Working on yourself can be one of the great challenges of your life. Knowing that you have things to change, and admitting it, can be the start to a wonderful journey of self-discovery that can last a lifetime. Here are a few self help tips to get you started on that journey

It is a psychological fact that we gradually become more and more like that which we look upon continually. In other words, your obsession soon becomes your reality. If you allow yourself to dwell on your failures and depressions, the chains binding you will only grow firmer and tighter. If you dwell on future success, however–and capable role models–you can transform into the person you want to be. Mindset is crucial to success.

A great self help tip that can help you change your life is to buy a pet. Getting a cat or a dog can do wonders for you stress levels. The simple act of petting a dog can greatly reduce your stress. Having a pet is beneficial for you and for them.

A great self help tip that can help you change your life is to start breathing right. A lot of people make the mistake of breathing short, fast breaths. Breathing like this will make you anxious. Try to focus on taking in deeper breaths in order to be more relaxed.

Listen to your own prayers when times get tough. Many people say a prayer asking for help or direction, but reflecting upon your prayers and listening to your own inner guide is just as important. We each have different personality facets that live within us, and often times, we already know the right answer but one part of us resists acknowledging it.

Don’t ever be afraid to ask for help with your work. This can be very difficult if you are a person who has become used to doing everything themselves, but you need to learn to reach out and work with others. This is especially true if you work in a field that thrives on collaboration for group projects. You would be surprised at how much your group can get done.

Distract yourself. If you are feeling overwhelmed and anxious, try to distract yourself from your problem. If there is nothing you can do about what is bothering you, obsessing is just going to make it worse. Instead, try to shift your attention to something interesting that you can actually enjoy.

Find a champion to help you stay engaged and to encourage you when you struggle. Your champion could be someone close to you in your personal life, a professional development coach or a trusted mentor at work. The idea of this tip is to make sure you have a strong support mechanism in place to help you stay focused and engaged in your personal development goals.

Self-help tips can never be complete; there is so much to think about. But knowing that you’re on the right road can be an enormous comfort. Be gentle but honest with yourself, and you’ll start to expand your knowledge of the one person you spend the most time with: yourself.