10 Secrets of People with Positive Self Perception

Self-image is defined as the "perception of oneself," according to the Merriam-Webster dictionary. The term dates back to 1678, and it still holds significance today. Why? Because having a good self-image is probably one of the most valuable things we can hope to have in our lives. It’s the foundation of being truly happy with ourselves and living our best possible lives.

We’re all going to be challenged personally and professionally, and we'll perhaps even be put in uncompromising positions that make us question ourselves and second guess who we are and our beliefs. Personality goes into question. That’s when having a positive self-image or self-perception matters most. High self-esteem and good self-perception are what helps us avoid getting crushed by rejection and what motivates us to keep pushing for our dreams. Our feelings and beliefs about ourselves can lift us up, thanks to our high self-esteem. But, when we think negatively and have negative self-talk, we create self-fulfilling prophecies—that's when we need an attitude change, which isn't an easy process.

There's a lot of psychology behind self-esteem and self-concept. Researchers have looked into emotional self-awareness and the ensuing self-fulfilling prophecies for years, by looking at self-report measures and global self-esteem.

Self-image theory or self-perception theory, for example, describes the idea that people are influenced by others and not the result of what they themselves truly want to do. Psychologist Daryl Bem originally developed this theory of attitude formation in the late 1960s and early 1970s. 

A number of studies since have confirmed that self-perception theory exists, and furthermore, that self-perception theory (and positive self-concept or positive self-image) influences us in many unexpected contexts.

In addition to self-concept theory, there's "cultivation theory." It also delves into self-report measures to determine emotional self-awareness.

"If you are the last one chosen for kickball during recess, your peers are giving you an instruction that they don't feel you to be athletic," writes Psychology Today's Michael J Formica. "If your artwork is always chosen to hang in the hallway near the principal's office, your teacher is giving you the instruction that you're artistic. If your mother is constantly harping on you to clean up your room, she is giving you the instruction that you're sloppy. If your school guidance counselor 'dumbs down' the list of colleges and universities to which you selected to apply, s/he is giving you the instruction that you're not so bright.

"These are clumsy examples. But they point to a very important idea. Until we come to an authentic and unclouded idea of who we are, we are only a reflection of the opinions of other people; we are a reflection of what others believe about us, as opposed to what we believe about ourselves. People hand us instructions, hold opinions and pass judgment, and we buy in."

So self-image and self-perception theory play a major role in our lives. Whether your self-image has taken a beating and you’re looking to regain your inner strength, or you’re as positive as can be, it never hurts to check in with yourself and give yourself a tune-up! Here are 10 rules people with good self-images always follow.

While it sounds simple enough, how often have you earned something that you somehow attributed to luck or just being in the right place at the right time? People with a strong self-image positively attribute their accomplishments to their own hard work and efforts.

People with good self-image are present and in the moment. They don’t focus on regrets nor do they spend time longing for a certain kind of future. They are focused on the immediate moment and what they can do right now to help themselves move forward.

If you’re at all prone to dramatizing, you’ll appreciate this. People with positive self-image don’t over exaggerate things. They generally see things as they are without catastrophizing them and have the ability to remain level headed.

It can be hard to do, especially if you’re really disappointed about the outcome of a major event. But people with good self-image don’t have time to dwell on negative outcomes. Instead, they look for the takeaways and for what they can learn from the experience and figure out how to improve upon things for the next time.

This doesn’t mean that people with a positive self-image aren’t emotional. Not at all. What it does mean is that, they aren’t ruled by them and that their relationships with others aren’t at the mercy of their moods.

Grudges and harboring negative feelings doesn’t serve them in any way. They’re skilled at letting go of negativity and making room for more positivity in their lives.

They don’t compare themselves with others. They are happy to be on their path, wherever that may be and are happy to fully own the path as theirs.

I’m not talking about taking time out for a massage, though there’s nothing wrong with that. But people with a good self-image don’t beat themselves up over things that are not in their control.

We’re all striving to better ourselves in various ways, but if we have unrealistic goals we’re in for a lot of disappointment.  

You might be able to have a good self-image without doing all 10 of these things. But if you’re not grateful for what you have, it’s going to be pretty hard to like yourself.