Self Image -- Who is the Real You?

Self Image -- 6 Ways

Self-image is composed of two parts: Part 1 is about how you see yourself. Part 2 is how you believe others see you which can complicate how you see yourself.   As a result, Self-image can be very fluid; it can change with who you are with and where you are at. I like to spend several days on self-image. It is important that people know their character traits (positive or negative) and how they reveal themselves.     The positive traits you can embrace when life throws you a curve; the negative traits you work to replace with something higher. Understanding who you are builds confidence which helps you say no when necessary to people and/or situations.

 

 

How people see themselves come from the words and the actions of the people and places associated with their youth. The words spoken and the actions of people in your life are important and powerful. They become the representation of how a person thinks and feels about themselves. Our thoughts produce feelings. A person’s actions are based on their feelings. Therefore, our thoughts are the most important things we have. The choices we make are fueled by our thoughts. When you understand this concept you will see that what you think of yourself determines what you attract into your life, the things/people that you want. WANT is defined/ based on what you are thinking and feeling. A person’s application of this concept is skill based. It involves recognizing the thoughts and feelings each situation creates, and then the importance of directing those thoughts and feelings in ways that will produce actions that will align to one’s personal goals. This skill helps people set a more accurate and realistic evaluation of who they will become.

 

 

The goal is to develop a realistic and solid view of oneself, which will allow one to withstand life’s bumps and bruises. The old saying, “Pick yourself up and dust yourself off and start all over again” becomes excellent advice. Here are a few more life attitudes to develop:

 

• Wake up grateful and thankful for what you have

• Remember your achievements — even the small ones

• You have goals -- continue to work toward them

• Be true to your goals; make decisions based on your future goals.

                      Vince Lombardi taught his players “that sustaining a commitment to personal       excellence over a lifetime would separate them from other people and make them exceptional”.—that should take care of how others see you.

 

• Control your thoughts — no matter what life throws you, control you thoughts. Thoughts lead to feelings. Feelings lead to actions.   You want to be proud of your actions.

• Accept your flaws; you can only control the controllable

• It doesn't matter what others think of you, but what you think of yourself does; it takes time to build that level of confidence. An I Am list helps you.

 

Questions to ask about your thoughts:

 

• How does developing a strong positive image make you work on the mental, social and physical areas of your life?

• Will a positive self-image motivate you to take care of your physical health?

• Will a positive self-image help you make decisions focused on your goals?

• Will a positive self-image help you deal with life’s problems with a positive attitude?

• Will a positive self-image help you get along with family, friends and peers (even the difficult ones)?

 

Next time we will show you a simple worksheet option of how this works.  We will also show an real life example.  Come back and see.

 

 

The Healthy Mind Curriculum