BUILDING A POSITIVE SELF-CONCEPT: Prepared for Big Training/Workshop April 30, 1988

Our "self-concept exerts considerable power over our ability
to achieve career and life goals and develop effective
human relationships."

Our self-concept should be firmly based ... founded on real
capacity, achievement, and respect from others... A. H. Maslow

Our self-concept is the perception and picture we hold of
ourselves. It includes the roles we play in life, our
personality traits, our physical appearances, our skills and abilities.

Our self-concept, "formed in childhood, lays the foundation
for our attitudes towards work, success, personal abilities,
and the roles we play.

Later, in adulthood, our spouses, co-workers, friends,
professional colleagues, may continue to influence our self-
concept by reinforcing a pre-existing negative concept,
or reaffirming the positive image we have already developed.

Our "self-concept influences our career choices and how well we progress."

"If you believe in your power, other people will believe
you and trust you with respect."

Everyone needs to learn how to protect their self-concept
against those who try to diminish or limit their potential
and to listen to those who encourage and challenge them.

By controlling what goes into your subconscious mind, you
can change your self-concept.

CHARACTERISTICS OF A POSITIVE SELF-CONCEPT
Future oriented...Not overly concerned with past mistakes or
failures. Learn from errors and not immobilized by them.

Act on their own best judgment.

Able to deal with problems regardless of the opposition or the
prospects of failure.

Able to establish and maintain effective human relations.

Able to help others, and accept help from others.

Able to accept other people as unique, talented individuals.

Some Approaches To Building A Positive Self-Esteem

1. Accept self as is.

2. Set goals.

3. Use positive motivational affirmations as reinforcements
    towards achieving your idealized self.

4. Make decisions. Take every opportunity to make decisions
    both in setting up goals and devising ways to achieve goals.

5. Visualize the results you want to achieve.

6. Role play. Act the part you want to play before you have
     a chance to play it. Dress according to the image you want to project.

7. Develop expertise in some area.

8. Use reinforcing techniques.

9. Identify and accept own limitations. Continue to learn throughout life.
    Never stop learning!

Source: Effective Human Relations In Organizations
             Barry L. Reece and Rhondos Brandt