Do you have a few self-improvement projects floating around in the back of your mind? If so, you are like millions of other adults who feel that something is missing from their lives. The urge to make your mind or body or life better is not about falling short. On the contrary, it's part of the natural human need to reach higher and seek personal advancement.

The beauty of taking on such challenges is that the variety of choices is virtually endless. Depending on your personality, preferences, and what's available in your local community, you can select from a long list of activities. Some sign up for community service projects while others aim for a college degree, learn how to reduce their stress levels, attend continuing education classes, or create a lifetime reading list. Here are some of the most popular choices for active adults who make the decision to better themselves.

Sign Up for Community Volunteer Projects

How does volunteering help you improve your own life? In addition to feeling great about the simple act of helping others, most volunteers learn valuable skills from the projects they take on, like building homes, teaching literacy classes, and raising funds for specific causes. Many job seekers connect with charitable organizations in order to sharpen their interpersonal skills, acquire basic carpentry skills, and demonstrate their dedication to community service.

Get a College Degree

Earning a college degree, and paying for it, can be extremely empowering. Plus, adding a four-year diploma to your wall is more than just a feel-good chore. It's a way to bolster earning power and career opportunities. Consider opting for an all-online program if you need to stay home and take care of children or are unable to make a daily commute to the local campus. To cover all the expenses, private lenders are an ideal choice. Not only do they offer student loans for people of all ages and abilities, but their loans come with competitive interest rates, repayment terms that make sense for any budget, and a simple application process.

Learn to Deal with Stress

One of the simplest and most rewarding ways to make everyday life more enjoyable is to learn how to reduce stress. Fortunately, there are lots of no-cost and inexpensive options, including yoga classes, online stress reduction tutorials, meditation seminars, and books that explain a step-by-step process for minimizing mental stress and anxiety.

Enroll in Continuing Ed Classes

Check online and at local schools to see what kinds of continuing education courses are open. Most community colleges offer in-person and online instruction in dozens of different areas, like a foreign language, math, personal finance, auto repair, and many more.

Make a Lifetime Reading List

Take a few hours to make a list of books you have always wanted to read but never had time for. A good way to begin is by doing a search under your favorite subjects on one of the major bookseller websites. Before long, you'll have a list of 20 or more titles. Don't purchase them all at once. Instead, make a long-term calendar that includes start and end dates for each book.