I spent ten years writing about self-improvement. I wrote more than a thousand essays and a dozen books. And as I wrote, I tried to walk my talk.

What I discovered is this: It is very difficult to change one’s behavior.

Most people don’t admit (even to themselves) that they need to change. These people are usually very good at pointing out why other people should.

Some people know they should change but never even try. The best of them have a sense of humor about it.

Others know they should change and try mightily to do so but fail. I haven’t figured out whether these people should be admired or ridiculed.

A very small number of people decide to change and then do. Or perhaps I should say that they identify one thing about themselves that needs changing and make that change. Whenever I encounter someone who has changed some fundamental quality or habit I am very impressed.