Enough of recession, credit crunch and (in the northern hemisphere) coming winter gloom. Lets find out How To spring clean your life with the simple SuperHero Self-Improvement Technique!

Did you know that we can use stories to change the way we think? This has happened since time immemorial when story tellers began to gather around blazing fires inspiring one another with tales of legendary deeds of heroism and valor.

"Not another meaningless, fatuous self-improvement technique!", I hear you saying. Yes I feel like that as well about the self improvement industry. Particularly when you're expected to give up your credit card details up front or buy a glossy book. Rest assured, nothing is being sold here. So why not give it a try? If it floats your boat fine. If not you've lost nothing.

Good parents do the same thing when they read to their kids at bedtime. So what you need to do is take a modern superhero character, Superman, for example, and use the story to inspire yourself and, at the same time, introduce positive change into your life.

Let's use the story of Superman to guide us through 3 simple steps that will turn you from ordinary boy/girl next door into a Man or Woman of Steel. If you prefer a female role model then why not use Diana Prince from the old TV series and her transformation into Wonder Woman? The 3 steps are as follows:

1. Clark and Transformation
2. Kryptonite
3. Super Powers

The majority of us are stuck with personas and personalities that we are not particulalry happy with. We are trapped in Clark Kent bodies, feeling uncomfortable with the way we are and how we look. Even those who appear outwardly beautiful to others often suffer from a poor self-image. Sounds familiar?

Well here is something simple that you can do that will improve your self-esteem and change your life for ever. Today, give yourself a secret identity. The world may see you as Clark Kent but from now on you have a super alter-ego.

Even thought you may not believe it yet, the reality is you will be able to transform from Clark Kent into Superman or Superwoman! Here are three things to do make it happen.

A) Reflect. First, find somewhere quiet where you can be alone for a while. Reflect on how you see yourself. What do you like or admire about you and what don’t you like? You might find it helpful to make some notes in a notebook. You could divide the page into 2 columns and write the heading Like in one column and Don’t Like in the other.

B) Imagine. Don’t be discouraged if the Like column seems relatively small. Next, begin to imagine how you want to be. If you see yourself as fearful or afraid, picture yourself as confident and fearless. Bit by bit build up a picture of who you’d like to be. Construct an image of your super-self and imagine yourself transformed into the new super-you.

C) Transformation. Finally, practice transforming yourself into this super-persona. Imagine your Clark Kent self in time of crisis, rushing into a phonebox and ripping off the outer clothes to reveal the New Man or Woman of Steel.

If the phone box doesn't work for you (its a bit dated now!) then why not transform, Wonder Woman style, with the Diana Prince magic spin from the old TV series?

Coping Strategies (dealing with Weaknesses and Threats)

Even Superman has an Achilles Heal. His weakness is Kryptonite. Review your own weaknesses. What brings you down. Could it be anger or rage? Or are you addicted to unhelpful things? Is it alcohol or drugs that let you down? Is it poor physical health or a mental illness? Depression maybe?

Some of these things you can beat. Some of them you are stuck with. What you need are Coping Strategies. You can’t overcome them all any more than Superman can beat Kryptonite.

Incidentally, even Superman typically fails on Step 2 – Everything is going well for him until some criminal and all round bad guy shows up with a bag stuffed with Kryptonite.

"Gosh, I never saw that coming!" Exclaims Superman.

You see Superman hasn't developed a coping strategy for Kryptonite. Perhaps he should invest some time to rid the Earth of all Kryptonite so he is free to save the world without hinderance from his enemies?

So far, you've convinced yourself you can morph into Superman when the need arises. You've dealt with the Kryptonite in your life. Now its time for Step 3 and the unleashing of those latent Super Powers!

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it's Superman!

We Clark Kents are trapped where we stand in our frail bodies. But if we transform into Superman we can fly! We can mentally soar into the clouds and see our lives in a fresh perspective.

Why not use Google Earth or a similar online mapping package to help you imagine flying over where you live? See your surroundings from on high. Begin to develop a greater Vision for your life. Dare to imagine what your future possibilities might be.

Like Superman allow you senses to be enhanced. Begin to see the world differently. Spend more time listening to people. Try to understand what motivates them and why they behave as they do.

Next begin to develop Super-Strength. This doesn't mean literally being physically stronger but being more determined to succeed. Think positively. Convince yourself you can do things that the old you could never manage. Give yourself the freedom and confidence to begin to change the world.

These are extraordinary times of change and challenge that call for extraordinary people. It is time to transform yourself from ordinary Clark Kent to a Superhero. It costs nothing. Its all in the mind! So let your imagination do the hard work!

If you follow these three steps I can't promise you Lois Lane (Kate Bosworth in the recent movie) but I can promise you'll feel better about yourself, better about your role in the world and more positive about the future.

Click here for more on the original TV Wonder Woman.