The theme for the month of
June 2013 is Starting Fresh: Back to School and is related to the Fresh
Start June 9th event about women returning to school. The event is
designed for women who are looking to go back to school, whether to pursue a
complete degree program or just for one course.
If you’re considering going back to school,
insecurities can arise about feeling competent, or good enough, to succeed. Low
self-esteem can hold you back from being all that you have the potential to be.
Healthy self-esteem is the
foundation of your life. Whether or not you succeed in reaching your goals
depends on the level of your self-esteem. Feelings of low self-worth and low
self-confidence can hold you back from having all the success that you desire in
your life because unconsciously you feel that you don’t deserve it.
This is because the
hallmark of healthy self-esteem is feeling deserving of having the good things
in life, of meeting your goals, and being successful. Feeling deserving means
you have an expectation that you’ll reach the goals you set if you put in the
effort. If you don’t think you deserve to succeed in school and achieve your
goals, then perhaps you are listening to your negative inner voice and you’ve
tuned out your positive inner voice.
You have two internal
voices, a positive voice and a negative voice. Each is available for you to
listen to at any time. Your positive inner voice is focused on being
encouraging, supportive, and nurturing. When you listen to your positive inner
voice, you’ll hear statements like, “You can do it!” “Go for it!” “You’re a
success!” or “You’ve got what it takes!”
Your negative inner voice
is discouraging, critical, and shaming. When you listen to your negative inner
voice, you’ll hear statements like, “You’ll never succeed!” “Be quiet, no one
wants to hear what you have to say!” “You’re a failure!” or “You’re not smart
enough!”
You can only listen to one
of these voices at any time. It’s your choice which one you listen to and which
one you tune out. If you find your insecurities surfacing, you’ll also hear
your negative inner voice trying to get your attention. Recognize what is
happening and take charge of your life. Turn down the volume on your negative
inner voice in some tangible way. For example, pretend there’s a volume control
on your ear and turn it down … lower … and lower … until you can no longer hear
its negative words.
When you do this – just
like magic – the volume on your positive inner voice will increase! It’s just
waiting to be heard! Try it out when you are feeling discouraged about some
aspect of going back to school. Recognize the voice that sends you the negative
messages and – intentionally – turn it down. I guarantee you that your positive
inner voice, the loving nurturing part of you that is related to healthy
self-esteem, is ready to support you in reaching your goals.
Be all that you can be!
Don’t settle for anything less than having all that you deserve in life.
You’re on the path to
success when you set reasonable goals and are positive, nurturing, and
supportive with yourself on your journey to accomplishing them.
Ellen Diana is a psychologist, author of the Lucky
Dreamer Tip Series, and co-author of the Charge
up Your Life series of self-help books. She has
30 years’ experience working with children, adults, couples, and families in
schools and in private practice in Scottsdale, Arizona. Helping women to evolve
into their best selves through personal growth and self-awareness is a passion
of hers. Ellen raised three successful children as a single parent and so has
special interests in mentoring other women in transition and helping parents to
raise resilient children. Contact Ellen at drdiana@ellendiana.com or through her website www.ellendiana.com
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