I'm not ashamed to say I love home improvement shows. In fact, it is the basis for my next novel. What is it about these shows that people like me find appealing? I had to think about it and when I did I believe I found something that applies to more than just fixing up a home.
These shows usually start out with something that is run down and need of repair. The home is in bad shape, looks depressed, and isn't living up to its full potential. Hmmmmm, that sounds like some people we know. What if we applied the same principles of home renovation to our lives.
First, we must believe the home / person is worth working on. It has potential. That gives us confidence to go forward. Next we revision it and imagine all it can be. We'll need plans of how to make it happen. Then the work begins—usually with demo day. We get rid of things that aren't working or worth keeping. Once everything that isn't staying is removed we get a better idea of what we have to work with.
You see where I'm going with this. As we rebuild a home (and a life) we do it in stages with one step after another. For the reality shows there is a time crunch to make it interesting. It helps if we have a deadline (an event or target with a fixed date we are preparing for). As we go we have minor victories along the way, as well as setbacks, but we forge on. The best part of the show is the big reveal—the before and after. If we follow the same model; demo, imagine, plan, rebuild, and celebrate the end result, we can create a new self that looks better (well dressed, groomed, and organized), feels better (thinner, fitter, healthier, and happier), and is better (renewed, respected, and confident).
