We are going to focus on three aspects that make up the overall impression we hold of ourselves. There have been thousands of words written on the subject of self-esteem. Countless seminars, workshops and conferences are held to address a more positive concept of ourselves. But developing a healthier view of ourselves is not as simple as a weekend workshop. We need to peel back the layers of three key areas that build our self image.
First - let's discuss our self-ideal --
Our self-ideal is the future picture we have of ourselves. It is our best-case scenario of the person that we can become. It reflects what we believe is ultimately possible for us to become and do.
Your self-ideal is what your life would look like if everything were perfect for you. It is a composite of all your goals, dreams, aspirations and role models combined into a singular vision that is best thought of as your future picture.
Like a personal GPS device, your self-ideal prompts you unconsciously to make choices and decisions as you navigate your way to your future. Most people have not consciously created their self-ideal and as a result it has developed haphazardly -- it is vague and unclear.
One of the best ways to make the self-ideal both more concrete and more positive is to develop a detailed personal mission statement. This is a conscious, written articulation of your potential as God would have it for you. Your mission statement, along with goals, becomes a physical tool you can use to fine tune the image that you have of yourself in the future. We will talk more about this in future blogs.
Today's exercise:
Write a one or two sentence mission statement that sums up what you believe is your positive purpose in life.
Mission statements are difficult for me because i have no idea sometimes as to who i am because i have been so may different persons to those around me. i am determined to write a mission statement. thank you for giving me this exercise!
ReplyDeleteYou go Mary Kay! You can do it! Just remember the mission statement can evolve as we evolve. Trying to map out your entire life in stone can be overwhelming and probably will keep you frozen in fear. Keep the mission statement centered around what you want and who you are... not specific career goals and such
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