Problem: Article: . Once you have clarified the areas that require improvement, focus on goal-setting. Grab a pen and notebook. Head each piece of paper with a specific goal - personal and professional. Then, write down several action steps you must take to reach the goal. Finally, set a feasible deadline that is attainable but still challenges you. For example, you may have a goal to pay down debt. This goal may incorporate several strategies, such as paying more than the minimum monthly payment towards debt, refraining from creating any new debt, and negotiating lower interest rates on credit cards or revolving accounts. Bad habits prevent us from fully reaching our potential. Some of them are more serious, such as drinking or smoking. Others are just bothersome to, like procrastinating or making weird noises. The best way to break a bad habit is to replace it with a more healthier, adaptive alternative. Think about some of your bad habits. When do you engage in them? What triggers the habit? What purpose do they serve? For example, you may have the habit of procrastinating, but only when you feel overwhelmed or stressed. You feel bogged down by everything, so you put it all off and do nothing. You can replace this bad habit with healthier stress management strategies such as learning to manage time better, or relieving stress through exercise or meditation. You don't have to wait until you reach goals or break bad habits to move closer to being your ideal self. Whether you want to get a promotion at work or gain membership into an elite organization, learn to look and act the role you desire to play. Looking and acting the part can translate to dressing like the people who already have the position you want to obtain. You may also strive to maintain a more professional demeanor in your interactions with others. On an ongoing basis, you should take a step back and examine your progress towards reaching your goals and building better habits. If you are not satisfied with the changes you have made, go back to the drawing board and create new goals to work towards.
Summary: Set realistic goals Replace bad habits with good ones. Act the part. Reassess yourself regularly.

Problem: Article: Most anal fissures heal on their own with 4 to 6 weeks. If your anal fissures does not heal within this timeframe, and does not seem to improve with use of medication, your doctor might recommend surgery. The standard surgery to treat an anal fissures involves cutting a portion of the sphincter muscle. This helps relax the bowels, helping the fissure heal. Surgery has a high success rate, with over 90% of fissures clearing up after the procedure. Your doctor will talk to you about how to prepare for your surgery. Follow all her instructions and do not hesitate to ask any questions if something confuses you. You will probably be asked not to eat or drink anything after midnight the day before your surgery. Your doctor will tell you what medications you should and should not take prior to the operation, including any herbal supplements or over the counter sleep aids. Bowel prep is common in anal fissure surgery. You may be given an enema or laxatives prior to the operation. Anal fissure surgery is a same day procedure. This means, assuming there are no complications, you will leave the hospital the same day you had the procedure done. Your doctor will give you instructions on how to recover from the operation. Normal activity can be resumed shortly after surgery, but it should be gradual. Make sure you walk the night after surgery, as this lessens the risk of blood clots, which can be potentially life threatening. Depending on the type of surgery, you should not return to work for 1 to 4 weeks. Avoid driving until you're done taking pain medications. Your surgery will leave a wound in the rectal area that needs treatment. Keep the wound clean and dry and take sitz baths baths 3 times a day. Bloody drainage will occur for a few days following the surgery, so the wound should be sealed with gauze.
Summary:
Know why surgery might be needed. Prepare for your surgery. Recover from surgery.