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Would it surprise you to know that a definition of self
concept - how you see yourself, will determine the results
and outcomes you derive from your goals?
In the area of personal development, there is often a lot being said about the need to remain positive or to have a positive mental attitude (PMA). However, what is less talked about is the importance of your self concept and self-esteem and how these key factors directly influence your ability to maintain a positive mental attitude.
Without doubt, it is easy for anyone to remain positive and upbeat when things are going well. When they are not, or you feel you have little to no control over undesirable life events, it is a different story all together.
I'm sure you can relate to the well-meaning friend or relative who tell you to 'look on the bright side of things' or, that you should 'try to be more positive'. It's alright for them - they're not the ones feeling the reality you're experiencing. Until they do, they cannot possibly give you advice on how or what you should be feeling. Only you can do that! Does that sound about right?
It makes sense therefore that you learn how to do exactly that. Your definition of self concept - how you see yourself, directly correlate with your ability to maintain a positive frame of mind. It is this positive state that will help you to adequately manage and overcome any life storms you experience. But first, you must learn how to nurture this positive state.
Nurturing a healthy sense of self calls for a critical evaluation of the value you place on yourself - (your level of self-esteem) and the amount of trust you have in yourself - (the degree of confidence you have in your ability to get things done). Combined, these two factors will dictate how you effectively conduct yourself in difficult situations; and, your level of competency in managing challenging life situations.
Learning how to nurture your healthy sense of self or healthy self concept is therefore a broad two-fold process that will in turn equip you with the skills and resources you'll need to deal with whatever life throws at you.
The following shows you two ways of achieving this. The first relate to building low self-esteem and provide you with resources, self-esteem activities and exercises you can use to increase your self esteem quotient.
The second will focus your attention on how you perceive yourself, helping you to arrive at a clear definition of self concept that is personal to you.
definition of self concept -
How to nurture your Healthy Sense Of Self
To sustain a positive mental attitude, your self esteem must be high. If your self esteem is low, you will need to work on it. You'll find this building low self esteem exercise and self-esteem activity, useful.
definition of self concept -
getting to grips with how you see yourself
The following exercise will help you to clearly identify your definition of self concept - how you perceive yourself, as well as how you perceive other people see you. Using your journal, list your responses to the following. Use four positive words to describe yourself for each of questions below:
Now that you have a definition of self concept in relation to
your other significant networks, the next step is to assess how
and why you have come to hold that world view. This is important
because, the words you use to describe how you see yourself are
most probably based on the feedback you receive and/or, an image
of how you would like to be perceived. Now answer the following
questions.
Now that you have finished recording your perceptions, you now
need to turn your attention to how you believe your other
significant networks perceive you.
(For instance, might they see you as being - caring, loyal, supportive?
(Your work colleague might say - you're dependable, helpful, efficient for example)
(Do they see you as being responsible, dependable, for example)?
Take a close look at both your own description of yourself against
how you perceive other people see you. How does your self-
description or definition of self concept compare to those of your
other significant network?
Are you less forthcoming with positive words used to describe yourself? Are other people's view of you very much different to your own? If so, how is this so? Could you now ask each of them (only the the people you trust and whom love you) in turn for their responses to the above questions? Are you really ready to hear how they perceive you and perhaps why they perceive you in those ways? What can you learn from their responses or feedback? Could you now journal your many insights into the definition of self concept you hold and what you can now do to build positively on your healthy self concept Do you want to change? More importantly, are you ready to change your life/how you see yourself - for the better?
As you can clearly see, a definition of self-concept involve two key factors - i.e. the value you place on yourself (self-esteem) and the level of confidence you have in your ability to take positive action to change - (self-confidence). You have all the tools you need to hand, to now nurture these aspects of yourself.
"The people and circumstances
around me do not MAKE me what I am, they REVEAL who I am"
. (Dr Laura Schlessinger)
The information on this site is purely of educational value
and is not intended to replace your seeking medical advice. You
must consult your doctor over all your health concerns.
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