“Your crown has been bought and paid for. Put it on your head and wear it.”
– Maya Angelou.
Maya Angelou’s words serve as a powerful metaphor for recognizing and embracing one’s inherent worth and dignity, encouraging individuals to honor and celebrate their intrinsic value.
This quote emphasizes the transformative power of self-discipline in achieving goals and the importance of recognizing and upholding one’s self-worth.
Quiz: Identifying Self-Worth
- How do you react when you receive a compliment?
- Dismiss it immediately
- Accept it graciously
- Feel uncomfortable and change the subject
- Rarely believe it’s genuine
- Do you often compare yourself to others?
- Always
- Sometimes
- Rarely
- Never
- How do you handle criticism?
- Take it personally and feel hurt
- Consider if it’s constructive and learn from it
- Ignore it completely
- Get defensive
- Do you feel deserving of happiness and success?
- Not really
- Yes, absolutely
- Sometimes, I doubt it
- I’m not sure
- How do you view your mistakes?
- As failures
- As learning opportunities
- As something to avoid at all costs
- As a sign of weakness
- Do you prioritize your own needs?
- Rarely do I put others first
- Yes, my needs are important
- Only when it doesn’t inconvenience others
- I struggle to identify my own needs
- How do you feel about setting boundaries?
- Uncomfortable and guilty
- Confident and necessary
- Unsure how to set them
- I don’t like boundaries
- Do you feel confident in your decisions?
- Rarely I second-guess myself
- Yes, I trust my judgment
- Sometimes, I need others’ approval
- I avoid making decisions
- How do you feel about your accomplishments?
- They’re never enough
- Proud and satisfied
- Indifferent
- I downplay them
- Do you feel worthy of love and respect?
- Not always
- Yes, unconditionally
- Only when I meet certain standards
- I often question why others love or respect me
Building Self-Worth
If you’ve found through this quiz that most of your answers fall within the last two answers, your sense of self-worth could strengthen, don’t worry. Building self-worth is a journey, and you can start today. Here are some steps to guide you:
- Practice Self-Compassion: Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you would offer a good friend.
- Set Boundaries: Learn to say no and prioritize your needs. This isn’t selfish; it’s necessary for your well-being and self-worth.
- Celebrate Your Successes: No matter how small, every achievement is worth recognizing. Allow yourself to feel proud.
- Challenge Negative Thoughts: When self-critical, pause and reframe those thoughts in a more positive and realistic light.
- Embrace Imperfection: Perfection is an unrealistic goal. Embrace your flaws as part of what makes you unique and contributes to your self-worth.
- Seek Supportive Relationships: Surround yourself with people who uplift and support you. Positive reinforcement from others can bolster your self-view.
- Engage in Activities You Enjoy: Doing things that make you happy can improve your mood and boost your self-esteem.
To Sum up
Remember, building self-worth takes time and patience. Be gentle with yourself on this journey. You are worthy of love, respect, and happiness, just as you are.
Read Why are daily affirmations powerful? , and Boosting Your Productivity Game: Proven Strategies for Success to get more tactics and strategies to improve your self-worth.
