how to improve self-image and self-esteem
How to improve self-image and self-esteem
When you see yourself, what thoughts come into your mind? Do you feel ashamed or inferior? Or is there a feel of pride and dignity? What kind of thoughts you hold for yourself, is going to determine your self-image. We start developing this self-image from very young age, especially when we are in our teen-age. This self-image, we hold in our minds, often based on our personal experiences or remarks of persons around us like family members, friends and co-workers etc. Our self-image has direct influence on our self-esteem; a person with inferior self-image holds a lower self-esteem. We all, at certain times in our lives, experience this problem and think, how can we improve our self image and self esteem?
We often, come across to this situation, if there is a failure in our lives and people around us make us feel, as if we are a failure or a loser by their criticism and harsh words. It crushes our self-image and eventually our self-esteem, because words can do magic. People can do this to us because they have an authority, influence and easy access to us, they are not strangers, but are our parents, siblings, friends or co-workers.
To improve your self-image and self-esteem always remember one thing that nobody is perfect and flawless in this world. Everyone has his/her own strengths and weaknesses and is unique in his/her own stance. People do their magic of words on us because we let them do it.
No one can make you feel inferior without your consent. (Eleanor Roosevelt)
The moment we allow other people to tell us, how we are? We give them a power to control and manipulate us. Never let them do that. This is not other people to tell us how we are? This is we to determine what we are? And how we will be? The way we feel about ourselves is going to affect the way other people will feel about us. So, never feel inferior or ashamed of yourselves. Always have a positive self-image about yourself and eventually, it will boost your self-esteem.
Many people hold inferior self-image and self-esteem just because of their not very good body image. They are not happy with their looks and the way nature has made them. In history there are so many people who were not excellent in looks but they lived their lives with dignity and made such a positive contribution to mankind, that we remember them with pride. I hope following examples will help you improve your self-image.
Frederick Douglass, in spite of being a Black American born slave, lived his life with such a high self-image and self-esteem that he refused to accept the set rules of discrimination and slavery. Whole life he struggled for racial and gender equality, became greatest American abolitionist and hero. He personified three key rules for success in life, which in my opinion are also key rules for high self-esteemed life:
1 Believe in yourself.
2 Take advantage of every opportunity.
3 Use the power of spoken and written language to effect positive change for yourself and society.
What is possible for me is possible for you. (Frederick Douglass)
Helen Adams Keller, an early age illness made her deaf and blind, but she left behind the misfortune of being mute and deaf. She was the first deaf blind to get bachelor degree and became a successful author, lecturer and leading humanitarian of 20th century.
I thank God for my handicaps, for, through them I have found myself, my work, and my God. (Helen Keller)
Everyone is blessed with some talent and quality. God has made nothing and nobody useless, explore yourself, dig up your potential and excel in that. Set small and achievable goals for yourself, it will lead you towards improving your self-image and eventually your self-esteem.
