Self concept is a very important factor for the personal development and self improvement of any person. It is often mingled with the term Self Identity also, however Self Concept is a building block for true Self Esteem and Self Confidence.
In this article we will try to understand the true meaning of Self Concept and the method by which we can build and enhance it properly.
What is Self Concept?
Have you ever thought that whenever you meet someone, your mind generates a concept of other person’s personality. This is often called and known as the First Impression and this first impression is actually your concept about his/her self.
As often you meet with this person, your concept about his self is amended according to his behavior and attitude. However, more or less, the impact of first impression always has its strong hold on our mind.
Now, if you apply this same example on your own self then you can appreciate the true meaning of Self Concept. Basically, Self Concept is our view or understanding of our own personality that how do we see and understand it.
Self Concept includes that how much we think we are able to handle problems and crisis in our life. What sort of skills do we possess in terms of professional and career life and how well we can handle personal and social relationships.
Self Concept makes up the image which we possess for ourselves and the same image is viewed by others while interacting with us. Therefore, if we have a better or proper self concept then we are most likely to be viewed as a happy and confident person, otherwise vice versus.
How to build a Real Self Concept
Step 1: Identifying Current Self Concept
In order to get a true picture of your Self Concept, you need a neutral and third person’s mindset for evaluation. Before proceeding towards building up a proper Self Concept, we need to identify our current / present Self Concept.
To get this, I have found a free test to identify the current Self Concept of yourself. However, please keep in mind that only honest answers can give you a true picture, otherwise it could be a waste of time only.
So first please attempt this free test and get the results. When you will finish this test, it will give you a brief analysis of your Self Concept by which you can understand your self better and recognize that what areas you are required to improve.
Step 2: Identifying Your Actual Potential
Often the current self concept which we possess is actually not our own real self concept, rather it is the conditioned self concept which we build just because of comments and feed back of people around us.
Not everyone is our well wisher and this is why people mostly not appreciate our true strengths and potentials, which in turn results in underestimating our own abilities.
As a second step towards building your true Self Concept, you need to recognize your abilities and true potential. This can be achieved by undertaking this free test. When you will visit this page, it will ask you several questions regarding your self concept. You need to give the answers honestly and should not consider what others mostly say about you.
Rather while answering, you should consider what you yourself agree about your Self Concept. Even you can click on ideal answers rather then the true ones according toy our opinion.
In the result, it will show you a scale of big five personality dimensions and where you stand in them. This score is very important for you to truly appreciate your real Self Concept as this is the scale of your real personality.
Step 3: Unleash your true Self Concept
Now finally you can see the difference between your current self concept and the true scale of your personality. To make it convenient, try to copy both test results on notepad and then compare them.
This will give you an idea that on what areas you need to work upon to show your true self concept to others. Remember that your true self concept is somewhat in ideal state and does not exist yet objectively.
To bring it into reality, you need some hard work and dedication. Only a little hard work can help uncover your true personality and self concept.
For this purpose, make a list of qualities/skills which are present in your true Self concept according to the second test but are absent in the result of first test.
Then read about those skills and qualities further on internet and in several self help books available in your area. Try to read practical stuff instead of theoretical one and attending some seminars or workshops can be of great help.
Once you would be able to build your real Self Concept objectively, you can see the brilliant results which can very positively affect your wealth, fame, relationships and personality.
You can also find my article “Developing your talent” helpful in this regard.
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