b'| SELF CARE GUIDESelf Esteem: Its Still Alive and WellWhats more, its crucial to professional competency, performance, and emotional HealthBy Dr. Steve SobelT his is a subject I love covering throughon any given day you should not forget themay repeat several times slowly I am capa-my writing and speaking to healthlittle things that you accomplished or con- ble of making good things happen today. It professionals. I have been presentingtributed on and off the job. Self esteem isis as simple as thatthe affirmation does this topic for over 30 years at conferences,built daily by your small acts and by notnot have to be pinpoint specific. Your brain events, team meetings, and I speak oftenautomatically becoming negative or down- will connect that affirmation to the tasks/about it as a featured guest on television andcast when things do not work out for you inresponsibilities ahead. Couple the verbal radio. I have also written many columns onan exact manner. repeating of affirmations with a few good, it for newspapers and newsletters.You are able to go with the flow know- relaxed deep breaths of about five seconds Today, I want to give you some verying that every day, if you choose to, you canor so. important bullet points about self esteemallow small things to whittle away at howI like to repeat the affirmation perhaps and how it impacts your professional andyou feel about yourself. In some respects you3-4 times a day. I invite you to write to me personal life. My bullet points are not in anyhave to be, although it sounds corny, to bewith your challenges and I can create sen-priority order, so they can be digested one at ayour own cheerleader. sible, easy-to-apply affirmations and email time and comfortably. Lets get moving here! 2) Use affirmations to strengthen yourthem back to you. Be as specific as you can 1) I define self esteem as IALAC, mean- capacity to have high levels of self esteem.with your challenges ahead, whether short ing that I have feelings of being lovable andWhether I work with health professionalsor long term. Remember one simple princi-capable. Your first priority is to see yourselfone on one or with top-level athletes, I knowple of mental conditioningwhat you think as fit to be loved and valued as the personhow powerful carefully structured affirma- about expands affirmations by nourishing you are. Some say this defines that elusivetions can be.your positive approach to things. Optimism word essenceyou accept the idea that weFor example, if you are anticipating aruns through every affirmation.ISTOCKall have strengths and weaknesses and thatparticularly busy and challenging day, you3) Self esteem is often punctured by our www.elitecme.com |2020| SELF CARE GUIDE 11'