So, once again, when you look in the mirror, what do you see? Realize that you get to be anybody you want to be, you really can design your life. You really have that power. People probably haven’t told you that you have that much power, but it is absolutely true.
Self-esteem is the single most significant key to your behavior. Nathanial Brandon said;
“No factor is more important in people’s psychological development and motivation than the value judgments they make about themselves.”
Every aspect of your life is impacted by the way you see yourself. If you believe you are worthless, then you won’t add value to yourself. Again, you HAVE to add value to yourself and grow in order to add value to people around you.
Low self-esteem puts a ceiling on developing your potential.
If you have a desire to be a ten in something but your self-esteem is a five, you are never going to perform at a level ten. You will only perform at a level five or lower. People are never able to outperform their self-image. As Nathanial Brandon says;
“If you feel inadequate to face challenges unworthy of love and respect, entitled to happiness, and fair assertive thoughts, wants, or needs; if you lack basic self-trust, self-respect, and self-confidence; your self-esteem deficiency will limit you, no matter what other assets you possess.”
You can never outperform your self-image. It’s important you take time to look at who you are and understand your true value. Consider the value of the see of potential you’ve been gifted. If you give that seed a little bit of nurture, you can grow into someone very powerful.
You can grow yourself into someone very powerful; with lots of great ripple effects into your circle of influence. Think of a small pebble, it makes great ripples!
You don’t need to be too concerned about what other people think of you. In fact, what other people think of you is really none of your business. It’s more important that you are concerned with what you think of yourself. Give yourself permission to have thoughts of love and appreciation for yourself. You don’t have to accept negative thoughts from toxic people. Isn’t that wonderful? If you put a value on yourself, the rest of the world will see that same value.
If you want to become the person you have the potential to be, you MUST believe you can. You see if you believe you can be or do something; or if you believe you cannot be or do something, you are right! It takes the same amount of energy to choose healthy thoughts.
Here are a few steps to building your self-image.
- Guard your self-talk. Give yourself affirmations daily.
- Stop comparing yourself with other people. Trust in yourself. Your mission is to become better today than you were yesterday.
- Move beyond your limiting beliefs. We are always going to have hidden beliefs [some we grew up with] stored in our subconscious. It is our responsibility to train ourselves to become aware and conscious of those things that are buried within us and confront them with the truth. We may need helping to do this: as it’s hard to see what’s inside of us. This of a bottle: it’s hard to read the label when you’re inside!
I want you to think about this: It isn’t what you are that will hold you back, it is what you think you’re not.
4. Add value to other people. It’s hard to feel bad about yourself when you are helping other people.
5. Do the right thing even if it’s a hard thing. One of the best ways to build self-esteem is to do what’s right. It gives a sense of satisfaction to you.
6. Practice a specific discipline daily in a small area of your life. I suggest finding a strength you want to develop further and spend some time everyday developing it. Along the way, celebrate the victories. Even the small victories build your self-esteem when you acknowledge them and give yourself credit for all the accomplishments you’re making.
7. Embrace a positive vision for your life based on who and what you value. If you have a positive vision for your life and take action, you will more readily recognize that your life matters. Take action and fulfill a vision for yourself.
8. Practice a one-word strategy. Select one word that best describes you. Once you see the word that describes you best, focus on that word. See yourself living that word and what that looks like fleshed out. What you focus on is what will expand in your life. If you could pick one word, what would it be? Bold, Brave, Courageous? If it’s a positive word, it will help you go in the right direction. If it’s not a positive word, choose another word – a positive word.
9. Take responsibility for your life. We tend to get in life what we are willing to tolerate. If you tolerate other people disrespecting you, you are going to get disrespected. If you tolerate abuse, you are going to get abused. If we think it’s okay to be overworked and underpaid, guess what? You’re going to be overworked and underpaid.
I want to remind you that you do have value, you do matter. Your life can change and you can make a [bigger] difference. I want to encourage you, no matter what traumas you’ve suffered in your life or what mistakes you’ve made, you can learn and grow. You can become the person you have the potential to be. You only need to believe in yourself to get started with action. Every time you take a step, think a positive thought, make a good choice, practice a small discipline; you are moving one step closer. Just keep moving forward and keep believing.
I believe in you. I am offering you a complimentary coaching call with me to explore where your current situation and what’s the next best steps for you: candacemae.com/appointments/
Schedule time with me, I’ll help you find your value and help you keep growing.