 | Be patient with your self; change
takes time and steadfast work.
|
| Free yourself from “shoulds.” Live
your life on the basis of what is possible for you and what feels
right to you instead of what you or others think you “should” do.
|
| Respect you own needs. Recognize
and take care of your own needs and wants first. Identify what
really fulfills you—not just immediate gratifications. Respecting
your deeper needs will increase your sense of worth and well-being.
|
| Set achievable goals. Establish
goals on the basis of what you can realistically achieve, and then
work step-by-step to develop your potential. To strive for
perfectionist, absolute goals invite stress and failure.
|
| Talk to yourself positively. Stop
listening to your “cruel inner critic.” When you notice that you are
doubting or judging yourself, replace those thoughts with
self-accepting thoughts, balanced self-assessment, and
self-supportive direction.
|
| Test your reality. Separate your
emotional reactions from the reality of your current situation.
|
| Experience success. Seek out and
put yourself in situations in which the probability of success is
high. Look for projects that stretch but don’t overwhelm your
abilities.
|
| Take chances. New experiences are
learning experiences which can build self-confidence.
|
| Solve problems. Don’t avoid
problems but face them and identify ways to solve or cope with them.
|
| Make decisions. Practice making
and implementing positive decisions.
|
| Develop your skills. Know what you
can and can’t do.
|
| Emphasize your strengths. Focus on
what you can do rather than what you cannot.
|
| Rely on your own opinion of
yourself. Listen to feedback from others, but don’t rely on their
opinions.
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