Internal Conversation: Self-Affirmation vs. Self-Acceptance

Have you ever stood in front of a mirror and repeated, "I am resilient and strong”……

Only to feel a conversation going on in your head - that inner voice pushing back, whispering or even shouting, "No, you're not"?

Have you noticed how your mind then gets flooded with all the evidence that you’re not strong or resilient?!

🙊 That’s the trap of Self-Affirmation. 

That sneaky gremlin, your ego that kicks in to disempower us with its fault-finding judgement, criticism, and comparison….

That causes us to attempt to convince ourselves of something we don’t truly believe….

It can feel hollow, even counterproductive. 

Our ego resists, defending itself against what it perceives as an untruth.

It sneakily goes for the jugular, making you question your integrity by your attempt to fake that you are strong and resilient when do not feel that you are!

Self-affirmation can create a façade of strength, often masking feelings of inferiority or insecurity. 

It’s like putting on an armour to convince others and ourselves that we’re unbreakable….

When deep down, we know the cracks are still there!

✅ The great news…..

There is an alternative: Self-Acceptance 🎉

Self-acceptance takes a radically different approach. 

It taps into our non-judgmental intuition….. 

Instead of battling against your inner doubts….

It invites you to acknowledge them with curiosity and compassion. 

It doesn’t demand perfection…

It encourages possibility with a positive energy that creates a sense of empowerment.

Instead of declaring….,

🚫 "I am strong and resilient" when you feel far from it, say……

🎯 "I don’t feel strong or resilient right now. What do I need to do to feel like this?"

The shift:

• It removes the pressure of perfection, you don’t need to be anything other than what and who you are right now.
• It helps you look for the right and empowering that you have everything within you already
• It opens doors to growth by asking open questions and exploring what’s possible, starting with ‘how’ and ‘what’ that create possibility and stop the judgement of ‘why’.

These steps strengthen your inner resilience as you learn to navigate challenges from a place of honesty and self-trust.

Creating Possibility Through Curiosity

Imagine the possibilities if you listened to your fears, rather than silence them..... 

This can reveal what’s holding you back and what could move you forward.

This is especially transformative for you as a resilient leader.

After all.......

Resilient leadership starts with self-awareness. 

When you accept where you are today.....

You lead from a place of honesty, integrity and vulnerability as your truest self. 

This doesn’t just benefit you….

It inspires your team to show up as their true selves too.

So, the next time your inner voice whispers doubts, respond with curiosity, not conflict.

Over to You….....

What’s one area of your life where self-acceptance could replace self-affirmation? 

How might it change the way you approach challenges?

I’d love to hear your thoughts. 

Let’s explore this together.

Take care,

Lizzy

#Leadership #Resilience #SelfAcceptance #Day2

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At Release Your Potential we help directors and aspiring leaders to embrace their resilience, confident leadership, own who they truly are so that they can communicate with impact, influence, power and purpose to build high performing teams. No body armour required! Let’s speak!