“Self-esteem is the disposition to experience oneself as being competent to cope with the basic challenges of life and of being worthy of happiness. It is confidence in the efficacy of our mind, in our ability to think. By extension, it is confidence in our ability to learn, make appropriate choices and decisions, and respond effectively to change. It is also the experience that success, achievement, fulfillment – happiness – are right and natural for us.’ Nathaniel Branden
In his book ‘The Six Pillars of Self Esteem’ ,
Nathaniel Branden outlines 6 key elements for self esteem
1 Living consciously- respect for how the world is, the facts of our situation.
2 Self Acceptance- you are who you are warts and all as none of us are perfect.Take responsibility for how you think and feel now in the present.
3 Self Responsibility- you are responsible for where you find yourself today, no one else is to blame. You are responsible for your past and the future you choose to shape.
4 Self Assertiveness- be willing to stand up for what’s important to you. Stop sacrificing yourself for the approval of others. Do the right thing, respecting others in the right way at the right time
5 Live purposefully- identify and shape the future you want everyday being prepared to go back to the drawing board to re focus if needs be.
6 Live with integrity – live and breathe your values. Act with integrity, let the outside of you reflect the inside as you adhere to and model whats important to you.
Simple eh? Every moment of everyday our minds and bodies reflect who we are. Those negative thoughts and feelings, that headache shows you that something isn’t right, something needs your attention. Learning to understand and read your body and mind again is a key element of Cancer Coaching that can serve you well now and into the future. I’m not saying it’s always easy, but it’s always possible, a work in progress as you begin to shape and fine tune how you want your life to be given the reality of where you are starting from -now.
If you’d like to meet for a free, half hour conversation about whether Cancer Coaching can help you, do get in touch.