Self-Esteem and Peak Performance (04.03.2008)
How we view ourselves is of vital importance to our achieving what we want most effectively. Self-esteem especially has a rather central role to achievement, as nicely underscored by an observation of mine. I have noticed that virtually every single self-limiting belief is just a version of feeling 'not good enough'.
If we think that something is entirely beyond our control for example, then what are we saying on another level? That we are 'not good enough' to affect change for the better. There is another level to self-esteem as well. In regards to metaphysics, our self-image is outpictured in our world. Meaning that if we think of ourselves in a certain way, and do so down to a deep subconscious level, then people, places and circumstances in our life mirror that repeated way of thinking. Repeatedly thinking in a certain manner with strongly affirmative feelings creates beliefs, and these are what much of our self-image is based upon.
To realize this is in and of itself already very important,because it gives us some of the awareness necessary to most effectively improve our performance. We need to be aware of how the way we see ourselves is founded on many beliefs to be empowered to change them. As long as we perceive them to be irrefutable facts, we are likely to feel a resistance to change, as it would seem as though we are tricking ourselves.
But so much of what people believe about themselves is based on sheer repetition rather than objective evidence (whatever that may be- but that's the topic of a philosophy discussion).
It's not as though who we are causes us to form certain thoughts and feelings about ourselves. It's primarily the other way around. In the words of Aristotle: “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, then, is not an act, but a habit.” The key word is habit. I would suggest that there are two general ways to feel a greater amount of self-esteem so that we may perform more effectively:
One is via sheer repetition of thought and feeling, so that once the subconscious accepts the new self-image, we become what we repeat. The other revolves around being aware of ourselves to such a great extent that we ca discern the moments when we are looking at ourselves via a belief, rather than an objective fact.
Whichever way may be suitable, one thing is for sure: We will only unfold our true potential when we acknowledge that we have more potential than is at present being used. And to acknowledge that involves the recognition that we are more capable than we thought. There is always more we can do than we are aware of, so it makes sense to keep an open mind. As our sense of possibility regarding our own abilities rises, so does our self-esteem. And then we may start to achieve in ways which previously seemed unaccessible to us. But it just seemed that way.
-Thomas
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