One of the hardest things about self-improvement is getting used to the idea of people treating you differently than you've been treated in the past.
All our lives, certain characteristics stick with us.
Many change, but many stay the same - some are good, some are bad.
When you're used to being the "dork" or the "funny guy" or the "athlete" or whatever it may be, it can take a lot of effort to change other people's perceptions of you...
even in college, even when you're away from everyone you've ever known in the past, these ideas often follow you around, and usually most of it is in your own head.
So when you want to change, it can be difficult - there might be a little voice in the back of your head, whispering evil things...
"no, you aren't that guy, you're this guy...
you aren't the funny guy, you're the smart guy!" etc...
whatever it may be.
You might not even be conscious of it at first.
If you let these little voices get the best of you, you'll never be able to improve as a person.
You'll always be stuck in that same spot you were always in.
The next time you want to make a change in your life, talk to yourself first.
You and your self-conscious are on the same team after all, it's just that you speak and learn in different ways.
Close your eyes and pretend like you're having a sit-down conversation with your self-conscious.
Tell him what you'd like to change, and how you're going to do it.
Visualize yourself doing those things while breathing deeply and being fully relaxed.
Enjoy yourself - this should feel good.
It doesn't have to be anything intense.
Give yourself permission to be the person you'd really like to be.
Tell yourself how it's going to benefit you to make the change you're looking for, and say "I fully accept myself for who I am and who I will become in the near future.
I give myself permission to [insert change or action you'd like to accomplish.
]" It's crucial to allow yourself to become the person you want to be.