Self-image is a powerful mindset. Some scientists and psychologists believe one's self-image is the primary determining factor of failure or success—I agree, with my whole heart.
If you look in the mirror and don't like what you see, the inner self-image that controls so many aspects of our lives also becomes displeased. In many cases, we don't see what others see in us. We see this hollow, negative entity, and eventually, we become that person. In the process, we lose confidence and, ultimately, others lose faith in us as well. This saga is failure.
But what if you looked in that mirror and loved what you saw, and this joy was communicated to your inner mindset? Your inner self is now beaming with pride and self-confidence. You now exude the persona you knew was inside you. In short, you love yourself, your whole self, and your life. This saga is success.
It's not even fair to ask which one you would choose if you could create your life by that simplistic fashion. Of course, you would prefer to be confident, successful, and radiant from self-love. But getting to that point is not so easy as choosing an option in a hypothetical, binary scenario. However, learning to love yourself and creating a better life for yourself overall does not have to be that difficult either. It is a process, but it is one you can work through.
You are the writer of your story, so write yourself in as the strong successful person that you know you are.
The path to self-love and re-booting your self-image mindset has a few steps. By following these steps, you will learn how to dig down deep and find the real you. Committing to valuing your own self-worth is the most significant investment you can make in your life. Only you can change your self-image, and the real you cannot breathe until you do.
Remove Obstacles
The process of growing up provides experiences that affect who we become. This is the environment doing its part to shape us from the outside in. And thanks to heredity, we are all shackled to the genetics within our cells. These factors have bombarded us with stimuli from day one, and all of that stuff has inadvertently helped design our self—but it doesn't have to define it.
Some of these stimuli are probably positive, doing their part to shape a healthy self-image. However, too many times, much of the environmental and genetic baggage people carry damages their self-esteem. But guess what? You don't have to settle for an image you didn't create.
When you remove these obstacles from your mindset, you are making the first step towards building the real you. Start envisioning a person who walks with confidence, speaks with poise, and attains those personal goals that were once so far out of reach. By removing obstacles such as negative self-image and excuses from your life, the power of positivity will begin to show its presence.
Be Yourself
You are the Power Creator of your life. It's never too late to cast off a false image and transform into the real you. Too often, we let other people's expectations for our life guide us down a dead-end road. If your heart is not in it—and it doesn't matter what it is—you will be mediocre at best.
When you learn to be your authentic self, you will begin to love more about life.
But guess what? You don't have to settle for an image you didn't create.
By learning to be yourself, you become the best version of you, unencumbered by what others think and want for your life.
Live Your Dreams
What are your dreams? At one point in most people's lives, their dreams become these unattainable visions of what other people do and achieve. It doesn't have to be this way. If you dream about it, you should be able to achieve it. And if you don't, your self-image is to blame. Embrace who you are wholeheartedly, and stop sowing the seeds of self-doubt because they will come to fruition.
Do you want more money or a promotion? Do you want to live with more meaning and purpose? Whatever the dream, start putting yourself on a trajectory to its summit. It all starts with—you guessed it—having a positive self-image and believing in yourself.
Learning to love yourself and creating a better life for yourself overall does not have to be that difficult either. It is a process, but it is one you can work through.
A Final Plea
Everything you need to change your self-image and start achieving your dreams is already inside you. It begins with knowing your self-worth and having a positive body image. When you look in that mirror, you need to like what you see. If you like what you see, you will identify with that person more.
Working on improving yourself is the best investment you can ever make. With a little work, your story can be a saga of success. Take your life into your own hands. You are the writer of your story, so write yourself in as the strong successful person that you know you are. You just need to dig down deep, find it, and let it breathe.
WRITTEN BY
Kathleen Cameron