Self Perception 10 Secrets of People with Positive Self Image

Self Perception 10 Secrets of People with Positive Self Image Self-image is defined as the perception of oneself, according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. The term dates back to 1678, and it leise holds significance today. Why? Because having a good self-image is probably one of the most valuable things we can hope to have in our lives. Its the foundation of being truly happy with ourselves and living our best possible lives.Why is it important to have a positive self-perception?Were all going to be challenged personally and professionally, and well perhaps even be put in uncompromising positions that make us question ourselves and second guess who we are and our beliefs. Personality goes into question. Thats when having a positive self-image or self-perception matters most. High self-esteem and good self-perception are what helps us avoid getting crushed by rejection and what motivates us to keep pushing for our dreams. Our feelings and beliefs about ourselves can lift us up, th anks to our high self-esteem. But, when we think negatively and have negative self-talk, we create self-fulfilling propheciesthats when we need an attitude change, which isnt an easy process.Psychology and theoriesTheres a lot ofpsychology behindself-esteem and self-concept. Researchers have looked intoemotional self-awareness and the ensuingself-fulfilling prophecies for years, by looking at self-report measures andglobal self-esteem.Self-image theorySelf-image theory or self-perception theory, for example, describes the idea that people are influenced by others and bedrngnis the result of what they themselves truly want to do. Psychologist Daryl Bem originally developed this theory of attitude formation in the late 1960s and early 1970s.A number of studies since have confirmed that self-perception theory exists, and furthermore, that self-perception theory (and positive self-concept or positive self-image) influences us in many unexpected contexts.Cultivation theoryIn addition to self-concept theory, theres cultivation theory. It also delves intoself-report measures to determine emotional self-awareness.If you are the last one chosen for kickball during recess, your peers are giving you an instruction that they dont feel you to be athletic, writes Psychology Todays Michael J Formica. If your artwork is always chosen to hang in the hallway near the principals office, your teacher is giving you the instruction that youre artistic. If your mother is constantly harping on you to clean up your room, she is giving you the instruction that youre sloppy. If your school guidance counselor dumbs down the list of colleges and universities to which you selected to apply, s/he is giving you the instruction that youre not so bright.These are clumsy examples. But they point to a very important idea. Until we come to an authentic and unclouded idea of who we are, we are only a reflection of the opinions of other people we are a reflection of what others believe about us, as opposed to what we believe about ourselves. People pfote us instructions, hold opinions and pass judgment, and we buy in.10 secrets of people with positive self-perceptionSo self-image and self-perception theory play a major role in our lives.Whether your self-image has taken a beating and youre looking to regain your inner strength, or youre as positive as can be, it never hurts to check in with yourself and give yourself a tune-up Here are 10 rules people with good self-images always follow.1. They give themselves credit.While it sounds simple enough, how often have you earned something that you somehow attributed to luck or just being in the right place at the right time? People with a strong self-image positively attribute their accomplishments to their own hard work and efforts.2. They are present.People with good self-image are present and in the moment. They dont focus on regrets nor do they spend time longing for a certain kind of future. They are focused on the immediate m oment and what they can do right now to help themselves move forward.3. They keep it real.If youre at all prone to dramatizing, youll appreciate this. People with positive self-image dont over exaggerate things. They generally see things as they are without catastrophizing them and have the ability to remain level headed.4. They dont dwell on things.It can be hard to do, especially if youre really disappointed about the outcome of a major event. But people with good self-image dont have time to dwell on negative outcomes. Instead, they look for the takeaways and for what they can learn from the experience and figure out how to improve upon things for the next time.5. They are in control of their emotions.This doesnt mean that people with a positive self-image arent emotional. Not at all. What it does mean is that, they arent ruled by them and that their relationships with others arent at the mercy of their moods.6. They know how to let go.Grudges and harboring negative feelings does nt serve them in any way. Theyre skilled at letting go of negativity and making room for more positivity in their lives.7. Theyre not worried about the Joneses.They dont compare themselves with others. They are happy to be on their path, wherever that may be and are happy to fully own the path as theirs.8. They are kind to themselves.Im not talking about taking time out for a massage, though theres nothing wrong with that. But people with a good self-image dont beat themselves up over things that are not in their control.9. They know that perfection is an illusion.Were all striving to better ourselves in various ways, but if we have unrealistic goals were in for a lot of disappointment. 10. They take time to be grateful for what they have.You might be able to have a good self-image without doing all 10 of these things. But if youre not grateful for what you have, its going to be pretty hard to like yourself.