Don't be Afraid To Make Mistakes
Self esteem Newsletter Issue # 65
Most people are their own worst critic. That inner critic can be a devastating force if allowed to become out of control. Questioning your abilities as a person can be detrimental to self-esteem and confidence. It can also affect your physical and mental well being causing depression, worry and lack of confidence. However, making mistakes is a natural part of living and humans are far from being perfect. Accepting the fact that perfection will always be out of reach is truly the only option. If you allow fear to drive you, are afraid to try new things or feel ashamed that you are not perfect, then you are probably also hindered with low self-esteem.
Past experiences play a vital role in self-esteem. Negative experiences and events can prevent someone with low confidence from trying new things. Being able to learn from past mistakes and continuing to create new experiences is imperative to living life to its fullest. Keep in mind that mistakes keep us on our toes and prevent us from becoming complacent. Use past mistakes as a learning experience and evaluate the outcome thoroughly.
Take risks. Life is like a roller coaster. It lifts you up, drops you down and flips you upside down sometimes. It is only once in a while that the Great Track Keeper will light a match to show you the way. If you are simply coasting through life without any bumps in the road, then you are truly not living. Taking a new turn, whether it is the right or wrong one will allow you to take on new challenges and experience life from a different perspective.
Make your own decisions. Do not allow yourself to live life through someone else just because you are afraid of making a mistake. Having someone make decisions for you inhibit who you are as a person. Believe in yourself and maintain a can-do attitude. Literally telling yourself that you have the ability to accomplish anything you set your mind to can ultimately change your perspective. Soon, you will start believing in yourself and begin facing new challenges and experiences. Break out of your comfort zone and push straight through fears of self-defeat.
Taking life to your fullest potential and accepting the mistakes you have made can help you grow as a person. Know that mistakes are a part of being human. Without them, life would be a dull, robotic existence without variation. Do not emphasis on your weaknesses but focus on your strengths. Appreciate the past for what it is and try to analyze what you would have done differently. Write it down so that if you are confronted with the same situation, you will know what type of attitude to take and how to conquer the problem.
All best wishes ,
Carla Valencia
Building Self Esteem
