Many people believe that a person’s self-image is an internal belief that rarely affects anything in the physical world. Unfortunately, that’s not true at all. In fact, a negative self-image can wreck havoc any success you may have in life, draining you of your wealth and happiness. However, one of the ways to become worthy of the success and happiness we want is to give ourselves an ‘image makeover’.
Your Self-Image Shapes You
If self-image comes down to clothes, getting into shape, material symbols — so be it. To each his own. After all, “dressing for success” to the president of a surfboard company may be vastly different than dressing for success to a banker. The images that both surfer and banker hold in their mind, their dress code, is how they perceive themselves. It’s their self-image. Furthermore, this perception is going to determine their arena in money more than anything else.
The image we often want to project is one of somebody who deserves to be a partner in a lucrative joint venture. Other times we want to project someone who is confident enough in themselves to understand they don’t know everything, nor do they have to, but they are fast learners who have their own unique value to bring to the table. Regardless of what you want to have as your image, the bigger question is usually how to do it.
How to Improve Your Self-Image
There are simple ways in which we can improve our self-image. If you want to improve your self-image, embrace these universal truths:
1. Stop Beating Yourself Up!
This is one of those rules like not complaining. There’s no room for self-criticism. Think of it this way: If you really cared about somebody, how would you treat them? How would you talk to them? What kind of tone of voice would you use? While we treat others kindly, in comparison we usually treat ourselves like trash. True or true?
You want to catch self-criticism and immediately transfer that to an encouragement.
If you don’t have the confidence, you’ll never take actions. What kind of life can you live if you don’t trust or encourage yourself? Therefore, become your own best friend! Be nice to yourself! If you’re not going to love yourself, then who is? Nobody can love you until you love you! Until then, you’re ripping them off.
No complaining, no self-criticizing. These are ironclad rules for happiness and success.
2. Practice Receiving
When given a compliment, most people go, “Oh it was nothing.” Instead of this response, how about from now on we simply say, “Thank you!”
So many people diminish their own significance, even when others want to give them worth. By down-playing a compliment, you’re essentially telling the person giving the compliment that (A) You don’t believe them, and/or (B) You don’t believe you deserve to be complimented. So what does the universe do? It responds to what you put out there. If you believe you don’t deserve to be complimented, the compliments will get scarcer. Then, you’ll criticize yourself more, and the whole insane cycle starts again.
To paraphrase Mandela, you do no one a service by diminishing your own light. Quite the opposite: You give others permission to let their light shine by being that example. Receive compliments, accolades, praise — and yes, even criticism — with an open heart. You’d be amazed at how that translates to receiving more money for the value you bring to the market and to others.
Image IS everything…and its nothing. It’s a classic Zen paradox. Of course, people are going to respond to how we look…we don’t need too many primers on that. However, we need to look at ourselves as people who are competent in what we do, have value to give, and deserve to be rewarded for it. The money you “deserve” is a choice in life just like anything else. You choose what you receive through what you do. It’s up to you.
Are you struggling with more than just your self-image? Or are your self-image problems so severe that you don’t know where to begin? If so, join me on one of my upcoming web classes, “Don’t Believe A Thought You Think,” where you’ll learn exactly how to have all the success, inner peace, health, relationships, etc. that you want and deserve.
Click here to reserve your free seat today!
Now we want to hear from you. What are some ways — traditional or spiritual — that people can improve their self-image in any arena of life? It’s all an integrated whole, and then poor self-image in one area will undercut any other progress. So let’s close those gaps and enjoy the fruits of the Millionaire Mind!
For Your Freedom,
Hello everyone!
Thanks for this opportunity to share what works for me. I have been reading Louise Hay books and she talks about blessing yourself and others with love. I walk down the street blessing people with love no matter who they are. I say this to myself. After an outing of blessing people, I feel really good about myself. I no longer judge people because I bless them instead! I now catch myself blaming someone and I would rather bless them. Louise also talks about looking in a mirror and telling yourself that you love you. This one was little hard at first. Now it’s really essential to my day! If I’ve had something not so great happen, I let myself feel my feelings and I tell myself that it’s okay and that no matter what I am here always for me. I am becoming a stronger more loving person to myself and everyone I come in contact with!
All the best to each and all of you!
Nyla
As an Image Consultant, this is the first thing I touch upon. If you don’t love & respect yourself you simply cannot make others happy. We need to walk the talk & we automatically become who we portray .