Success begins with Self-Image

“Never allow someone else’s opinion of you to become your reality.” – Les Brown

Have you ever paused and thought about how you “see” yourself? Every person has an image of him/herself. Psychologists refer to this as our self-image. Your self-image has a tremendous impact on how far you go in life, as you will never rise above the image you have of yourself in your own mind. Self-images are often shaped by what other people have said about you, how your parents, teachers, or peers regarded you, or self-imposed images you have created in your own mind based on how you feel about your appearance, abilities, personality, or achievements. Your self-image may or may not be an accurate reflection of who you really are … but it is a picture of how you perceive yourself to be.

Having a healthy self-image is an important factor in the success and happiness of any individual. Great achievers and record-breakers in all walks of life have accomplished what they have because they choose to not be limited by labels someone else put on them … they refuse to let someone else’s opinion become their reality! Through the 1980’s and early 1990’s, I traveled across America, speaking to over nine million students about reaching their full, God-given potential.

Four key thoughts from my message were put on a t-shirt:
You are not who you think you are.
You are not who other people think you are.
You are not even who you think other people think you are.
You are who God says you are!

Does your image of who you are line up with who God says you are? His Word says that you are: created in His image and according to His likeness; His workmanship; the apple of His eye; the head and not the tail; precious in His sight; and the list goes on. He wants us to see ourselves as priceless treasures. He knows we are not perfect, that we make mistakes … but He loves us anyway!

See yourself as God sees you and let that become your reality!