POSITIVE SELF-CONCEPT

Self-concept is determined by the image that one holds about oneself and the feeling that one has about oneself. It is largely a combination of his self-image and self-esteem. It is now a universally proven fact that what one achieves in life is directly proportional to one’s self-concept. Human beings have infinite potential, but in actuality, only a small percentage of this potential is used by most human beings.

Self-actualization is a comprehensive in-depth mechanism to enhance one’s understanding and the level of self-concept in a human being.

The term “self-actualization” means the ability to use the inherent potential of a human being. It all starts with the concept of self-acceptance. It is very essential for a human being to be OK with themselves and to accept themselves as they are. One may be physically tall or short, slim or fat, fair or dark, etc. It is very essential that we accept ourselves as we are and be totally OK with ourselves.

This is the first step towards growth and progress. Most human beings live in a state of not being OK with who they are and keep on self-criticizing by comparing themselves to others on the various attributes of life. To elevate one’s self-acceptance, one needs to consciously focus on one’s strengths, achievements, and accomplishments. It is a known fact that where focus goes, energy flows, and results manifest. It is also important to realize that no human being is perfect, and all of us are a work in progress. Remember, perfection is an illusion, and progress is what we are aspiring for. These thoughts will help us to control our inner dialogue or little voice and lead to self-acceptance.

The next step in the cycle is self-worth. Self-acceptance leads to self-worth, which is nothing but how valuable one estimates and considers oneself. The higher one is OK about themselves, the higher one’s value of themselves is. Self-worth leads to self-esteem, which is nothing but how one feels about oneself. The higher one’s self-acceptance and selfworth, the higher their self-image is, leading to a higher self-esteem. This automatically leads to the next step of self-belief. Beliefs are the thoughts that you consider to be the truth. As per the BAFAR principles, your beliefs lead you to your attitude, to your feelings, to your actions and results. Hence, one’s self-belief determines one’s level of results. You would achieve 100% of your mindset, which predominantly comprises your beliefs. A positive self-belief leads to a higher self-confidence. Self-confidence is the ability to have the feeling of assuredness to produce the result and is very crucial to achieving predetermined results. The higher your self-confidence, the higher the result. A higher self-confidence also motivates a person to try out new innovative methods and out-of-the box thinking and actions. Higher self-confidence leads to higher selfcompetence, capability and capacities. This leads to actualizing the dormant potential of human beings to the next level.

This is one forward cycle of self-actualization. Even the reverse cycle works starting from self-competence, where one is totally aware of one’s area of competence and is in constant acknowledgment and appreciation of the competencies leading to higher self-confidence, to self-belief, to self-esteem, to self-worth, and to self-acceptance.

It is a known fact that one achieves 100% of one’s mindset. This means that you will achieve whatever you believe. Research shows that in less than five years most of the lottery prize winners become poorer economically than they were before winning the lottery prize. This is because their mindsets and beliefs are not wired to handle wealth, and they splurge and dissipate their wealth. Similarly, in the sales field, a salesperson achieves the sales he believes to be possible. The sales match how much he feels he is capable of achieving. If his self-concept is of having a mediocre performance, then however good the market conditions are, he will still produce a mediocre result. Every master salesperson is first and foremost proud to be a salesperson. He realizes the importance and significance of sales as a business function. He is proud of his organization and has belief in the products and services his organization is selling. The factors are what give him the confidence to present the products and services with conviction, thereby achieving the desired predetermined results.

Someone who personifies positive self-concept is India’s topmost orthopedic surgeon and knee specialist, Dr. Milind Raghunath Sawant. He is the chairman and director of Orthomax Super Specialty Centre, Mumbai. Internationally acclaimed, Dr. Milind is double FRCS, FCPC ORTH, Diplomat National Board ORTH and has twice been the winner of the prestigious Gerald Golden Prize, UK, and was also shortlisted for The President’s Millennium Prize 2000 by the Royal Society of Medicine, England. He has pioneered specialized techniques in knee surgery that have been a breakthrough in the field of knee surgery. Dr. Milind has been a personal inspiration for me as I see that whatever project he takes up, he is able to touch excellence. He is so supremely confident in himself and his capabilities that he accomplishes results with consummate ease and grace. This is done with great humility, humanness, and balance.

Be it managing his own hospital, leading his department in the leading hospitals, being the organizing secretary of Western India Regional Orthopedic Conference, leading, participating in, and managing family functions, Dr. Milind is always a picture of poise, grace, absolute control, and balance. This emanates from his total self-acceptance, great self- worth, self-belief, and self-confidence. An event in his life truly exemplifies this great inherent quality in him. Dr. Milind always wanted to be an engineer and after the 12th standard secured admission to the prestigious IIT, Mumbai through the most competitive Joint Entrance Examination. However, after about two weeks at IIT, the Medical College admission list came out, and he got admission to the Grant Medical College, Mumbai, again the most prestigious and competitive admission in the medical education field. As there were no doctors in the family, there was a lot of pressure from his relatives for him to give up IIT and shift to medicine. His willingness to be open to ideas and great confidence, trust, belief in himself, even at that young age, saw him giving up his seat at IIT and taking up medicine as the elders in his family wished. He went on to become one of the topmost orthopedic surgeons in India and in the world.

I for one feel that even if Dr. Milind had pursued engineering at IIT, he would have become one of the topmost engineers in his chosen field globally. Dr. Milind truly exemplifies that universally approved human relation principle that whatever you achieve in your life is directly proportionate to your self-concept and self-belief.

************************************************

This article comes from one of the topics from Dr. Arunaagiri's best-selling book 'The Sales Master' in which he states the 21 key elements to win the game of life & selling.

The book is available on Amazon here:?https://www.amazon.in/dp/1772046906/

************************************************

Dr. Arunaagiri Mudaaliar is a best-selling author having authored several self-help books like 'Unleash your Potential', 'Being Customer Centric', 'Jogging for Life Success', 'Pathway to Sales Mastery', etc...

He is also a passionate global trainer, an international sportsman and a successful industrialist.

Know more about him here: www.arunagiri.co.in

Follow him on Facebook here: facebook.com/authorarunagiri

************************************************?