How you view yourself, or your self-concept,
is how you will experience life. If it is positive and healthy you
will experience life in a positive and healthy way. If it is shaky and
fragile you will find life's challenges overwhelming and at times
insurmountable.
What is your self-concept?
It is the understanding and knowledge you have of your own
existence. It is how you see yourself in relation to others and to
your surroundings.
To have a positive or healthy self-concept you must:
Know yourself
Love yourself
Be True to yourself
In order to meet the challenges of today's complicated world, we
must build a solid foundation of self-knowledge, self-love and
self-confidence.
Your self-concept
is more than just having high self-esteem. Although high self-esteem
is important, the term can be misleading.
Self-esteem is your feelings of self-worth based on your beliefs
about being valuable and capable. It is your self-image, either
positive or negative, at an emotional level.
When it's based on emotion, self-esteem can be wavering and
vulnerable to threats.
If it's obtained from external factors, such as an attractive
physical appearance, or being popular, you can feel on top of the
world one day, and find yourself disillusioned or disappointed on the
next.
In the end a healthy self-concept must come from within. Instead of
relying on external sources for validation, it should be the outcome
of self-reflection and self-analysis.
What constitutes a healthy self-concept?
The ability to know
yourself; to be able to assess your strengths, weaknesses,
talents and potential.
The ability to love
and accept yourself as you are, knowing that you can improve
and develop any aspects of yourself that you choose.
The ability to take responsibility for your choices and actions.
You develop a healthy self-concept through self-assessment,
planning, and effort. You acquire the necessary life skills that can
help you take on the challenges that life presents and you integrate
them with the your knowledge and experience.
When you maintain a solid self-concept nothing can rattle you
or take you off your stride. You are self-confident
and assured because you
know that you are able to handle the adversities and challenges that
come your way.