You're a unique person with nuances that are unique to you!
Your self-image is the way you view yourself. You might view yourself as a parent, teacher, friend, wife, intelligent, impatient, religious, spiritual, and middle-aged. But you're more than your career, gender, and age. You're more than other people’s opinion of you.
You're a unique person with nuances that are unique to you!
When who you are aligns with what you do, you're living authentically. But most of us view ourselves as one way and live another. Authentic people act honestly and congruently. They act the same whether people are watching or not.
Living your authentic self has great benefits: success, self-esteem, respect from others, and inner peace and joy.
Those that live lives misaligned with their values, beliefs, and attitudes suffer from more anxiety, guilt, and shame. It might seem easier to live up to the expectations of others in the short-term, but the long-term costs are significant.
Follow these steps to determine your true self and live life on your terms.
1. Identify your core values. An authentic self-image is one that is aligned with your values. By knowing your values, you'll gain an understanding of what is important to you. Once you're aware of your values, you can build a self-image and life that are more meaningful and enjoyable.
Make a list of your values. Create a long list and include everything that you think applies to you. Then, reduce your list to the top 5 values that are most important to you.
2. Determine if there are any conflicts on your Values. For example, you might value wealth and spending time with family. You want to grow your wealth but growing your wealth means less time with your family. When there is conflict in your values, most likely you will sabotage yourself. You will shut down and do nothing.
If you've ever been paralyzed while making a decision, it's possible your values were in conflict. Think back to when you've struggled to make a decision and see if it's true.
You need to resolve the two conflicting values. You need to reconcile and bring them to harmony by having a clear picture of how wealth will give you the freedom to have more time with your family. Also creating a plan on how you can spend more quality time with your family while building your wealth.
3. Create an action plan for each value. Imagine one of your values is Health. You could create a wellness plan that incorporates that value. You might plan to start to enroll in a yoga class, meal preparation class, or plan to have time for self-care every day.
4. Make a list of activities you enjoy that are in alignment with your values. For example, if your spirituality is important to you, you could find an enjoyable way to spend time in a church organization or join a meditation group. If serving others is a value you cherish, you could volunteer in a cause you love.
5. Examine yourself at the end of each day. Think about the instances when you failed to live according to your values. Likewise, contemplate the times you were able to live according to your values, particularly when doing so was challenging.
Create a self-image that is in alignment with your values.
Be bold enough to choose the person you want to become and live accordingly. The benefits are enormous.
What are your values? Do you need help in finding your Core Values?
Do you desire to accept, love and live your authentic self and be free to express your individuality but do not know how?
Register in my Course 'The Self-Love Blueprint: 6 Steps to a Happy, Confident, & Empowered You! Click the link to know more.
Dolly Oksman is the Founder of Love. Heal. Believe. Holistic Health Wellness. She is a Special Education Teacher, Behavior Analyst & Certified Wellness and Self-Love Coach.
Dolly recovers from her struggle for having a very low self-esteem that caused her so much stress and affects her over all well-being. Now Dolly support women who are stressed and emotionally overwhelmed to rekindle the joy in helping others by showing them how to love themselves and connect with God.
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