Jesus calls us to follow him, become like him, and do what he did. We see the life of a disciple as one of transformation, becoming more like him and less like our old self. This is not simply self-help or self-improvement. For one, we aren't capable of simply willing ourselves to "be better." Secondly, the goal of our spiritual formation is always for the sake of others.
Make no mistake, we are all being shaped (or formed) by someone or something. The people we surround ourselves with, the voices we listen to, the media we ingest, all play a pivotal role in who we are or what we become. Therefore, if we're going to be formed into the image of Jesus, we must listen to him, learn from him, and practice his way of life. This is what brings transformation.