Here are some daily habits that can elevate our self-concept:
Practice Self-Compassion
Practicing self-compassion involves treating oneself with kindness, understanding, and acceptance, particularly in times of difficulty or failure. Research has shown that self-compassion is associated with numerous positive outcomes, including improved mental health, greater life satisfaction, and better relationships. Additionally, practicing self-compassion has been linked to a more positive self-concept.
Self-compassion helps individuals develop a more realistic and positive view of themselves by reducing self-criticism and self-judgment. Instead of being overly critical of themselves for their mistakes or failures, individuals who practice self-compassion can acknowledge their shortcomings with kindness and understanding. This can lead to a more compassionate and accepting attitude toward oneself, which can contribute to a more positive self-concept.
One study found that self-compassion was positively associated with self-esteem, self-efficacy, and subjective well-being, and negatively associated with depression, anxiety, and stress (Neff & McGehee, 2010).
Another study found that self-compassion was associated with a more positive body image, even among individuals with body dissatisfaction (Wasylkiw, MacKinnon, & MacLellan, 2012).
Practicing self-compassion can also help individuals cope with setbacks and challenges, which can contribute to a more positive self-concept. One study found that individuals who practiced self-compassion were better able to cope with a stressful life event and had more positive views of themselves following the event (Leary et al., 2007).
Practicing self-compassion can benefit one’s self-concept by reducing self-criticism and judgment, increasing self-acceptance and self-compassion, and improving one’s ability to cope with setbacks and challenges. These benefits can contribute to a more positive and resilient self-concept, which can lead to greater happiness, well-being, and success in various domains of life.
Set Achievable Goals
Setting achievable goals is an effective way to elevate our self-concept. When we set goals that are within our reach, we are more likely to achieve them, which can boost our confidence and self-esteem. In addition, setting achievable goals helps us to focus our efforts and make progress toward the things we want to accomplish.
Research has shown that setting achievable goals is an important component of success in a variety of areas, including academic achievement, sports performance, and job performance. A study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology found that goal setting was positively related to job performance, especially when goals were specific and challenging, but still achievable (Locke & Latham, 2002).
Another study found that goal-setting was positively related to academic achievement, especially when goals were moderately difficult and feedback was provided on progress toward those goals (Zimmerman & Kitsantas, 1997).
Setting achievable goals can also help us to develop a more positive self-concept by giving us a sense of control over our lives. When we set goals, we are actively working toward something that we want to achieve, which can give us a sense of purpose and direction. Additionally, achieving our goals can reinforce our belief in our abilities and potential.
However, it’s important to note that setting goals that are too challenging or unrealistic can have the opposite effect on our self-concept. When we set goals that are too difficult or unattainable, we may feel discouraged or defeated when we are unable to achieve them. This can lead to negative self-talk and a decrease in self-esteem. Therefore, it’s important to set goals that are challenging but still achievable.
Focus On Your Strengths
What are your strengths? Focusing on them is an effective way to elevate our self-concept. When we focus on our strengths, we are more likely to feel confident, capable, and positive about ourselves. In addition, focusing on our strengths can help us to identify areas where we excel, which can lead to greater success and fulfillment in various areas of our lives.
Research has shown that focusing on our strengths can have a positive impact on our self-concept. A study published in the Journal of Positive Psychology found that focusing on one’s strengths was associated with greater happiness and life satisfaction (Govindji & Linley, 2007). Another study found that focusing on one’s strengths was associated with better performance in academic and work settings (Linley, Nielsen, Gillett, & Biswas-Diener, 2010).
Focusing on our strengths can also help us to develop a more positive self-concept by shifting our focus away from our weaknesses and limitations. When we focus on our weaknesses, we may feel inadequate or discouraged, which can lead to negative self-talk and a decrease in self-esteem. However, when we focus on our strengths, we are more likely to feel optimistic about ourselves.
It’s important to note that focusing on our strengths does not mean ignoring our weaknesses or areas where we need to improve. Rather, it means recognizing our strengths and using them to overcome our weaknesses and achieve our goals. By focusing on our strengths, we can develop a more balanced and realistic view of ourselves, which can contribute to greater confidence and resilience.
By recognizing and utilizing our strengths, we can develop a more positive and balanced self-concept, which can contribute to greater happiness and success in various areas of our lives.
Surround Yourself With Positive People
Surrounding yourself with the right people can have a significant impact on your self-concept. Our social environment plays a critical role in shaping how we see ourselves, our beliefs, and our behaviors. Being around positive, supportive, and encouraging people can boost our self-esteem, increase our confidence, and elevate our self-concept. On the other hand, being around negative, critical, or unsupportive people can undermine our self-esteem, decrease our confidence, and lower our self-concept.
Research has shown that social support can have a positive impact on our self-concept. A study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that having a supportive social network was associated with greater self-esteem (Heatherton & Polivy, 1991). Another study found that social support was a significant predictor of positive self-concept among adolescents (Vida & Cramer, 2016).
Surrounding yourself with the right people can also help you to develop more positive and realistic beliefs about yourself. When we are around people who believe in us, appreciate our strengths, and provide positive feedback, we are more likely to see ourselves in a positive light. This, in turn, can lead to increased confidence, motivation, and a more optimistic outlook on life.
It’s important to note that surrounding yourself with the right people doesn’t mean surrounding yourself with people who always agree with you or never challenge you. Rather, it means surrounding yourself with people who respect you, supports you, and help you grow. These people may challenge you, provide constructive feedback, and help you develop new skills and perspectives, but they do so positively and encouragingly.
Get the right people in your corner. By choosing to surround yourself with positive and supportive people, you can create a social environment that nurtures and enhances your sense of self-worth and confidence.
Practice Gratitude
Practicing gratitude can have a significant impact on our self-concept. Gratitude is the act of acknowledging and appreciating the good things in our lives, both big and small. When we focus on what we are grateful for, we cultivate a positive mindset and increase our sense of well-being. This, in turn, can lead to a more positive self-concept.
Research has shown that practicing gratitude can increase our self-esteem and self-worth. A study published in the Journal of Applied Sport Psychology found that athletes who practiced gratitude had higher self-esteem than those who did not (Bono et al., 2010).
Another study found that participants who wrote letters of gratitude experienced an increase in self-worth and decreased symptoms of depression (Toepfer et al., 2012).
Practicing gratitude can also help us to see ourselves in a more positive light. When we focus on what we are grateful for, we shift our attention away from negative thoughts and emotions and focus on the positive aspects of our lives. This can lead to increased feelings of self-acceptance, self-love, and self-compassion.
There are many ways to practice gratitude, such as keeping a gratitude journal, writing thank-you notes, or by spending some time daily on reflections of gratitude. By incorporating gratitude into your daily routine, you can cultivate a more positive and grateful mindset, which can lead to an elevated self-concept.
So we can see that by practicing gratitude, we can elevate our self-concept by increasing our self-esteem, helping us see ourselves in a more positive light, and cultivating a positive mindset. By incorporating gratitude into our daily routine, we can improve our overall well-being and develop a stronger sense of self-worth and self-acceptance.
Engage In Self-Care
Engaging in self-care activities can have a positive impact on our self-concept. Self-care refers to any activity that we engage in to take care of our physical, emotional, and mental well-being. When we prioritize our self-care, we are sending a message to ourselves that we are valuable and worthy of care, which can boost our self-esteem and self-worth.
Research has shown that engaging in self-care activities can have a positive impact on our mental health. A study published in the Journal of Counseling Psychology found that engaging in self-care activities was associated with lower levels of depression and anxiety (Zahniser & Rupert, 2012). Another study found that self-care practices were associated with increased well-being and resilience (Greene et al., 2018).
Engaging in self-care activities can also help us to feel more connected to ourselves and our needs. When we take time to care for ourselves, we are better able to understand and meet our own needs, which can lead to increased feelings of self-acceptance and self-love.
There are many ways to engage in self-care, such as getting enough sleep, eating nutritious foods, exercising regularly, practicing mindfulness, and engaging in hobbies or activities that we enjoy. By prioritizing self-care, we can improve our overall well-being and develop a stronger sense of self-worth and self-acceptance.
In summary, engaging in self-care activities can elevate our self-concept by boosting our self-esteem and self-worth, helping us to feel more connected to ourselves and our needs, and improving our mental health. By prioritizing self-care, we can develop a greater sense of self-love and acceptance, which can lead to a more positive and confident self-concept.
