I'll also add on that visualizing helps so much in breaking down those conscious barriers the mind has against certain self-improvement you're trying to do. I recently realized this as I was trying it out with a few affirmations on mp3 that I have. When I'd normally listen to them(things like "I'm confident", "People enjoy my opinions"), I'd get a bit irritated, as my mind wouldn't agree with them and I'd feel the resistance. However when I tried out visualizing myself around a lot of people, and having myself act exactly how I wanted to be, that irritated feeling went away. I started enjoying listening to them and believing them.
For getting past resistance, visualization works great.
