Written by: Dr. Ken Keis, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
In a world that often skirts around discussions of self-worth, it's time to shine a spotlight on its crucial role in our lives. Self-worth, whether positive, neutral, or negative, affects each one of us in profound ways. It's time to include self-worth in our collective awareness program, and not just for adults – our children's mental health is at stake, too, with the alarming rise in teenage suicide rates in North America.
So, what exactly is self-worth? It's that intrinsic part of your personality that dictates your sense of personal value and importance. Buried deep within you, it exerts a powerful influence on your attitudes and behaviors, steering you towards success or failure.
Authors Note: Self-worth is only one critical element to our mental health. Research also strongly links our wellness & health (diet and lifestyle) practices to our mental health. This will be the content of a future article.
When your self-worth takes a hit, you might find yourself drained of energy, lacking motivation, and struggling to engage with life. Let me share a personal story that underscores this. More than three decades ago, before I met Brenda, my wife, I was engaged to someone from Australia. After nearly a year together, she returned home to prepare for our wedding. Two months later, she called with that dreaded "Dear John" conversation. My self-worth plummeted to its lowest point. I spiraled into a near-depressive state, barely eating and losing 15 pounds in just 30 days. Within two months, I went from being the top sales performer in our company to the poorest. My skills remained the same, but my self-worth had hit rock bottom, and it had a domino effect on everything in my life.
Conversely, high self-worth yields the opposite results. When people believe in their abilities and their potential to make a difference, they exude confidence that paves the way for success.
This holds true for all of us, both children and adults!
Recent research affirms that our self-worth levels are in a constant state of flux, redefined daily. Success begets more success and boosts self-worth. That's why they say the best time to make a sale is right after you've made one!
But how does self-worth affect us on a daily basis?
Low self-worth can lead to various challenges
Increased emotional problems
Anticipating rejection
Struggling with criticism
Social discomfort
Resistance to change
Frequent illness
On the flip side, high self-worth bestows several advantages
Lower rates of depression
Positive outlook on others
Persistence in the face of adversity
Taking personal responsibility
Adaptability and flexibility
So, where do you begin in your journey to bolster your self-worth?
Just as in any endeavor, it starts with self-awareness. Consider taking an assessment, like our Self Worth Inventory, to understand your current self-worth levels and initiate change. When I completed this assessment years ago, it helped me grasp the concept of situational self-worth. I realized that, in the realm of work, my self-worth soared, but in my family of origin, it plummeted. How could this dichotomy exist?
Self-worth is shaped by your environment over time. Despite my success at work, my family life growing up was a daily dose of criticism. That upbringing cast a shadow over my self-worth as an adult, making me overly self-critical. But once I recognized this destructive pattern, I worked to change it. This shift in attitude significantly boosted my self-worth where it mattered most.
CRG’s Self Worth Inventory transformed my life, offering a 12-step system to enhance mental wellness and self-worth levels. It's important to note that for some, low self-worth may have a biological origin. Diet and blood chemistry can affect your self-worth, leading to conditions like depression. I experienced this firsthand when, years ago, I discovered I was hypoglycemic, despite being initially misdiagnosed with manic depression by several doctors.
As you embark on this journey to boost your confidence and self-worth, remember that physiological factors can also play a role.
Here are some action steps to get you started
Assess your situational self-worth levels with the Self-Worth Inventory (SWI) (available online).
Identify your self-worth levels in various aspects of life, including Self, Family, Peers, Work, and Projected-Self.
Challenge negative thoughts by vocalizing positive ones and setting a clear direction for yourself.
Don't hesitate to seek help from others or a professional counselor if needed.
Invest time in self-discovery, understanding your personal style, values, purpose, and needs.
Develop self-respect.
Forgive yourself.
Take personal responsibility for your self-improvement journey.
Remember, your self-worth is the foundation upon which your mental health, wellness, and confidence are built. It's time to make it a priority in your life.
Dr. Ken Keis, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Ken Keis, Ph.D., is a leading global authority on behavioral (personality) assessment strategies and an expert in leadership, purpose, and wellness. He is the President and CEO of Consulting Resource Group International, Inc. (CRG) which has served thousands of organizations worldwide. With over 4 million words of content authored, including 4 books and a dozen assessments, Dr. Keis is also a respected author, speaker, coach, mentor and media guest His latest books include: Why Aren't You More Like Me?, Deliberate Leadership, and The Quest For Purpose. An engaging public speaker, Dr. Keis has conducted over 3,000 presentations and 10,000 hours of coaching and consulting.
