Self-Image

Take the time (a day, maybe a week) to pay attention to how you describe yourself to others; pay attention to how you to and about yourself. What you say about yourself out loud, to yourself or others, and how you talk about yourself can tell others and yourself about self-image.

What appears to be quite common within our society is the lack of distinction between humility and self-deprecation. Some feel they may come off conceited if they express how positive they feel or how well they so at something. There is a stigma behind certain levels of confidence, pride, and self-worth. A mindset develops to avoid feeling a certain way or getting a certain amount of confidence. There are those who are over-confident and have arrogance. Eventually it shows. The difference between arrogance and confidence becomes clear over time. Confidence, when genuine, does not void any humility. To be humble does mean belittle your value, your ideas, yours actions, your successes, your words, or even your accomplishments. So many do not recognize how common it is to devalue one’s own beliefs.

The subconscious is such a powerful thing; it can be influenced without a person’s awareness. It stores what we believe and feel, as well as what we put out. Your behavior can tell a lot about how you see yourself. If you tell someone, “I am not good,” after they compliment how well you play a game, eventually your approach to the game is affected (and people might stop complimenting you because your negative responses).

Please, do not start portraying narcissism. Do not go around boasting about how great you are, how skilled you are, or how much you have succeeded over others. Everyone can improve. Everyone can be better. The best still study, show up for practice, research, and learn. Experts still study and review. Technology improves because it can always be better.

To use wording that lowers your own value can lower your worth in the eyes of others as well. You may not be the top player but you are able to improve, and you are obviously good enough to be on the team. How about, instead of downplaying what you have done and criticizing your actions, think of what you did well and what you can improve on. Instead of basing your worth on what others think, look at yourself. Recognize and appreciate the things about yourself that are incredible. When you get complimented think of why someone likes your work, or how well you dressed, and appreciate that aspect of yourself. Acknowledge your strengths, and your ability to develop more. Take note of the good things, no matter how trivial they may be. You make one hell of a sandwich, and you are always the first to get ready for events or dates.

Once you take note of what you say to yourself and about yourself to others, then change that thinking, a lot more will change.