The way you perceive yourself is the way others will see you. Think about that statement. What is your perception of yourself? Are you confident, are you in shape, and are you helpful, courteous and kind? Are you self-assured in your knowledge, skills and abilities at work? If you answered no to anyone of these questions, then you have some work to do. If there is any aspect of your life – personal or professional that you do not feel good about, then you are projecting that image to others.
Your self-image is vital to the way people view you. You can give your self-esteem a boost by changing your thinking. Our minds are powerful and our thoughts have a direct correlation to how we behave.
Labels and titles play into our perceptions. Perhaps you have heard of some of the altered titles given to the following professions. The jobs haven’t changed, but the attitude of the people doing them has.
Transparency Enhancement Facilitator – Window Cleaner
Field Nourishment Consultant – Waitress
Garbage Man – Sanitary Engineer
Housewife -Domestic Engineer
Highway Environmental Hygienist -Road Sweeper
Sanitation Consultant – Toilet Cleaner
I offer these five things for helping you to perceive yourself in a better light.
- Identify the area(s) that you find upsetting. This will take self reflection and may make you uncomfortable. You may be avoiding thinking or talking about this area of your life.
- Identify the thoughts you have when thinking about this area. How many times do you think “what if”, “I can’t”, “It won’t happen” or other negative thoughts? Notice any feelings or sensations you have while having the thoughts.
- Notice any reactions you may have as a result of these thoughts. Are you over eating, under eating, drinking too much, not sleeping, avoiding people. have a short fuse and become angry, etc.?
- Challenge your thoughts. If you have the “what if’s” play them out in your mind. Negative thinking causes helplessness. Recall also how many times you had “what if” scenarios in the past and how what you feared never happened.
- Change your thinking – change your life. Be kind to yourself and change negative words into positive ones. Avoid the words “should and must”. Treat yourself with kindness and be forgiving. Be your own cheerleader. If you don’t love yourself and believe in yourself, why should anyone else?
