Written by: Danielle Nutter
Does Your Personal Inventory Show Improvement
Throughout your self-healing makeover, keeping a journal can be helpful. From time to time, it is an excellent practice to reread entries to see if you are moving forward or still stuck on an unresolved issue. Reviewing your recorded notes is also a great way to spot breakthroughs and setbacks because it is easy to retreat into old habits. Use your personalized checklist as a motivating resource to keep improving and track how far you have come from step one.
My Battle With Keeping A Personal Inventory
I had to make bold and risky decisions to get to where I am now! I had no plan, just a ‘sense’ of how I wanted to live the rest of my life. And to this day, I have allowed that ‘sense’ to guide me. That same ‘sense’ alerts my consciousness when I am on the right track and when I am not. The first time I checked my inventory, I was proud to see that I had accomplished several things from my list that I wanted to change. Even though making those changes caused some after-effects, I was pleased with my focus and new direction.
When I first wrote down my goals, I was sure the list was too long and would be challenging. But seeing my improvements gave me a jolt of inspiration to keep pushing forward. It has also allowed me to realize that I can acknowledge and deal with my actions instead of letting my feelings dominate me.
Step 10: Continue to take personal inventory, and when you are wrong, admit it.
HEAL’N TEES
Heal’n My Personal Inventory
I regularly check my private notes to remind myself of the defects I have mastered and pay attention to those I am working on. Years later, I continue to revisit my list to check off the ones I am doing better with and add new issues I observe during self-reflection. Even though I have corrected most of my imperfections, I still have to manage my behavior and how I react to certain situations that trigger my faults. The fault that took the longest to overcome is:
Fault #4: My heart is the weakest part of me. I chase and attach to others to feel loved. I am too hasty with commitment.
I am STILL trying to get it under control. Shortly after my break-up, I had my first encounter with someone I was willing to accept affection from. Almost immediately, I was all in. Weeks later, I realized she was not a good match for me. Again, I was brokenhearted. Why? Because I was chasing a feeling and the person that gave it to me. Searching for love outside myself was the most complex fault to strengthen.
Was it the other person’s fault? No! I was disappointed because I allowed myself to regress to old habits. Eventually, I let go. I gave myself some credit for not continuing to chase her, but at the same time, I was upset that I got sucked in so easily. From that point, I knew I had to continue to work on being more selective with who I decided to give and receive love and redirect the thoughts I feed my mind based on my feelings. My self-improvement is constant and ongoing!
Remember For Your Heal’n
Accept who you are and what you are trying to do. Some faults will be more troublesome to get over than others. If they are too overwhelming, turn them over to God and move forward. Keep a journal to record your thoughts, emotions, and actions that irritate or spark anger, fear, and joy. Stay grounded in your convictions and analyze your efforts. Taking responsibility for how you conduct yourself is essential. No matter how unpleasant someone else is, focus on controlling your actions for those things that bring out the worst in you. Always aim to be the best version of yourself. And, when you slip, because you will, forgive yourself and apologize to others for your mistakes.
Your Two Cents…
How often do you self-examine your character traits? Leave your comment below.