The Key to Self-Esteem, Confidence and Success

When you discover more about who you are you can fully engage and enjoy your life in a meaningful way.

You make choices and move through life with clarity, confidence, and peace of mind. When you align your values, mission, and vision you live an empowered, healthy, successful, happy life. You set yourself up for success and fulfilment.

The essence of identity

Let us begin by discovering your core values. I am always surprised how many people have not taken the time to evaluate their core values. Core values are your deeply held beliefs, acting as the essence of your identity. They are your driving force for decision making, the heart of who you are. They embody your traits and qualities you hold most important.

Reflect on the words that resonate deeply with you and identify your top five non-negotiable values. It is crucial to understand that these values represent your true self, not an aspirational identity or the expectations of others. Express them as actionable principles, making them visible in your daily life to live by them authentically.

When faced with challenges from people, events, or work, it may be a sign of misalignment with your core values. Choose relationships, activities, and work based upon alignment of your core values to ensure integrity and satisfaction in your life.

Direction and aspirations

A Personal Mission Statement defines your direction and aspirations. It helps guide your direction in decisions, it is your motivation, framework for living, and helps you stay focused and happy at being YOU.

As the author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People, Stephen Covey, says your mission statement is about “defining the personal, moral and ethical  guidelines within which you can most happily express and fulfil yourself.”

This statement, coupled with your core values, shapes your life’s purpose and long-term objectives. Writing it down and keeping it visible serves as a constant reminder of your path, similar to the way companies use mission statements in their branding. Together, they articulate how you want to live, providing a foundation for achieving your goals.

To develop your Personal Mission Statement, consider these questions:

• What are you passionate about?
• What are your most important goals?
• Where do you want to be in one year? Five years?
• What impact do you wish to make in the world?
• Who are the people or organisations you want to help?
• What makes you the happiest?
• What makes you feel alive?
• Where do you want to see change?
• What skills do you have? Ask your peers for ideas on your skill set.
• Who are you and what do you want to become?

Next, write your statement. Consider these templates but remember YOUR Mission Statement can be as long or short as you like.

To do _______________( what action) for _______________(for what group of people) to ___________________(have what impact).

To use ______________ (your skills) to have _______________ (what positive outcome) ___________(for who are you wanting to help) ____________(with).

Looking ahead

While a mission statement is often about what you are doing right now, a vision statement is about what you hope to achieve in the future. Instead of writing your vision, I encourage you to visualise it.

Have you ever bought a car and then suddenly you see that car everywhere? The reticular formation is a part of your brain that helps determine what gets through to your conscious attention. Once you buy a car your brain automatically adjusts and allows this latest information in. ​Now you see your car, the same car, even the same colour everywhere. ​

Create in your mind your ideal vision for your life. Bring the vision to life. Imagine it as though you are living it.

Take a moment to think about your perfect day. Who would you be with? What would you be doing? If you had your dream job, what would it be? Where would you spend more time? Who would you be with? Choose a vision that aligns with core values and mission statement. While you imagine this, use all your senses.

Imagine it as if you are there. Imagine your dream day, your dream job, house, travel, whatever you want. Where would you be? What would you be doing? See it or feel it. Is there anyone with you? Notice the colours. Notice any smells. What are you wearing? If you don’t see it, then sense.

Create in your mind your ideal vision for your life. Bring the vision to life. Imagine it as though you are living it. Touch things as though you are there. Engage in the vision as if it is real. Notice how you are feeling. Are you confident? Relaxed? Heathier? Happy? Something else? Feel the emotions.

If you are having a challenging time, then imagine a time when you experienced these feelings in the past. How does it feel in your body to live your dream day, your life vision? What does it feel like to be successful, to be empowered? Hold it for a few moments. Remember you can take these feelings with you and access them anytime. In this way, your dreams can become a reality.

Now go out into the world confident in who you are, what you want and make it happen.