A term that is often confused with financial values and or material possessions that an individual or a collective of people own.
Your self-worth is not determined by the people you surround yourself with nor is it determined by the colour of your skin , nationality and or religion. Though these elements are at times leaned into for benefits and advantages that advances the process that benefits an Individual or collective of persons that benefits equally in a selected environment.
Self-worth refers to the value and importance that we place on ourselves as individuals. It is how we perceive and assess our own worth, both in our own eyes and in relation to others which also closely linked to self-esteem and self-confidence. It is the belief and recognition of our own inherent value, regardless of external factors such as achievements, appearance, or opinions of others.
In saying this, recently I was blessed to be invited to an Award Ceremony here in Doha | Qatar. The evening was riveting with class, elegance and sophistication in both people, the dress codes, foods, decor and the atmosphere precision and accuracy of the awards nominations.
One has to wonder the amount of energy and grit it took the Event Director who is also Editor in Chief Mr Elias Haddad, so congrats on an evening of splendor.
Alhamdulilah, unexpectedly I was awarded Qatar Life Coach of The Year Award which was by Editor Choice. This was after I withdrew as a nominee earlier in the nomination and voting processes. It’s actually unethical for any Medical Practitioner to participate in any awards competition.
In saying the above and considering I was not part of any voting process, I graciously and with great humility accepted.
To be clear, developing a healthy sense of self-worth is important for several reasons:
Our Positive self-perception:
When we have a healthy sense of self-worth, we have a positive self-perception. We believe in our own abilities and strengths, which allows us to take on challenges and pursue our goals with confidence.
Self-Emotional well-being:
Having a healthy sense of self-worth contributes to our emotional well-being. It assists in building resilience and coping with setbacks. We are less likely to be affected by negative criticism or judgment from others because we have a strong foundation of self-belief.
An abundance of healthy relationships:
Self-worth influences the quality of our relationships with others. When we have a healthy sense of self-worth, we are less likely to seek validation and approval from others. This allows us to establish and maintain healthy boundaries, communicate assertively, and engage in mutually respectful relationships.
Consistency at decision-making and assertiveness:
A healthy sense of self-worth empowers us to make decisions that align with our values and desires. We are more likely to advocate for ourselves, express our needs, and assert our boundaries in various situations.
Satisfied Overall life satisfaction: Developing a healthy sense of self-worth contributes to our overall life satisfaction. When we value ourselves and recognize our worth, we are more likely to engage in self-care, pursue meaningful goals, and cultivate a positive mindset.
In summary, developing a healthy sense of self-worth is important for our emotional well-being, relationships, decision-making, and overall life satisfaction. It allows us to navigate life with confidence, resilience, and a sense of purpose at life to win and strive.
Though the winners of the rest of the evening were awarded based on a voting system conducted by the public. During the evening, there were a substantial amount of chatter about the evening being an Arab only event with 95% awards going to Arabs.
This I vehemently disagreed with and brings to question the theory of self-worth. One self-worth is not dependent on the opinions and values others find in us, it’s designed by the amount of love within ourselves for the persons we are and developing into.
And when you take that self-worth into a competing environment to compete whether it’s sports, events, career progressions and or industry recognition, you have to actively market, promote and brand yourself in a manner that you can receive the recognition of a nomination. You could also nominate yourself as indication of your self-confidence and this will be seen and acknowledged by your industry, followers and supporters.
Effort reflects interest
When you do nothing,
nothing successful will ever happen in your lives. We do live in a society where individuals believe they are entitled to benefits and rewards based on religion, nationality, perceived status, job titles etc.
Release these illusions and focus with all your intelligence on finding greater reasons to love yourselves greater and deeper without a sense of entitlement. Work more on healing your childhood traumas that were created with the mindset of I am better than you because I say so and not supported by any other facts or truths.
Belief we should not compete to diminish any other, we should compete to complete one another which actually increases and environment of healthy sense of self-worth.
A healthy sense of self-worth influences our decision-making and assertiveness in the following ways:
Clarity of values and priorities:
When we have a healthy sense of self-worth, we have a clearer understanding of our values, priorities, and what truly matters to us. This clarity helps us make decisions that align with our authentic selves and what we believe in. We are less likely to be swayed by external pressures or seek validation from others when making important choices.
Confidence in decision-making: Having a healthy sense of self-worth boosts our confidence in decision-making. We trust ourselves and our judgment, which allows us to make choices without excessive self-doubt or fear of judgment. We are more likely to take calculated risks, pursue opportunities, and trust in our ability to handle the outcomes of our decisions.
Assertiveness in communication:
A healthy sense of self-worth enables us to assert ourselves effectively in various situations. We are more likely to express our desire, opinions, and boundaries assertively and respectfully. We value our own voice and believe that our thoughts and feelings are valid, which empowers us to communicate confidently and stand up for ourselves when necessary.
Boundary-setting:
Developing a healthy sense of self-worth helps us establish and maintain healthy boundaries in our relationships and interactions. We recognize our own worth and value, and we understand that it is essential to protect our well-being. This enables us to say no when needed & set limits on how others treat us.
Resilience in the face of challenges:
A healthy sense of self-worth provides us with the resilience to face challenges and setbacks. We believe in our own abilities and worth, which allows us to persevere and bounce back from difficult situations. This resilience assists in making decisions that may involve taking risks or stepping out of our comfort zones, knowing that we have the strength and worthiness to handle whatever comes our way.
Also positively influences our decision-making by providing clarity, confidence, and the ability to assert ourselves. It allows us to make choices that align with our values and prioritize our well-being, leading to more authentic and fulfilling lives.
