What do you think about yourself? What do you see when you look in the mirror? What mental picture forms when you picture yourself in your head? Ho w much respect fo you give yourself?
How you answer indicates your levels of self-image, self-concept, and self-esteem. Each is slightly different and used interchangeably in some mainstream press. Click here for an in-depth on the difference (Ackerman, 2018).
The bottom line is what you think and feel about yourself determines your success in work and non-work situations. Over the past few weeks I’ve talked about the skin-brain connection, and the skin-self-image connection. Let’s reinforce why self-image (and esteem and concept) are so important for everyone, especially the business professionals I often work with.
SELF-IMAGE IS THE SECRET SUCCESS SAUCE
Ample research shows that self-image affects work performance. Age-based self-image affects entrepreneurial intentions (Kautonen et al., 2015). Positive self-image affects the intention, performance, and role stress of women entrepreneurs (Kotarski, 1987).
It’s not just entrepreneurs though. The research is clear that how you think about yourself, and what you think of yourself affects academic performance, family performance, friendship performance, employee performance, and managerial performance (Ackerman, 2018; Cleveland Clinic, 2020; NHS, 2020).
This is why I am so passionate about working with individuals to understand that investing in themselves isn’t a luxury or vanity. Self-investment is part of their job, and more than that it is their right as a human being to achieve high self-esteem and a positive self-image.
But let’s focus on the job-aspect, because I imagine that is going to get more buy-in than something as “soft” as “it’s my right as a human to practice self-care.” This is particularly true among women, who are notorious for putting themselves last.
Self-image affects how well you see yourself. It will affect if you pitch is confident enough to close the sale, your interview is confident enough to land the job, your ask is confident enough to secure the raise. It will determine how you show up and even whether you show up, affecting the trajectory of your professional life.
Self-image is shaped by learning. Early experiences influence the image we create of ourselves. These can form positive beliefs or limiting beliefs. For example, a child with psoriasis could be teased and be made to feel ugly. That child might grow up to feel ashamed of their skin, and believe that it makes them unattractive. They then might shy away from opportunities that put them in the spotlight, leaving talents and skills untapped.
Everyone has limiting beliefs. Not everyone is astute enough to realize this, though, and even fewer are willing to do the work to break free of them.
Negative self-image can cause irrelevant, inappropriate, or inaccurate images, values, and beliefs to be incorporated into what you think of yourself. Not only your appearance but your potential.
This is why professionals studying individuals and business performance believe self-image is a critical, and over-looked, indicator of success. Thankfully, you can improve your self-image and self-esteem. They aren’t exactly skills, but you can think of them that way because it is possible to master having a positive outlook for both.
HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR SELF-IMAGE/SELF-ESTEEM
Like anything, the first step to improving the image you have for yourself is to recognize what you currently believe about yourself. Then, you have to make a decision to change it. You can’t just wish for it to be different, you have to decide to actually do the work (Ackerman, 2018; Cleveland Clinic, 2020; NHS, 2020).
This might mean working with a therapist to confront distorted thinking patterns and explore labels placed on you in childhood.
Practice positive affirmations
Practice self-compassion
Make a list of everything you are good at
Make a list of everything you love about yourself
Make a list of 5 achievements you take pride in
Make a list of everything you are grateful for
References
Ackerman, C. E. (2018, December 22). What is self-image and how do we improve it? definition + quotes. PositivePsychology.com. Retrieved May 29, 2022, from https://positivepsychology.com/self-image/#meaning-self-image
Cleveland Clinic. (2020, November 24). Positive self-image: How to improve self- and body-image. Cleveland Clinic. Retrieved May 29, 2022, from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/12942-fostering-a-positive-self-image
Kautonen, T., Hatak, I., Kibler, E., & Wainwright, T. (2015). Emergence of entrepreneurial behaviour: The role of age-based self-image. Journal of Economic Psychology, 50, 41–51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.joep.2015.07.004
Kotarski, J. E. (1987). The influence of the self-image on the behaviour of entrepreneurial women (T). University of British Columbia. Retrieved from https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/ubctheses/831/items/1.0097238
NHS. (2020, February 6). Raising low self-esteem. NHS choices. Retrieved May 29, 2022, from https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/tips-and-support/raise-low-self-esteem/
