.

Tags: Personal Development