I’m very much affected by language. Words have immense power. What you say about yourself is of primary importance; the words you use to describe yourself are basic to the way you function in the world.
This basic approach to defining who you are includes knowing what you stand for and what your unique characteristics are.
Your sense of who you are includes—
Your perception of your personality traits
What you think your abilities are
Your belief system
What motivates you
Your experiences
Of course to get to ‘I Am,’ you also need to identify what you're not. It’s important not to limit yourself in negative ways.
When you tell yourself stories about mis-steps you’ve taken along the way, the tendency is to behave as if these are defining characteristics and not mistakes you can learn from.
If you feel that you’re stuck in patterns of behavior that don’t serve you, try to dismantle those behaviors in bite-sized chunks. For example, if you find that you often compare yourself to others, replace those thoughts with a positive trait about yourself. This pattern interrupt, over time, will lead to new, more positive, patterns of thought.
How people perceive you only defines you in their eyes. But how you develop as an individual depends on how you define yourself.
One of the most widely accepted frameworks of self-concept was developed by psychologist Carl Rodgers. He broke self-concept into three main components.
Ideal self: your vision and ambitions of who you want to be
Real self ( self-image ): how you currently see and perceive yourself
Self-esteem: how much worth and value you believe you have
Carl Rodgers also put together a framework called the ‘self-preservation theory.’ In this framework four concepts of the self exist:
Public self: your view of yourself as defined by other people’s public knowledge of you
Self-concept: who you believe you are
Actual or behavioral self: the self created by your actions and habits
Ideal self: the self you aspire to be
When you think about the words ‘I Am,’ important things to consider are your core values. Your values lie within, and define what a meaningful life looks like to you. Living your values includes keeping you rooted in your boundaries and giving you a sense of purpose.
The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics lists five core values to help athletics thrive in all areas of their lives:
Integrity
Respect
Responsibility
Sportsmanship and Fairness
Leadership
So, when you think of the words “I Am……,’ pay close attention to the attributes discussed in this article. If you feel the need for an adjustment in your thinking, approach that in small, bite-sized chunks, And, have as your foundation your core values.
When you say ‘I Am……,’ feel the innate strength of who you are.