Introspection

We are entering a difficult time of year. The theme that we will be hearing over and over again, is the need to do Teshuva, return to G-d.
It does seem kind of redundant because we hear this year after year. Yet, we are supposed to find it within ourselves to try to do better, and sincerely ask for forgiveness for our transgressions.
The Rambam has a little bit different approach to this Teshuva situation. He emphasizes a different aspect of this Mitzva. Instead of focusing how we have sinned against man and G-d, we should focus on ourselves.
The introspection that we need to do is about our own character flaws. Just as we need to do Teshuva for wrongful actions, we need to repent for our own shortcomings.
The Rambam gives examples of such flaws. We must overcome our tendency towards anger and jealousy. We must correct the strong feelings of hatred that we might have for our fellow Jew.
We should overcome the desire for honor, and the accumulation of money, and our lust for food and physical pleasures.
We need to work on these character flaws first, for if we overcome them, the actual sins will fall away as well.
We are always meant to be in a state where we are working at self improvement. This stays with us until we leave this world. HaShem gives us the High Holidays, also known as the Days of Awe, so that we are awakened a little bit more and our awareness for the need to do Teshuva is that much stronger. No matter how great the individual, there is always room to being even better.