Have you ever noticed that some have "it" and some don't? It comes easy to some and never for others just doesn't seem fair.I can tell you that the only reason self improvement doesn't work for everyone is that they are trying to change from the outside in.
You must work on everything that is inside you so that the reflection to the outside world align with who you really are. Not your lifelong conditioning or someone elses belief system.
This is very hard work but you must do it to have the life you really want for yourself. Many people have come from nothing or less and created lives of success, wealth, peace and ease.
This principle is called the "Law of Corespondence", as within, so without. All great teachers (including Jesus) talk about this, it is the golden thread.
If you want to know more about this, just Google these terms and begin a lifelong search that you will enjoy each and every day. Have fun!!!