Low Self-Esteem Hurts!
Have you ever suffered from low self-esteem? Where you’re continually down on yourself or think of yourself in a negative light? Do you ever worry that you might be worthless?
I have. For much of my life I had low self-esteem. I hated myself and thought I was worthless. It didn’t matter if others criticized me because I was always beating myself up verbally, mentally, and physically. In fact, one time as a teenager, I was angry at something I’d done and literally beat myself up by slamming my face into my knee repeatedly… So believe me, I know what it’s like to suffer with low self-esteem. And I overcame it. So can you!
What changed? How did I overcome my self-esteem issues?
I changed my beliefs about myself and who I am, what I’m capable of, and my value as a person. Changing these beliefs modified my personal identity. That shifted my thinking. This change in thinking replaced my old, disempowering thoughts with new empowering ones. New behaviors followed. I naturally began feeling better about myself because as my beliefs, thoughts, and behaviors changed, my self-esteem improved. As I established habits that supported a healthier self-image my personal value continued to grow. Over a short time I developed higher self-esteem and I’ve maintained it since then.
I’m going to show you how your internal beliefs shape your personal identity. Then I’ll give you an easy to follow step—that you can start doing today—to start changing self-beliefs and overcome low self-esteem.
Beliefs, Identity, & Behavior
The beliefs we have about ourselves shape our personal identity. Our personal identity impacts our behaviors. Our behaviors then reinforce our beliefs. This cycle is why it’s often hard for people to change unhealthy behaviors or habits. When new behaviors aren’t aligned with self-beliefs, actions are inconsistent with identity. When actions are inconsistent with one’s identity a struggle ensues. The subconscious mind wars with the conscious mind because the subconscious mind wants consistency between behavior and identity while the conscious mind wants new, healthier behavior.
For example; if we believe we’re doomed to be overweight then we’ve adopted being overweight as part of our identity. We see ourselves as overweight. Our subconscious mind continually offers us behaviors that keep our physical appearance—and health—in tune with that belief. Until we change that belief—and see ourselves as physically healthy—we’re going to have a hard time keeping weight off. This creates a constant battle between our conscious and subconscious minds.
Once we change our self-belief and believe we’re a physically healthy person, our identity shifts. Our behaviors naturally follow. We see ourselves as healthy so we eat like a healthy person eats. We exercise like a healthy person exercises. In essence we behave how we believe a healthy person behaves and our life changes.
This is true for any belief we have about ourselves. If we believe we’re an addict we’ll behave like an addict. A person who believes they’re an alcoholic will behave like an alcoholic. Self-beliefs about being dumb or poor or violent manifest in behaviors that match those beliefs.
Healthy Beliefs Manifest in Healthy Behavior
The good news is any healthy belief we see in ourselves will manifest in behavior too. If we believe we’re smart we’ll also behave like a smart person. When we believe we’re kind we’ll behave kindly. Beliefs that we’re generous, productive, successful. They also manifest in those behaviors. All of these beliefs and behaviors boost our self-esteem!
Now that you understand how your beliefs impact your identity and see how your identity tunes your behavior, I’ll give you a simple process you can use immediately to start modifying your beliefs and overcome low self-esteem.
Daily Affirmations
Pick a belief you want to change—something that will help you feel better about yourself—and create a few affirmations for it. Then repeat them to yourself as often throughout the day as you can. I recommend a minimum of 5 times. Remember affirmations should be phrased positively—focusing on what you want instead of what you don’t want. Repeat them with strong emotion too because this tells your subconscious mind they’re important.
Let’s get you started. Think of the belief you want to change. Now think of what your new, healthy belief is. Got it? Great!
Fill in the blanks, on these starter lines, with your new belief:
More and more I’m ________________________!
Every day I grow __________________________!
I love how it feels now that I’m _________________!
I’m in the process of ________________________!
I love how it feels when I _____________________!
I love the idea of ___________________________!
I’ve decided that I’m ________________________!
I’m in the process of becoming __________________!
Now memorize your affirmations and repeat them you yourself every time you think of it throughout the day. This isn’t a one day deal either. You must repeat your affirmations daily until your new belief is clearly, firmly, soundly in your subconscious mind. As your new beliefs become part of your subconscious, your self-esteem will naturally improve!
Deal? Great!
As a bonus, you can download the .pdf My Affirmation Starter Kit—an extra from my book “The Law of Action: How to Hit Your Target Every Time”—then fill it out and use it as a template to help you with your new affirmations.
You did it! You’re amazing! Keep it up and always remember:
You are The Master of Your Destiny!
Roland
P.S. For more ways to overcome issues like low self-esteem—or other problem areas in your life—Read “Break Your Mold: The Art of Overcoming Patterns and Behaviors that Hold You Back”
#Self-Esteem #Behavior #ChangeYourLife
