If you have a positive self-image, you focus on the mountain top instead of on the obstacles you may encounter along the way. You remember the satisfaction of succeeding. You see yourself as being able to do. You take responsibility for your own life and do not give in to doubt and fear. You are not afraid of making the wrong choice on your way to where you are going and what you are seeking. You are behind the wheel of your own life; you are responsible for your present and your future.
In addition to these qualities, your positive self-image makes you aware of your capabilities, limitations, and potential. You accept and like yourself. You are capable of planning realistic goals in all aspects of your life. You have your own consistent system of values, but you are able to appreciate the values of others.
You accept the blame and credit for your decisions; with confidence and self-control, you function in diverse settings. Not only are you a self-starter, you have staying power to complete difficult tasks. Because you like yourself, you usually act with modesty and do not feel it necessary to draw attention to yourself.
In all probability, the strongest outgrowth of your positive self-image is that you do better than most people in reaching your innate potential, achieving self-actualization. You attempt to become everything that you are capable of becoming. You concentrate on building up your resources for better meeting your needs and the needs of others.
Positive Self-Image (I like and love myself.)
Do you believe that you have a positive self-image? If so, the following statements should apply to you: You view change and adjustment as opportunities for further development of your well-being. Any problem encountered in personal adjustment are viewed as challenges to your inner strength and not as a threat to your well-being.
You don’t focus on any inadequacies you might have, but you concentrate on what you can do. You realize it is not what you are that holds you back, it is what you think you are not. You centre your attention on any given task; you don’t think about reasons why everything will fail. You live for yourself in order to give yourself to others.
However, you recognize that self-actualization is not an objective in itself, but a product of reaching other life’s goals; you are not self-conscious in your achievements. Self-actualization is not a condition to be reached; it is a continuous process. It is by focusing on your specific goals, activities, interests, and interpersonal affiliations that you come to realize your potential. As a self-actualized person you feel accepted, admired, loved, recognized, understood and respected for what you are.
Record the names of several people you admire. They may be historical figures, living or dead, friends, relatives, co-workers anyone you think highly of. Now write down the qualities you like in these people. Now what do you consider to be your good qualities? Be honest with yourself and make a complete list. Do you have any of the qualities you listed for the people you admire?
Negative Self-Image (If I don’t like myself, how can I expect others to like me?)
Now list what you consider to be your bad qualities. It you have a negative self-image; it will be obvious. You will not only see yourself as less adequate and less acceptable, you will see your peers as less acceptable. In addition, you will show an inefficient and less effective approach to problems you encounter, and less freedom of emotional expression. You lose touch with your strengths, concentrate on your weaknesses, and maintain a rigid, safe outward appearance.
Because you have doubts about yourself and a low estimate of your ability to cope with problems and change, you always have excuses available. It is not uncommon to hear you say, “I don’t have the time;’ or “I’m too busy’,’ when asked to do something that involves a risk to the image you maintain.
You often underestimate your abilities and overestimate the difficulties facing you, and your feelings of inadequacy and nervousness result in underachievement in your endeavours. The negative feelings that you have about yourself probably cause you to be less persistent in trying to reach goals because you believe you have little chance of success.
If you find that many of these descriptions apply to you, you need to better your self-image. Your health program should include goals that lead to a positive self-image
Physical activity and Self-Image
There is ample evidence to support the use of physical activity to improve self-image. Participation in vigorous activity produces physically fit people, and physically fit people are more likely to have a positive self-image. Individuals who have made the commitment to a lifetime of regular physical activity have greater self-confidence, emotional stability, and feelings of self-worth.
Collinwood and Willett found that a program of jogging, calisthenics, and swimming not only increased obese teenagers’ physical fitness, it also improved significantly their self-acceptance and their attitudes toward their bodies. Similar results were seen among college students learning to swim.
Participation in outward bound programs often creates a significant change in young people’s attitudes. They see themselves as more active, stronger, more positive, and less alienated. They begin to see others as individuals in their own right, and they see themselves as having a more mature goal orientation. They have a more positive attitude toward participation and believe they have a greater potential to reach positive goals.
Participation in physical activity can improve the image that you have of your own body. Physically fit individuals, because they have initiative and a sense of power, like their bodies better. Satisfaction with your body-image can improve your self-image.
It appears that challenging goals, which a physical activity program can offer, and the perception of your own physical fitness, are both important aspects of your self-image. Remember, the self-image is changed by doing, not just by thinking. Physical activity may do more to improve your self-image than any other single thing.
