5 Toxic Beliefs and How to Overcome them

We all aspire to live a happy, successful, and fulfilling life. But our toxic beliefs hold us back. They sabotage our success and steal our joy.

Toxic beliefs are the negative thoughts and beliefs that we’ve internalized over time. They can be about ourselves, our abilities, or our worth. Sometimes, they are so subtle that we don’t even realize we have them.

Toxic beliefs are the negative thoughts and beliefs that we've internalized over time.

Toxic beliefs are the negative thoughts and beliefs that we've internalized over time.

Toxic beliefs are the negative thoughts and beliefs that you have internalized over time. — Pic courtesy: Wepik.com

Here are some common toxic beliefs and how to overcome them:

1. I’m not enough.

This is not only the most common toxic belief of all but also the most damaging mentally. You believe that you’re not good, smart, or attractive enough. You are not worthy of love and happiness.

Low self-esteem, anxiety, and depression, the side effects of this belief, may prevent you from taking risks and chasing your dreams.

How to overcome it: When such negative thoughts arise, ask yourself if there’s any evidence to support your belief that you’re not enough. Chances are, there isn’t. Focus on your strengths and accomplishments. Remember, you are worthy of love and happiness.

2. I’m too old to learn.

This toxic belief is common among adults. Never postpone learning something new because you think you’re too old. The truth is, you’re never too old to learn. In fact, learning new things can help to keep your mind sharp and prevent cognitive decline.

You may learn anything you want. It depends on how ready and firm you are to learn.

How to overcome it: Identify something you’ve always wanted to learn, and then take the plunge. Enroll in a class, read a book, or watch online tutorials. Keep learning and watch your self- belief grow.

3. I need approval/validation from others.

This toxic belief can lead to a life of people-pleasing and self-denial. If you’re constantly seeking approval from others, you’ll never be truly happy. By all means, seek advice from someone you trust, but decide your own course of action.

The truth is that being happy or successful is not dependent on external validation. Each person has his own set of beliefs aligned with his principles and values. So, just go with your instincts.

How to overcome it: Set boundaries with others. Say no to requests that make you uncomfortable. Focus on your own goals and values, and don’t worry about what other people think.

4. I must be perfect to succeed.

This toxic belief can lead to procrastination. If you believe that you have to be perfect in order to succeed, you’ll never take any risks.

The truth is, perfection doesn’t exist. You are not perfect, but who says anyone else is? And the sooner you accept that, the sooner you can start moving towards your goals. Your success depends on your determination and hard work.

How to overcome it: Mistakes are proof that you are trying. Mistakes teach you where you went wrong so you can improve. Strive for progress, not perfection.

5. It’s not my fault.

This toxic belief can lead to a victim mentality. If you’re always blaming others for your problems, you’ll never take responsibility for your own life. The ability to own up to your mistakes is rare and inspiring. It reflects your strength of character.

How to overcome it: Take responsibility for your actions and choices. Accept your lapses, rectify them, and move on. Focus on what you can control, and don’t worry about what you can’t.

Here are a few tips for shedding your toxic beliefs:

• Identify your toxic beliefs. What are the negative thoughts and beliefs that you keep repeating to yourself? Once you know what your toxic beliefs are, you can start to challenge them.

• Ask yourself if your beliefs are true. Is there any evidence to support your negative beliefs? Or are they simply based on fear or self-doubt?

• Replace your toxic beliefs with positive affirmations. Instead of believing that you’re not good enough, believe that you’re worthy of love and happiness. Instead of believing that you’re too old to learn, tell yourself that you’re capable of learning anything you set your mind to.

• Seek support from others. Talk to a trusted friend or consult a therapist or counselor. They can help you to challenge your toxic beliefs and develop a more positive outlook on life.

It may not be easy to give up your toxic beliefs, but with time and effort, you can do it. You are capable of achieving so much more. Believe in yourself and chase your dreams.

Is there any toxic belief holding you back? How are you trying to overcome it? Share your inspiring story with us.

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How to Handle Challenges like a Champion

“Challenges are what make life interesting. Overcoming them is what makes them meaningful.” – Anonymous

What are challenges?

God throws challenges at you from time to time to test your persistence, fortitude, ability, and self-belief to overcome any hurdles that come in the way of achieving your goal.

A challenge is any difficult task or action that requires great physical or mental effort to perform. It may include overcoming a financial setback, dealing with a health issue, your first public performance, a divorce or finding a suitable job successfully. Life is full of unexpected tough times; and many of them can be difficult to overcome without tenacity, effective survival skills and support.

You may feel like the situation is crumbling around you while the world is indifferent to your troubles. The whole world is against you. You feel helpless and turn into a nervous wreck. But don’t feel defeated – the good news is, you aren’t alone. There are so many other people going through similar distress, each one trying to overcome some challenge or the other. So, never give up. Take inspiration from all the other people who have fought and won their battles.

How to Overcome Challenges

These are a few important things to keep in mind while navigating life’s challenges:

1. Accept the challenge: You must first admit that a problem exists before you can resolve it! Most people ignore the problem that plagues them or worse, don’t even accept that it exists. Although it may bring unpleasant issues to the fore, the important thing is to acknowledge it as real. Accept the fact that you are the only one who can solve your problems so don’t run from the responsibility. Do not procrastinate.

2. Evaluate the facts: Once you are mentally and emotionally prepared to take up the challenge, try and understand the situation fully and figure out the details. Ask yourself: Do I see the situation as it actually exists or am I distorting facts? How big is the problem? Am I blowing things out of proportion? Evaluate these facts and assess the situation in its entirety. But don’t let the enormity of the task overwhelm you. Break up the challenge into smaller tasks. Figure out the finances or other resources you will require.

3. Evaluate the possibilities: Ensure that you explore all the possibilities to solve your issue or overcome the challenge. There may be several options available which you can use, but it is up to you to decide which is the best one or the one that suits you the most according to the specific situation. You may need to explore more than one path to reach your goal. Trust your instinct, judgment, and abilities in handling the situation.

4. Ask for help: Once you understand the problem and evaluate the facts and possibilities, you may require help. Talk to someone who has experienced a similar situation, join an online community, read up the particular matter in a book or online, talk to your parents, children or friends. Put aside your ego. Take advice as and when required to continue making progress. But always bear in mind, it is your problem, you will have to solve it.

5. Take action: The most vital step after charting out a plan is to act on it. Once you’ve decided what needs to be done, be prompt in taking action. Make sure it is broken down into smaller tasks so that you don’t feel overwhelmed. Set a time limit for each task. Begin with the simplest task so that you gain confidence. Ensure that you don’t give up until the hurdle is crossed.

6. Change your perception: If you suddenly realize that things are not going how you want them to, it’s okay. Don’t panic. Remain positive. Try to alter your perception and view the situation from a fresh perspective. You will be able to approach the task with enthusiasm.

7. Don’t give up: Don’t be discouraged if you go wrong or suffer a reversal in any of your tasks leading up to your goal. At least, you will have learned a lesson from the setback. This will help you to improve your future efforts and eventually you will achieve success. The important thing is, never become so disheartened or disappointed that you give up. Rectify your mistakes and start again.

8. Be flexible: Whenever you feel that your chosen path is not giving you the outcome you expect, don’t be rigid. Be flexible. If required, you must be able to alter the plan or even change the entire plan itself at any point, if required. Don’t worry about it or blame yourself for it. It’s normal. The point is, your actions should be meaningful. If you’re going nowhere with them, then ditch them.

9. Believe in yourself: Since you have accepted the challenge, you must be mentally, emotionally, financially and physically prepared to meet it. Don’t overthink. You must have the self-belief and confidence that you will surely overcome all obstacles and emerge successful in reaching your goal.

10. Be grateful: Above all, be grateful that God has chosen you and given you the ability to take up the challenge. It’s because He believes in you, much more than you believe in yourself.

So, how do you handle challenges in your life?Share your experiences with us.

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Start Your Week Right: 10 Powerful Monday Motivation Quote

Monday – a day that is definitely not looked forward to, being the start of the workweek and the end of the weekend. But do you know that Mondays could be your secret weapon for success? With the right mindset and a dose of motivation, you can turn Monday into a day of opportunity, productivity, and inspiration.

To help you do just that, I’ve gathered 10 powerful Monday motivation quotes that will ignite your inner fire and set the tone for a fantastic week ahead.

1. “The secret to getting ahead is getting started.” – Mark Twain

It all begins with taking that first step. Don’t wait for the perfect moment; create it and start working towards your goals today.

2. “Your Monday morning thoughts set the tone for your whole week. See yourself getting stronger, and living a fulfilling, happier, and healthier life.” – Germany Kent

Your thoughts have incredible power. Visualize success, and you’ll be more likely to achieve it.

3. “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.” – Zig Ziglar

Perfection isn’t the goal. Progress is. Start where you are and work your way up.

4. “The future depends on what you do today.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Your actions today will lay the foundation for a better tomorrow. Make them count.

5. “Opportunities don’t happen. You create them.” – Chris Grosser

Waiting for opportunities to knock on your door won’t bring you success. Take the initiative and create your own opportunities.

6. “The only way to do great work is to love what you do.” – Steve Jobs

Passion fuels excellence. Find joy in your work, and you’ll achieve greatness.

7. “Success is not final, failure is not fatal: It is the courage to continue that counts.” – Winston Churchill

Don’t be discouraged by setbacks. Keep moving forward with determination.

8. “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” – C.S. Lewis

Age is just a number. Embrace change, set new goals, and keep dreaming.

9. “Believe you can, and you’re halfway there.” – Theodore Roosevelt

Confidence in yourself is the key to overcoming challenges and achieving your dreams.

10. “Each morning brings a hidden blessing; a blessing which is unique to that day and which cannot be kept or re-used. If you do not use this blessing, it will be lost.” – Paulo Coelho

Every day is a gift. Approach each new week as a fresh opportunity to make the most of your life. Remember, success is not a one-time event. It is a series of small, consistent efforts.

Incorporate these Monday motivation quotes into your routine, and you’ll find Mondays becoming a source of inspiration rather than dread. You’ll be better equipped to tackle challenges and seize opportunities as they come your way.

Mondays are not the enemy; they are the gateway to a new week filled with potential and possibilities. Adopting the right mindset and these 10 powerful Monday motivation quotes as your guide, start your week on the right track and achieve greatness. So, go ahead and make this week your best one yet!

Feel free to use this blog post as a source of motivation and inspiration to kickstart your week!

Comment below which one of these quotes inspires you the most or share any other.

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12 Powerful Habits to Increase Mental Strength and Resilience

More often than not, we face challenges that test our resilience. Whether dealing with adversity, pursuing our dreams, or simply striving for personal growth, mental strength is the foundation of success. But I’ve realized through several personal experiences that mental strength isn’t an inborn trait; it’s something that can be developed through a determined mindset.

Let’s explore the habits that can help you become better equipped to face life’s trials.

1. Embrace a Positive Mindset:

When I experience a crisis, I believe in optimism. I try to replace negative self-talk with empowering affirmations. I understand it’s difficult, but a positive mindset is the foundation of mental strength. Limit your exposure to negative news, toxic people, and self-doubt. Surround yourself with constructive influences to maintain your mental strength.

2. Face Your Fears:

Step out of your comfort zone regularly. Do what you never had the courage to try earlier; doesn’t matter if you fail or face criticism. Facing fears and embracing challenges builds resilience and confidence. Remember, courage is not the absence of fear but the ability to act in spite of it.

3. Develop Emotional Intelligence:

Be in charge of your emotions. Self-awareness is important to control emotional responses. Emotional intelligence helps you handle difficult situations with composure.

4. Set Meaningful Goals:

Set clear and realistic goals that align with your values and passions. Goals provide purpose and direction. They motivate you to stay focused and face challenges. Imagine yourself overcoming obstacles and achieving your goals. Visualization can boost confidence, self-belief, and motivation.

5. Practice Gratitude:

Acknowledge the positive aspects of your life, even the smallest ones. Gratitude helps shift your perspective and enhances mental toughness.

6. Build Resilience:

Success doesn’t mean that you never failed. It means that in spite of failing, you did not allow failure to deter you.

Your ability to bounce back from setbacks will make you resilient. Learn from your experiences and keep moving forward.

7. Nurture Healthy Relationships:

Surround yourself with supportive, positive individuals who uplift and encourage you. Healthy relationships provide emotional stability and strength. Distance yourself from toxic and negative people.

8. Prioritize Self-Care:

Your physical and mental well-being matter. Regular exercise, proper nutrition, adequate sleep, and relaxation techniques are essential for a resilient mind.

Develop mindfulness through meditation or other relaxation techniques. It will help to increase self-awareness, reduce stress, and regulate emotions. Take professional guidance, such as therapy or counseling, to address mental health issues. Seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

9. Learn from Adversity:

Every setback is a chance to learn and grow. Embrace failures as stepping stones toward success. Resilience is born from adversity. Seek guidance from mentors or study the lives of individuals you admire. Their experiences can provide valuable insights and motivation on your journey to mental strength.

10. Develop Problem-Solving Skills:

Instead of stressing over problems, look for solutions. Cultivate the ability to break complex issues into smaller, manageable parts and work through them systematically.

11. Cultivate Patience:

Understand that significant personal growth takes time. Patience allows you to persevere through challenges and setbacks, knowing that progress may be gradual.

12. Keep Learning:

I am a great advocate of expanding knowledge and skills. Lifelong learning keeps your mind sharp and adaptable, enhancing your ability to handle new challenges. Life is constantly evolving, so it makes sense to imbibe new lessons and adapt.

Building mental strength isn’t about avoiding hardship; it’s about confronting it head-on, recognizing that each obstacle offers a chance to grow. What makes this journey so inspiring and motivating is the personal transformation that you experience along the way.

Adopt these habits with commitment and enthusiasm, and you’ll find yourself better prepared to face life’s trials and pursue your aspirations with unshakeable resolve. So, bounce back from setbacks, chase away the blues and embark on this empowering journey today, and witness how your mental strength evolves, transforming you into the unstoppable force you were always meant to be.

Which of these habits help you to become mentally stronger? Share your thoughts with us and inspire others.

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How to Handle Criticism

A creative life cannot be sustained by approval any more than it can be destroyed by criticism.
Will Self

You often wonder why life is so unfair! You take painstaking effort to fulfill your duties both at home and at work, yet your family members at home and your boss and colleagues in the office never have a good word to say about you. Instead, you are mostly criticized on some pretext or the other.

Haven’t we all experienced this!!?? These are tough times we live in!

Criticism isn't always fair. It is up to you to use your wisdom to differentiate between the two. — Pic courtesy: Wepik.com

Criticism is a kind of evaluation or judgment, which may be either good or bad. When someone criticizes you, they are evaluating you according to a certain set of standards which they may have carved out conforming to their own beliefs and values.

Criticism may be constructive or destructive – it is up to you to use your wisdom and perceptive power to differentiate between the two. That definitely is a challenge, but you can do it with resolve.

Our first reaction to criticism is generally negative. This is because we have always believed that people who criticize us are either jealous of us or have poor judgment. In fact, they may even be lacking knowledge about the subject that they are criticizing you for!

Well, that may be true sometimes, but not all the time. There are times when people who point out your mistakes do so with good intentions. They are genuine well-wishers who want you to rectify your mistakes and make progress. So, don’t be in a hurry to discard such advice. Accept it with a calm mind and positive mindset and take corrective steps. Don’t procrastinate.

Those who offer constructive criticism do so in a gentle and encouraging manner. Their concern is not superficial. Their sole aim in giving you honest feedback about your actions or performance is to make you aware of areas of improvement. It would be a lesson well learnt. When you recognize constructive criticism, which you should, you must express gratitude to the giver for wanting you to succeed.

Destructive criticism, on the other hand, is meant to break your spirit. It is conveyed in a mocking and insulting manner. It is hurtful and malicious. Such criticism creates feelings of inferiority and inadequacy that can adversely impact your, mental state, self-esteem, self-belief and creativity. If and when you notice a pattern of destructive criticism involving a particular individual, you need to cut off any association with that individual, however close they may be.

So the idea is to identify and accept advice that is meant to uplift you and turn a deaf ear to those who are waiting for you to fail.

How do you handle criticism? Share your experiences with us.

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Overcoming Monday Blues: Tips for a Positive Start to the New Week

Monday Blues? Nah, Monday Grooves!

Mondays. The day that makes most people groan inwardly, even as they hit the snooze button one last time. The day that marks the end of a relaxing weekend and the beginning of a new workweek. The day that’s often associated with feelings of dread, stress, and anxiety.

But what if Mondays didn’t have to be so bad? What if you could start your week off on a positive note, feeling energized and motivated? It’s possible, with a little effort.

Why not reverse this narrative and start the week with confidence and positivity? Beat the Monday blues. — Pic courtesy: Wepik.com

1. Plan Your Week Ahead

Before jumping onto the Monday morning bandwagon or discussing your Monday morning mindset, let us focus on the day before. Meticulous planning will help you control and reduce Monday anxiety. Dedicate 30-40 minutes on Sunday evening, organizing your tasks and setting achievable goals for the week.

2. Begin with a Gratitude Ritual

Begin your Monday with gratitude. Focusing on what you have will divert your mind from negativity.

3. Embrace the Power of Positivity

Your mindset will determine how you approach Mondays. A new week is filled with innumerable possibilities that will help you to accomplish your goals. Each goal you accomplish will take you nearer to fulfilling your dreams – the expensive watch you want to buy, the fancy car you have always wanted, or even your dream home that awaits you.

4. Find Joy in Your Morning Routine

Your morning routine must bring you joy. My day begins early. I love the sound of silence and sitting alone with my thoughts. A short, brisk walk clears the mental cobwebs and sets me up for the day. A hearty, nutritious breakfast, practicing mindfulness, conversation over a cup of tea, listening to a spiritual talk, and playing with my pets make my mornings something to look forward to.

5. Connect with Colleagues

Build positive relationships with your coworkers. Start your day with a friendly chat or greeting. Connecting and cooperating with others will create a supportive and pleasant work environment.

6. Break Down Tasks

What can be more overwhelming than a long to-do list staring you in the face on a Monday morning? If there’s too much on my plate for the day, I end up procrastinating. So, I break down tasks into smaller, manageable steps. Completing these smaller tasks gives me a sense of accomplishment and makes my day feel more productive.

7. Maintain a Healthy Work-Life Balance

Being passionate about your work is great, but it mustn’t become your obsession. Of course, you must buy the watch, the car, and the dream house. But have you considered how you will enjoy them if your physical or mental health suffers? Make time for other interests and spend time with loved ones. A balanced life leads to increased motivation and lessens the impact of Monday blues.

8. Seek Inspiration

Find sources of inspiration that will give you the required push. Read books on spirituality to nurture your soul, speak affirmations, read motivational quotes, watch inspiring videos, or listen to podcasts; imbibe the lessons they teach you. These can provide the stimulus you need on a Monday.

9. Take Pride in Your Progress

Enjoy each accomplishment. Celebrate even the smallest victories. This reinforces a positive mindset and self-belief and helps you approach the rest of the week with confidence.

Why not reverse this narrative and start the week with confidence and positivity? Beat the Monday blues and set the stage for a week filled with inspiration and motivation. Watch Monday groove!

Have you been successful in beating the Monday blues? Share your strategies in the comments section below and inspire others.

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6 Lessons my Mother Taught me

I am a confident and secure woman because a strong woman raised me.

You gave me life
And you gave me pride
You gave me worth and value.
When the skies were cloudy
And the pathless way led nowhere
You gave me direction new.
You taught me to look beyond the ordinary
And reach for greater goals
To ensure my confidence grew.

Family plays a pivotal role in shaping your identity and who you become; and mothers play the most comprehensive role.

My mother taught me to treat everyone equally, not to surrender when faced with difficulties and how to be stable and firm. Instead of giving up at the outset, she showed me how to believe in myself and to trust my capabilities.

My mother ingrained invaluable teachings in me to tide me through the journey of life. Instead of stressing myself out trying to juggle too many things, she taught me how I should cut out the irrelevant things and keep my life in balance. Instead of allowing myself to get caught up in the nitty-gritties of life, she showed me how to back off and learn to be flexible and adapt to the situation.

There are certain meaningful lessons in life that only a mother can convey to you. You receive advice and valuable life lessons from people around you all the time, but the most impactful words are uttered by a mother. I believe the most enlightening guidance of immeasurable worth came to me from my mother – to be strong and self-reliant and to make my own choices in life.

You don’t have a handbook to guide you through life, but God gave you a mother to hold your hand every step of the way.

1. Value yourself
It is only when you appreciate and respect yourself that you can inspire others. You have a lot to offer to this world. If you want to shine your light on others, you will have to first value yourself. Use it to encourage, energize and uplift others. Recognize your own talents, abilities and uniqueness. Only then will you motivate others.
Even though your hard work is appreciated, it must not be at the cost of your health, well-being and happiness. That amounts to workaholism.
Remove all toxic influences and relationships from your life. They only serve to pull you down, drain your energy and shatter your self-esteem. Imagine your state of mind if you allow every denigrating word to affect you! Wasteful thoughts and useless gossip lead to negativity. Learn to make a distinction between constructive criticism offered with compassion and derogatory words intended to harm your self-esteem.
You are here for a purpose. Recognize it and work on it with zeal. Your contribution to this universe is immeasurable and priceless.

2. Make your own decisions
You must be self-reliant and confidently make your own decisions instead of constantly depending on someone else to make decisions for your life. No one else can judge what’s best for you. You must be the author of your own life story. Even if you make an error in judgment, it will serve as a lesson and leave you wiser. Never hesitate to start over.
Don’t get browbeaten into doing something that doesn’t feel right. Stand by your principles even if you must stand alone.
Don’t feel guilty if you have to sometimes discard advice given by friends and well-wishers. Do what your gut instinct tells you is the right thing to do. Agreeing to things only to keep peace at the expense of your own well-being is a violation of your own boundaries.

3. Never say never
When faced with obstacles, don’t give up. You are strong enough to overcome hurdles and move ahead. Don’t surrender your dreams to fear, nervousness and inaction.
Hold on to your convictions in the face of all odds. In every situation, be steadfast and resolute. Don’t just profit from the good things in life, but learn from every experience. Act with determination and resilience in every sphere of life.
A crisis in life serves to empower you and moulds your personality. It all adds up to your personal growth. You never know when the situation may change in your favour through your relentless efforts.
Embrace new ideas. Change is an inevitable aspect of life. Don’t get weighed down by past burdens. Learn to let go of anything that causes you grief.

4. Don’t be afraid
Yes, that’s true.
Don’t be afraid to speak your mind. Don’t be afraid to take a stand. Don’t be afraid to choose a career path that suits you. Above all, don’t be afraid to trust your instincts.
While the world is enticed by superficialities, artificial beauty, fake charm and meaningless words, don’t be afraid to remain simple at heart. Your clarity and consistency will enable you to do what is right rather than doing what is popular. Don’t be afraid to go against the flow.
You are adequate and have nothing to fear. You are responsible for your happiness. Make your own reality and create the life you deserve.

5. Keep your integrity
For me, the most essential quality I have imbibed from my mother is honesty and right-mindedness. I was taught early in life that maintaining probity is important even as you climb the ladder of success. When you uphold the ideals of your life, you will expect nothing less from others.
Dedicate yourself to your values and be humble. Match your words and actions. Tell the truth even if it is unpalatable. When you delude others, you delude yourself too.
Fame, glory and wealth gained by wrong means count for nothing. It is only through integrity and hard work that you must fulfill your goals. You will do a great service to society if you emerge as a role model for others.

6. Have faith in God
God is your guide, companion, protector and friend. He will always be with you through your journey of life. Whatever the circumstances you are faced with, keep faith in God. He will hold your hand and take you ashore during every storm in your life.
Be optimistic and trust in God even when you don’t understand what is happening in your life. He will bless you in abundance.

Tell me how your mother’s teachings have influenced you. I would love to hear from you.

Why Self-Belief is Important and How to Develop It

Believe in your infinite potential. Your only limitations are those you set upon yourself – Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart
Ask yourself :
Am I efficient enough to handle any situation I am confronted with?
Am I confident enough to take risks when required?
How do I react when someone tries to put me down?
Do I set my own goals or depend on someone else to tell me what to do?
Do I decide my own boundaries?
When I find myself in an unpleasant situation, am I equipped to take action to remedy the situation?
Is my self-confidence bordering on arrogance?

Believe in the Best, Believe in Yourself
Self-belief is the most appealing and compulsive aspect of your personality.
It forms the basis of success and is the paramount determinant of an accomplishment. Self-belief can glean success from the most onerous and grueling state of affairs.
Self-belief is to have faith in your own opinion, skills, potential, and ability to overcome an arduous situation. It is the component of self-confidence that makes you secure and trust that you will emerge stronger after every failure, loss, or rejection.

Self-belief is influenced by several factors.
Having overly critical parents or teachers in childhood may cause low self-esteem in a child during the crucial formative years.
Past failure or rejection can weigh heavily on the present.
Colleagues and seniors at work may pull you down at every opportunity, which creates an unhealthy work environment.

Society too criticizes you for not adhering to social norms. If you speak up for your rights, it is termed as disrespectful. If you do not sit, stand, talk, laugh, or dress in a particular way, you are a rebel.

The media also leaves no stone unturned in influencing society. There is a regular assault on your self-esteem with thin models portraying an unrealistic idea of beauty. The digitally altered images depicting perfection may have a devastating effect on the mental makeup of impressionable individuals.

Importance of Self-belief
Self-belief resides at the core of the being. It is the most essential tool of the mind. It can empower as well as self-destruct. While self-belief determines self-esteem, self-confidence exuded on the outside can easily hide low self-esteem.
As C. JoyBell C. said, ‘The only person who can pull me down is myself, and I’m not going to let myself pull me down anymore.‘
Self-belief dispels doubt in every sphere of life.
I believe everyone wants to live a life free of misgivings, which would bring out the best in them. Isn’t it better to trust your own opinion about yourself rather than fulfill someone else’s expectations about how you should be? Rely on your own abilities and set your own boundaries. Do not bear the burden of others’ expectations and judgments about you. Set down the load of guilt to make place for the tons of happiness and success that awaits you.

1. Self-belief makes you feel secure and confident in your own skin.
2. Self-belief determines your own capacity and enables you to trust your own judgment.
3. Self-belief develops confidence to face your fears and overcome them.
4. Self-belief in your own worth determines your choices and decisions.
5. People with high self-esteem appreciate themselves and take good care of themselves.
6. Self-belief decides the quality of your life.
7. The greater your self-belief, the more confident you appear.
8. Self-belief makes you a happier person with a positive outlook.

How to develop self-belief
I believe firmly that self-belief is not inherent. Rather, it is developed through hard work, intense training of the mind, and unrelenting persistence. It evolves with careful tutoring of the intellect, learned lessons, mindful understanding of the situation, discerning capacity, and clear perception.
1. Get rid of your negative mindset. Positive thinking will enable you to tackle adversity head-on. Do not be scared to ask for help.
2. Look after your health. A healthy mind resides in a healthy body.
3. Be kind and empathetic. When you help others, your self-worth increases.
4. De-clutter your mind. Tackle one task at a time with fervor.
5. Set small and realistic goals. Do the groundwork. Do not procrastinate. Congratulate yourself on every victory, however small the task might have been.
6. Write a daily journal. List your strengths and weaknesses. Note down every win and read it whenever you feel demoralized.
7. Talk to yourself. Get to know yourself. Be your greatest confidante and best friend. You will soon become your own guide and mentor.
8. Never focus on the problem. Instead, focus on the solution.
Benefits of Self-belief
Self-belief makes you less anxious about social acceptance. When you realize your own limitations, it gives you greater freedom to make decisions and welcome the winds of change.
Deep down within you, there is a place that knows exactly what you are capable of. Dig deep to find that place. Once you reach there, you will discover your hidden potential. However, you have to let go of old habits and the unflattering image that you have formed of yourself to enhance your capabilities.
1. Self-belief keeps you motivated.
2. Self-belief creates opportunities to explore new avenues and widen the scope of action.
3. Self-belief kills negativity and enables you to take risks.
4. Self-belief enables you to aim high and strive enthusiastically to achieve your goals.
5. Self-belief lowers stress levels and encourages you to work under pressure with resilience.
6. Self-belief develops self-assurance. You can take appropriate steps to change your situation if you find yourself stuck in a place that does not give you joy.
7. Self-belief makes you compassionate and empathetic.
8. Self-belief develops leadership skills and gives you greater leverage to influence and persuade people.

Maintaining Self-belief
Maintaining self-belief is as critical as developing it. It requires constant self-evaluation, silencing your inner critic at crucial times and forming a positive self-image.
Tell yourself daily:
I am beautiful. I deserve to be happy. I care for myself. I am amazing. I am M, and I matter.
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Which one idea do you identify with or would like to adopt?
– by Datta Sanghvi