Before you can take the steps towards improving yourself you need to do a bit of self analysis.
Get an understanding of what really makes you tick.
Only by understanding yourself can you truly make positive transitions in your life.
I often meet people who tell me they are really content with their life and the way things are.
This is often the fact because most people find it hard to think of anything else.
However, when they have to answer these questions they often find the real issues at hand that has been holding them back from achieving what they believe to be success.
Here are 10 questions you should ask yourself and honestly answer.
Write them down on a piece of paper or in a pad so you can reflect on them at a later date.
Not only will this help you understand if your transformation is really occurring but it will serve as a reminder why you decided to undertake such a journey.
So what are these questions you should ask yourself before undertaking any self improvement:

1. What do I really want? - You probably have many things you want but what do you want to do with your life? Write it down no matter what it is or how important it is.
   Look at the things you are good at as this may help you realize what you really want to do with your life.
   Consider them as small steps toward your ultimate goal.
   
2. Should I really change? - Take the time to think if you really want to change.
   If you don't really want to change you will be your own enemy toward your success.
   Write down the reasons why you want to change as they will reaffirm you desire.
   These will be very powerful if you digress or lapse in your self-improvement plans.
   
3. What are the positives of improving yourself? - Identify the positive outcomes of improving yourself.
   It can be difficult during your journey of self-improvement if you don't know what to expect when you have achieved them.
   These positives will only help you reenforce your needs and desires to improve yourself.
   
4. Am I comfortable with what I'm doing? - Be honest with yourself.
   If you are comfortable with what you are doing it may be difficult to change.
   Self-improvement is not easy and will require dedication.
   Falling into old habits will be easy and your commitment to your goals will be essential for your success.
   
5. What have I done for myself? - Look at your past and record when you have done something for yourself.
   Mark them as successful or unsuccessful and then write down the reasons why.
   Is there a trend of success or failure? Analyse your responses and identify if your current aspirations to improve yourself is destined for success or failure.
   It may highlight areas to avoid or techniques to reuse.
   
6. Am I happy at where I am today? - Look at yourself and where you are in life.
   Are you where you wanted to be when you where a child? Has your aspirations changed? If you are happy can you still be even better? Imagine what you could be as it is what you can be.
   
7. Am I happy socially? - Review your social life and would you like to change it? How would you like to change it and do you firmly believe it to be possible? This will help you identify what you will need to do should you want to change in this area.
   
8. How much could I have? - Consider what you could have and how much you want.
   This could be money, friends, success or anything else.
   Now consider the work involved in getting this and are you ready to invest yourself towards these aspirations.
   You may need to change the amount you want.
   
9. What truly motivates me? - The key to any self-improvement goal is motivation.
   It could be money, food, friendship, love or something else.
   Pick the one that truly motivates you.
   Whatever it is, it will help you define your self-improvement goals to ensure your success.
   Use it as a reward for achieving your goals.
   
10. What makes me tick? - From the other nine questions you should be able to easily describe yourself and what makes you tick as an individual.
    Write this down as your personal statement.
    A description of your true self.
    

Now, you can be anything you want to be and through this self analysis you should have identified if you are ready and really want to change.
Self-improvement is never easy but if you understand yourself it can certainly be easier.
Consider self-improvement to be like climbing a mountain but when you get to the top you know you have achieved something worthwhile.
You must remember that self-improvement is more than just changing yourself but something that you really want.