How To Improve Your Self Concept

Self concept encompasses beliefs, perceptions and expectations as the core of your self-identity. Although it differs from self-esteem, it does influence your feelings of self-worth and the way you perceive your relationship to the world. The development of the characteristic is greatly influenced by other people in your life, so living in accordance with your beliefs requires that you take the time to truly know yourself.

Development

A child’s self identity generally focuses on simple characteristics, such as hair color and collection of toys, while an adult’s self-identity includes abstract and multifaceted ideas. We grow through the actions we take through various experiences and through the ideas we form from them.

As you look back on your past experiences and the choices you’ve made throughout your life, you will probably see some conflict between your own thoughts on the matters and the opinions you heard from others. How did these conflicts and experiences shape the expectations you have for yourself and others? Do these expectations match your belief system? How well do you identify with the beliefs and actions of those around you? Self-concept determines whether a person feels he belongs in certain social groups, and a clash of beliefs with expectations can create emotional or social turmoil.

Components

This concept is abstract and covers all areas of a person’s role in the world. Your physical appearance is one component of your identity, which can influence your self-esteem and determine the social groups you feel you belong to. Are you an insider? An outsider? As you join groups or identify with others, your mind forms the social component that influences your thoughts and behaviors. It is your academic achievement, though, that forms many of your personal expectations. The academic component is not necessarily focused on your grades—it’s more of a sense of identity that comes from your areas of interest or expertise. Do you excel in the arts? In math?

The beliefs you form through experience and through interactions with others will also influence your relationship to the many mysteries in life. Do you believe in the supernatural? Do you rely on science for explanations?

Conflicts within Concept

A healthy sense of self and level of self-esteem can improve all areas of your life, as it establishes your code of conduct within relationships and increases your motivation to reach for personal goals. Taking the time to reflect on your experiences and to truly know yourself can help you settle conflict between your personal beliefs and what you hear or perceive from others in your life. Ask yourself if your personal identity stems from your inner workings or from what you’ve been told by others. Remember, though, that the middle ground is quite often the most realistic.

Improvement

The difference between improvement of self-esteem and improvement of your own concept of yourself is that the former is an effect brought about by action taken on the latter. When you doubt your ability to do something, positive affirmations or self-talk can help you find the courage to try; but it’s the concrete accomplishment that shapes your true perception of self. Start small, but challenge yourself! Make time to try things that interest you, and take the time to think about its overall effect on your life.

Listen to the positive inner voice and aim to live in a manner that reflects your true beliefs. As you challenge your own ideas and learn from new experiences, you may find that some of your beliefs have changed or that you’ve inadvertently improved your social relationships. A combination of self concept reflection and self-esteem improvement strategies can help you reach seemingly unattainable goals!