Education & Career Trends: May 26, 2024
Curated by the Knowledge Team of ICS Career GPS
- Excerpts are taken from an article by Stephen Sideroff, published on psychologytoday.com.
Many of us struggle with self-acceptance, often expecting negative judgments from others or fixating on our own mistakes and shortcomings. We believe that being hard on ourselves will motivate us to do better, but this and other myths keep us chasing an unrealistic ideal.
While striving to improve is important, it’s crucial to recognise that in this moment, you can only be who you are. Choosing to accept and love yourself is the foundation for personal transformation.
Starting with Self-Acceptance
Every journey, whether physical or personal, begins with understanding where you are right now. An honest appraisal of your current state is like looking at a map to find your starting point before planning your route. This initial recognition is crucial because it sets the stage for progress. Acceptance is akin to planting your feet firmly on the ground, providing a solid foundation from which to push forward.
Measuring Your Growth
Knowing where you stand allows you to notice and appreciate your growth and improvement. This awareness builds self-trust and self-confidence. Each step forward feels like an achievement, motivating you to continue. In contrast, being overly critical and expecting yourself to be further along diminishes the impact of your progress and makes it hard to appreciate your efforts.
Practicing Self-Compassion
Self-acceptance means being okay with who you are, flaws and all. It doesn’t mean ignoring your weaknesses but acknowledging them without negative judgments. It’s like looking in the mirror and saying, “I’m not perfect, but I’m doing my best, and that’s good enough.”
Consider the alternative: being upset about your lack of progress only makes things worse. You’re not any further along, and now you’re also angry with yourself. This negativity undermines your confidence and creates greater fear the next time you try to make an effort. Instead, try shifting to compassion. When you feel like you’re not good enough, be compassionate towards yourself, just as Ram Das suggested when he encountered closed-minded individuals.
Building a Positive Mindset
Self-acceptance fosters a positive mindset. Instead of dwelling on your shortcomings, focus on your strengths or what you need to do to develop greater strength. Dwelling on shortcomings creates unnecessary obstacles to growth and development. Think of focusing on shortcomings as digging yourself into a hole—you first have to get out of the hole before continuing on your journey. With acceptance, you’re already on the path, making progress easier to achieve and see.
From Positive Mindset to Growth Mindset
To make self-acceptance effective, combine it with a growth mindset. An honest look at yourself will reveal both strengths and weaknesses. With a growth mindset, any shortcoming becomes a call to action to address and improve upon it. If you feel stuck or struggle to reach the next level, combining acceptance with a growth mindset can make all the difference.
The Path Forward
As you continue on your journey, be kind to yourself. Celebrate your successes, no matter how small, and learn from your mistakes without dwelling on them. By practicing self-acceptance and self-compassion, you pave the way for a brighter and more fulfilling future.
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Have you checked out yesterday’s blog yet?
5 Job Trends in Agriculture & Agrochemicals You Should Know About
(Disclaimer: The opinions expressed in the article mentioned above are those of the author(s). They do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of ICS Career GPS or its staff.)
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