How to Create a Good Self Image (Part Two)

Oct 19
21:00

2002

Craig Lock

Craig Lock

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"Life is about finding, then ... the dream... and one's ... comes to reality through ... in ... making the ... and then creating it."- Craig LockThis article follows

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"Life is about finding,How to Create a Good Self Image (Part Two) Articles then following the dream...
and one's dream/vision comes to reality through believing in
yourself, making the commitment and then creating it."

- Craig Lock

This article follows on from Part One...

Central to genuine success is a positive and realistic self image.
However, throughout the course of a given day we are
exposed to negative feedback - in the form of the media and
comments from others. Throughout the course of our lives,
we frequently harbour damaged self images - this stops us
discovering our full potential. Don't try to imitate others, but
see yourself as a unique person, who can make a mark, some
difference in the world.

In the past many people have not taken seriously what I
have been trying to do in my writing.
(No, I just think they can't uderstand my "funny occupation").
Or perhaps they are right that I'll never be successful!
Cut that negativity out, Craig. You'll do it in time!

*
Hindrances to a positive self image:

1. Continual habit of self deprecation*.
(example: see last sentence in previous paragraph).

* (What a big word - must try and use it more often to
impress you readers!)

I believe many people put themselves down, pointing to their
inabilities, inadequacies and weaknesses. People generally
underestimate their capabilities and stress weaknesses, rather
than their strengths - particularly women and in CV's.
I believe this is the reason why many people live lives of
mediocrity, never becoming what they might have been by
realising their full potential.

2. A false sense of security.

Most people plod on in steady secure jobs (which they don't
like), rather than stepping out into the unknown. Change is
not nearly as dangerous as what people think. Says
"adventurous he!"

3. Most people remember past failures with guilt, rather than
celebrating what they did well.
Take the credit yourself, no matter how small your achievements.

4. SNIOP = We are all very easily susceptible to the negative
influences of other people . Even "well-meaning" friends. Don't
listen, when others say you can't do it. It just makes them feel
better in their "mediocre little lives".

5. Dare to be different and to what your heart says.
FOLLOW YOUR DREAM... whatever it may be.

*

How to overcome a poor self- image

"Imagination rules the world."
- Napoleon

"Imagination is the world."
- Einstein

(Repeated by a slightly inebriated friend of mine, standing on
a table at a nurses dance "many many moons" ago).
Thanks Peter "Allie".

Utilise the unlimited Power of your IMAGINATION.

Don't think negatively in terms of failure. Change your attitude
by visualising achieving your goals. If you want to change your
self image, change your imagination by letting your mind dwell
on what you want to be in the future. A race-car driver, pilot,
professional writer, ballet dancer...or even an accountant!

If you want to change your behaviour, the quickest and easiest
way is to change your own attitude, your mind-set. You don't
necessarily need to change jobs or location. That's a big mistake
I've made in the past! "Bloom where you are planted."

Establish a New Identity. That's why I've done as a writer for
the past "lucky seven" years, as for so many years I was a
"straight insurance man, a square peg in a round hole in the
conservative corporate world"!

Use your mind. If you identify with a low self image, you will
continue to view yourself poorly. Free yourself of your bad
memories and fears of failure. If you are not happy with
yourself, you may need to use the erase button, and record
a new image to play back to yourself...
on the videotape of your mind, but without the old negative bits.

Your self image is your most precious asset. Make it a daily task
to build it, to nourish it and to feed it.

Be Open to Growth & New Opportunities.

Serendipity (Nice word for a daughter!) -
Most of my successes have come purely by chance
by being in the right place at the right time, as well as staying
positive even when things look bad. No, not
bad, but really perilous sometimes stuck in a big black hole
full of that "smelly brown stuff".

"The image that concerns most people is the reflection they see
in other people's minds."
- Edward De Bono, famous writer on the concept of lateral thinking

In other words, I believe that too many people are worried
about what others think of them.

Set Definite Goals:

Man is a goal-seeking organism. I think we humans feel happiest,
when we are working to achieve something of importance/value.
Man's personality is controlled not as much by his past
accomplishments and present environment, as by his future goals.

People with no definite goals live an unfocussed life - they often
accomplish little of substance. An unfocussed life is a wasted life,
and a wasted life is most open to a a low self image.
If you have no goal, where will you focus your abilities?
How will you direct your life? Crystallise your goals...then action
them. I find that having a meaning and purpose in my life , ie.
a LIFE MISSION is most fulfilling and satisfying.

GOALS BRING SUCCESS
Setting and then achieving them. They give structure and a
plan to our lives, no more than that.
However, they also specify what accomplishments are
important to us - by giving us a purpose, a reason for being.
Like the ship navigating a course by the stars, goals guide us
down the river of life - checkpoints to "tick off" to keep us on
track. So write down your daily goals. Numerous studies have
shown that man uses only 10% of his abilities throughout his
lifetime and only 5% of the population have any written goals*.

So then,
WHAT HOPE DO THEY HAVE OF EVER ACHIEVING THEM?
* Studies have shown that these 5% are the high achievers
and "go-getters" of societies.

SPEAK POSITIVE WORDS
Always think the best of others. We all have disappointments,
but never allow disappointments to trigger negative words of
resentment and anger. Words that lead to self pity and
depression.

EXERCISE POSITIVE FAITH

NB: Have Faith in yourself, but especially in God, The Universe,
a Higher Power.

The Bible said: "As I think, I behave."
Don't ask me where to find it though?
(could some "Bible-basher" please let me know where I found
that quotation).

"How you see yourself is more important than how other people
see you."

ASK YOURSELF:

+ + -

1. What do I do well? What do I do poorly?



2. What do I like most about What do I like least
myself? about myself?



3. Of which results/achievements Which areas of my life
am I most proud? need the most attention?



* The more you add to the left hand side of the ledger, the
more you will outweigh the negatives you have accumulated
over the years. Instead of being your own worst enemy, you
can be your own best friend. You're bound to have
more on the left hand side than on the right.

A word to end off this chapter...

"Fall in love with yourself and be sure of a life-long romance."

I LOVE MYSELF*

(thanks for sending to me, Kaye - you are a very special person)
* please excuse "caps" - I'm not shouting, but am just too "lazy"
to retype!).

I LOVE MYSELF THE WAY I AM
THERE'S NOTHING I NEED TO CHANGE
I WILL ALWAYS BE THE PERFECT ME
THERE IS NOTHING TO RE-ARRANGE
I AM BEAUTIFUL AND CAPABLE
OF BEING THE BEST ME I CAN
AND
I LOVE MYSELF JUST THE WAY I AM


I LOVE YOU JUST THE WAY YOU ARE
THERE IS NOTHING YOU NEED TO DO
WHEN I FEEL THE LOVE INSIDE MYSELF
IT IS EASY TO LOVE YOU
BEHIND YOUR FEARS
YOUR RADIANT HUES
I SEE YOUR SHINING STAR
AND
I LOVE YOU JUST THE WAY YOU ARE.


I LOVE THE WORLD THE WAY IT IS
'CAUSE I CAN CLEARLY SEE
THAT ALL THE THINGS I JUDGE ARE DONE
BY PEOPLE JUST LIKE ME
SO TILL THE BIRTH OF PEACE ON EARTH
THAT ONLY LOVE CAN BRING
I'LL HELP THAT GROW BY LOVING EVERYTHING.


I LOVE MYSELF THE WAY I AM
AND STILL I WANT TO GROW
THE CHANGE OUTSIDE CAN ONLY COME
WHEN DEEP INSIDE I KNOW
I'M BEAUTIFUL AND CAPABLE
OF BEING THE BEST ME I CAN
I LOVE MYSELF JUST THE WAY I AM.