Are you the kind of person who dwells on your strengths, or the kind obsessed by your weaknesses? It's been said that you become what you think about most of the time. Continually pondering your strengths therefore makes you become stronger, enhancing self-esteem. Conversely, thinking constantly on your weaknesses makes you become weaker, draining whatever self-esteem you have.
Incidentally, self-esteem is all about who you think you are. Notice the word "think." Quite often it has nothing to do with reality. What we think of ourselves could be very far from the truth. The world is full of beautiful women who think they are ugly, thin ones thinking they are fat, men who have it all but think they need more?. I believe you could add to this list of ironies!
Self-esteem is all about what you think about you. Now, who or what do you think you are? Are you happy with your answer? If yes, you have healthy self-esteem; if no, your self-esteem is poor. A poor self-esteem could weigh you down in many areas of your life. It could cheat you out of promotions, contracts, relationships and much more. If you feel inadequate and undeserving, you will never fight for more in life. Why, you think you do not deserve what you presently have! If you feel unworthy of your loving spouse and children you could unconsciously hold back on loving them, fearing they might leave you sooner or later. You consequently maintain emotional distance, protecting yourself from anticipated hurt, alienating your loved ones in the process. Do you see how poor self-esteem could do its harm?
An unrealistically high opinion of yourself could be equally damaging, resulting in conceitedness, the other end of the continuum. Conceitedness destroys relationships, and consequently businesses and careers. Whether they are feelings of superiority, or of inferiority, an unhealthy self-esteem is damaging. It is therefore important to build and maintain a healthy self-image, where you think positively of your strengths and abilities but with humility, desiring to be a blessing through them.
By all means you should celebrate your strengths and successes. It is alright to feel good about them. We all have them, so do not be too self-effacing. If you were to make a list of things you are good at, that you get complimented for, and progress you have made in the last five years you may even find that you have not been fair to yourself; you may be more accomplished than you thought! Why not make such a list right now!
On the other hand, making a list of your weaknesses is not to burst your bubble. It is to highlight areas for further improvement. If these are things you cannot change, you will simply need to find a way around them. You certainly shouldn't work up a sweat about them! For instance, if you hate writing speeches, you could hire a speech writer. Not good with balancing the books? Get an accountant. And if you think you don't have a pretty face, you could focus on fitness, inner beauty, good grooming and manners. You could always find a hairstyle, a combination of colours, a style of clothing that down plays some features, highlighting others. So celebrate your strengths, work on your weaknesses; and enlist help wherever you need it!
If you made the list of your strengths, and the other of your weaknesses you will often find that your strong points more than make up for your weak ones. It therefore makes sense to dwell on what you've got rather than what you haven't. No one is perfect, but we are adequate for God's purpose. You have all it takes to be you. There is no reason to envy someone else. They need what they've got to be themselves, something you were not created to be.
So, dear friend, who do you think you are? Reel off those strengths in answer to this question and you will not be far from the truth. Think on your strengths, celebrate them and be thankful. Remember, it's all about who you think you are. And that is within your power.
Copyright 2005 Oma Edoja
Oma Edoja is a freelance writer, motivational speaker and publisher. She publishes an inspirational ezine, The Up-Mobile ezine, at http://up-mobile.blogspot.com. This article is excerpted from issue 5. Visit to see current issue. Subscribe now and get free booklet: Four Steps to Success -- Your easy-to-follow guide to getting what you want and keeping it by Oma Edoja
full-service cleaning Buffalo Grove ...You may be facing a type of disappointment, frustration, loss,... Read More
The only constant is change. If theres one thing we... Read More
Life shouldn't be so complicated. Have you ever wondered why... Read More
Are you undergoing a major life change? Or merely trying... Read More
Woe is me... life has dealt me a bad hand...... Read More
"The other night I ate at a real family restaurant.... Read More
One of our most active senses is sight. What we... Read More
Did you know that the 911 equivalent in the UK... Read More
The other day one of my "challenging clients" and I... Read More
"If you don't enjoy getting up and working and finishing... Read More
The infamous "glass ceiling" is blamed for business issues for... Read More
There are countless books that describe success principles. Here are... Read More
We are all involved in this game called life and... Read More
People with negative attitudes may wonder why they never achieve... Read More
I heard these words from a client who had been... Read More
"Adventure isn't hanging on a rope off the side... Read More
The hardest part of success is the **courage** you need... Read More
Emotions are controlled by a combination of reason and action.... Read More
As if choreographed and rehearsed the night before, one lays... Read More
Often, I've come across individuals who, while in conversation, will... Read More
Positive thinking in this day and age is a tool... Read More
Facing a change and want to make it work for... Read More
"Where are your bananas?" It seemed like a logical question... Read More
Near the end of December 2004, I received an email... Read More
Studies show that men and women profit most with having... Read More
cleaning service near Northbrook ...Turn negative thoughts into positive ones.Negative thoughts can be very... Read More
The one thing that is absolutely vital to overcoming shyness... Read More
Life shouldn't be so complicated. Have you ever wondered why... Read More
Not Amen, just so we're clear on that.AND.The little connector... Read More
Philosophy of Forgiveness:The most powerful tool that human beings possess... Read More
Looking around at our circumstances we may see only mountains... Read More
"The other night I ate at a real family restaurant.... Read More
How many times have you heard someone say, "Hey, cheer... Read More
I heard these words from a client who had been... Read More
Music penetrates our mental barriers and influences the deepest areas... Read More
Problems, disappointments and trouble; the three skunks that sometimes think... Read More
It's a fact of life - if you want to... Read More
Heard of a raindance? It is a ritual used by... Read More
Many people find it extremely difficult to be assertive, whether... Read More
Are you an optimist or a pessimist? Is the glass... Read More
There are many dynamics that go into making a great... Read More
At first glance, it would seem that positive thinking and... Read More
What does it take to succeed? How can you move... Read More
So how do we find meaning? The first step is... Read More
Our attitude makes seems to control just about everything about... Read More
Why do we really need the experiences that we have... Read More
How would you like to stop feeling like your life... Read More
"If you don't enjoy getting up and working and finishing... Read More
Just 2 nights ago my partner and I were watching... Read More
Many people would say that it is absolute madness to... Read More
Positive Attitude Tips |