In a world of overly marketed quick fixes, self-improvement audio series, books, seminars and miracle products galore, it’s little wonder that the majority of those in search of real self-improvement become quickly overwhelmed amid the sheer volume of choices available to them. And yet, a practical, time-tested guide for self-improvement may be closer, less expensive and much more easy to apply than you may think.

As is often the case in our fast paced, modern society of thirty second sound bites and thirty millions dollar advertising campaigns, the proven, often perennial wisdom of our past is overshadowed and down trodden under the fanfare surrounding the next world-shattering self-improvement craze. However contrary to what advertisers and gurus alike will tell you about the paths and products they pitch, real self-improvement does not have to be cut, canned, critiqued and categorically commercialized to be truly effective. For generations and indeed for millennia, the essence of self-improvement was to be found within the Noble Virtues.

Self-improvement is the result of work you, the individual (not some other person, product or thing) put into or apply to yourself to increase your individual value. This may include but is certainly not limited to improving your health, character, communication skills, work ethic, coping mechanisms, memory or self awareness. The result of which can be an increase in self-perception, self-esteem, attitude and/or an overall feeling of accomplishment and personal satisfaction.

Within the Noble Virtues one will not find the often black and white, fly or die advise of profit-motivated professionals and fast talking fad consultants, but more of a tool for individual interpretation and application. And although this may at first seem a bit counter intuitive for someone in search of some solid advise or a definitive direction with which to begin their transformation, in the end, as with so many modifications we attempt to make in our individual lives, the information we learn, incorporate and make our own is much better served and more effective than the rules and recommendations we force upon ourselves that in the end, often result in frustration, disappointment or failure.

Allow me to give you a few examples of how you can incorporate the Noble Virtues into an action plan for self-improvement. First example. We all know what is required to loose excess body weight. Eat less food and get more exercise. Applying the virtues of Courage to take a stand for your health and really begin a weight loss plan coupled with Discipline, to cut out the snacks, reduce the serving sizes you eat and get out and walk briskly 4 times a week, you can empower the information you already have and successfully loose weight. Second example.

If you would like to increase your work performance, you can put Industriousness to work in focusing on processes to make your work more efficient for your employer or yourself if you are self-employed, and Self-reliance to stop relying on other persons around you for solutions that you may be better equipped to create and share with coworkers. So as you can see, the applications of the Noble Virtues are only limited by your knowledge of them and what you choose to apply them too. And the more familiar you become with the virtues, the more quickly you will make gains in any area of self-improvement you choose to take on.

So without any further introduction, here are the nine Noble Virtues for your review:

1 Honor – a feeling of inner value derived from a noble sense of character and the desire to show respect for that quality when found in another. Honor is the highest standard of behavior and the mark of integrity.

2 Truth – to be forthcoming and honest with others at all times despite retribution or reprisal; to say what one knows to be true and right. It is better to say nothing, if one cannot speak the truth.

3 Courage – the capacity to confront fear, pain, danger, intimidation and uncertainty in the face of failure, discouragement or death, and to do what must be done. Courage separates the worthy from the unwilling. Without courage, nothing great can be accomplished.

4 Fidelity – to be loyal to your source and true to your values without limitation. To express an unwavering devotion and a clear commitment to your duty, family, leader and god. Fidelity is the foundation of faith and the cornerstone of trust.

5 Discipline – the ability to be hard on oneself first, and then on others if need be, in order that a greater purpose may be achieved. An orderly pattern of self-control, discipline corrects, molds and perfects the body and the mind. There is no substitute for leading by example.

6 Hospitality – the willingness to share what one has with others and to graciously receive guests, visitors and strangers with kindness and goodwill. Hospitality strengthens the bonds of friendship and nurtures community.

7 Industriousness – the capacity to work hard towards your goals, characterized by a steadfast, energetic effort to be productive without waste. Efficiency is the life-blood of innovation. Hard work is the harbinger of success.

8 Self-reliance – the true spirit of independence, relying on one’s own efforts and abilities to achieve what is good not only for the individual but also for the group. Trust in yourself, for god will not have his work done by cowards.

9 Perseverance – the ability to stay the course and pursue your dream with dogged conviction in spite of setback, opposition, discouragement or defeat. The hero will prevail despite failure; the road to success was not paved by the weak.

You can achieve continual self-improvement utilizing the Noble Virtues. You can set the course for your individual development with this resource in hand and put the “self,” back into self-improvement without purchasing a shelf full of books or a closet full of products. Apply the Noble Virtues in your quest for personal development and you shall find the rewards of self-improvement rightfully yours.