Change your self-image and change your life! ??

Welcome to Quick Confidence! This weekly letter delivers a spritz of stories, tips and actions that will build your confidence and power. Each tip bolsters confidence in your body, mind, and relationships so you can lead yourself and others to greatness. Quick Confidence is also a book! Get your copy to carry confidence wherever you go.

They say a picture is worth 1,000 words. And this image is one such example: A chess pawn reflecting the shadow of...a queen. May we all think so highly of ourselves!

This picture is powerful because it demonstrates how we don’t have to let outward appearances or our perceived “station in life” dictate our self-image.

So my question to you is: What is your self-image like? Do you identify more with the queen chess piece? Aware of your ability to make power moves in the game of life.?Or do you see yourself as more of a pawn? Easily overcome by others with limited possibilities.

You may be thinking that a person’s self-image is private. But since confidence is linked to self-image, it won’t take long for others to figure out what you really think of yourself.?

Do you walk into rooms in an assured, confident, and friendly way? Do others view you as someone comfortable taking risks and willing to bet on yourself??

Or do you avoid eye contact, and downplay your ideas? Do you lack confidence in your own abilities and disqualify yourself from opportunities because of it?

See what I mean? It's not difficult to identify people with a positive self-image from those who don't

Beyond affecting your confidence, your self-image is like a self-fulfilling prophecy. That’s because the beliefs you hold about yourself (and the world in general) tend to beget people and situations that affirm those beliefs.

If you feel your self-image could use some work, no problem! You can actively steer your self-perception in a positive direction. Here’s some advice to help you do just that.

Quick Confidence Tips for Creating a Strong Self-Image:

1. Mindset: Whether you believe you can or you can’t, you’re right. Have you ever met someone who seems to effortlessly attract opportunity after opportunity? Or who fearlessly takes risks that you’d never dream of? Well chances are they weren’t born with innate good luck and superhero-like bravery. What they have is belief in themselves and in the fact that the world won’t end if they make a mistake. This allows them to make the type of bold move that leads to great rewards. For example, let’s say your manager wants to send you on an assignment in a foreign country.?Deep down you think you’d love such an experience, but if your self-image is one of a vulnerable and insecure person, you might see the trip as dangerous or uncomfortable and decline the offer. On the other hand, if your self-image is of a resourceful, adaptable grownup who can navigate the unknown, you might see the trip as an exciting adventure, knowing you'll figure things out as you go. It's important to realize how much your actions are driven by your belief in whether you can or can’t do something!
2. ?Interpersonal: The relationships you have with others are a mirror of the relationship you have with yourself. One indicator of a healthy self-image is in our ease and willingness to interact with and make friends. So if you think you don’t have a lot to offer others or that you’re boring, you might avoid socializing and going to parties where you don’t know many people. But, if you think you have plenty of positive traits and interesting perspectives, you’re more likely to feel emboldened to go out and make new connections! Your self-perspective also influences the *quality* of relationships in your life and the kind of treatment you receive from others. So, examine the relationships in your life and ask yourself if they reflect healthy, empowered patterns. And invest in creating more of them!?
3. Embodied: See yourself as an active participant in your life. Your self-image is important because it predicts how bold your actions in life will be. Imagine being invited on a ski-trip with friends but you opt out because you forecast that you’ll be hopeless and uncoordinated on the slopes. In contrast, if you see yourself as someone eager to learn new things and open to making mistakes, you’re more likely to accept the invitation to slalom. So instead of “sitting on the sidelines” of life as a passive observer, see yourself as an active participant, it will help you take action.

If you want thought patterns, actions and relationships that enrich your life, then you must start with your self-perception!

I promise, improving your self-image is an investment in yourself that delivers immense returns and one you won’t regret.

Let me know in the comments how you make updates to your self-image.

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