Power of The Mind
Article contributed by:
Raffles Medical Group
A mindset, in other
words, is an attitude.
It acts as a push or
pull factor, which
either motivates or
hinders the choices you
make and how you view
yourself.
Whether you have a
positive mindset or a
negative one, you create
self-fufilling
prophecies in the
process of making every
decision.
The ‘O’ and ‘P’ Minds
An
optimist, one who
possesses a positive
mindset, is more willing
to take risks, tends to
try again and is less
upset in general after a
failed attempt. On the
reverse, pessimists tend
to blame themselves for
their failures and
become less willing to
try after such
experiences.
The mindset of each
group leads to a
different outlook of
life and impacts not
only their own but also
the lives of those
people around them.
Therefore, you have
power over your feelings
and responses, only if
you choose to adopt the
correct mindset.
It will change your life
as it affects the
choices you make.
Specialist in Psychiatry
at
Raffles Counselling
Centre, Dr Arthur
Lee adds that,
"Attitudes and values
spill into our life
choices unconsciously
each day. Learning to
forgive and accept
others (including
ourselves) can alleviate
the pain of emotional
wounds and heal broken
relationships. An
optimistic mindset sees
the best in every
situation, even in the
face of great
difficulties, challenges
and initial failures.
For example, it is never
too late to quit
smoking, drugs,
excessive alcohol and
other addictive
problems, and head for a
new beginning in your
lifestyle choices.
Each day is a new day
but it begins with a
willingness to change
your mindset."
The benefit of being
optimistic is
significantly great.
Just to name a few,
optimists enjoy better
health, stronger
relationships, higher
productivity and
experience lower levels
of stress.
Body language is often a
natural manifestation of
a person’s mindset.
It is displayed through
how you present
yourself, ranging from
behaviours, the tone and
choice of words used in
a conversation with
others, to the way you
dress. How you
choose to present
yourself can send either
a positive or negative
message about who you
are, which in turn
creates an impression of
others about you.
A smile and a little act
of kindness from the
heart can brighten your
day and that of a
stranger or loved one.
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Breakout. Breakthrough!
There is a saying that
those who think poorly
about themselves rarely
succeed in life.
Is it true? Well,
this statement is true
to a certain extent
because such individuals
seldom associate their
lives with success.
It is probably a word
that is too far fetched
from their life
experiences because a
negative self-image is
what they see in the
mirror each day.
Experts say that low
self-esteem hinders
individuals from
developing their unique
talents.
While we are aware that
everyone needs a certain
level of confidence to
function and accomplish
tasks, very often,
people with a poor
self-image are very
critical of themselves
and live in a state of
uncertainty. Some
are aware of it while
others have gradually
become accustomed to it.
With the unlimited
potential hidden within
every individual, it is
unfair for anyone to be
trapped in the cage of
FEAR, which translates
into “False Evidence
Appearing Real”, and be
deprived of tasting
life’s successes.
In short, low
self-esteem needs to be
changed in order for one
to live life to the
fullest. Dr Lee
further cautioned, "Self
esteem problems, if
confirmed, should be
seen in the proper
context. Although
fear is a normal
reaction to real or
imagined threat, once it
becomes disproportionate
and interferes with
self-esteem and daily
functioning, it is
important to exclude
conditions related to
clinical anxiety and
depression which require
further evaluation and
treatment."
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Characteristics of
people with low
self-esteem
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Underestimate their
capabilities.
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Neglect the present.
They lament too much
on the past and are
overly anxious about
the future.
Therefore, they do
not enjoy the
present or work for
the future.
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Worry excessively.
They feel that they
need to be perfect
in order to be loved
and accepted by all.
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Object intimacy.
They keep their
innermost thoughts
to themselves and
tend to isolate
themselves with
people who are close
to them.
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Reproachful towards
themselves.
They tend to blame
themselves when
things go wrong.
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Tensed. They
seldom feel at ease
with people and
events.
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Hopelessness within.
They feel negative
towards most of the
things around them
because they have
very little hope for
anything.
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Yearn to be accepted
and loved but don’t
seem to know how to.
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Pointers to breakthrough
a negative self-image
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Believe in yourself.
Live the good values
that you believe in.
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Reflect on how
accurately you view
yourself.
Speak to a close
friend who can
provide an objective
analysis of you if
needed.
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Excite yourself with
what you may
discover when you
take on challenges
positively.
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Accept truths about
yourself. You
don’t have to be shy
about your strengths
and only embrace
your weaknesses.
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Know that something
bad only lasts for a
moment. Get
pass it and move on.
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Oust negative talks.
There is power in
what you say.
Engage in uplifting
conversations.
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Understand that true
lasting beauty is
only found within.
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Take criticisms
constructively with
the main intention
to help you become
better.
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A person with a healthy
self-image would portray
confidence, feel good
and look good!
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Article contributed by:
Raffles Medical Group
Dated: December 2011
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Raffles
Medical
Group is
a leading
medical
group and
the largest
private
group
practice in
Singapore.
As a fully
integrated
healthcare
organisation,
the Group
owns and
operates a
network of
family
medicine
clinics, a
tertiary
care private
hospital,
insurance
services and
a consumer
healthcare
division.
Patients of
the Group
enjoy a
continuum of
care, from
having their
most basic
healthcare
needs met
through the
Group’s
islandwide
network of
Raffles
Medical
clinics, to
specialist
and tertiary
care at
Raffles
Hospital. |
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