Self Esteem

WHAT IS IT AND WHERE DO YOU GET IT?

I don’t think we are born with Self Esteem, I feel it is something that develops as we experience that which Life has to offer.  You can’t BUY ‘IT’ off the shelf, ‘IT’ does not appear miraculously when we reach puberty, maybe we inherit ‘IT’, or do we really have to learn how to develop our own Self Esteem.

So many people looking to move on in their Career have no idea which path they should follow.  How much more difficult must it be if they don’t even believe in themselves.  Ask yourself:

  • What are the major influences in your life, how have they assisted you to achieve what you have achieved so far?
  • What if you had a Mentor, someone who would assist you to see what is possible in your life?
  • What advice would YOU give to someone trying to get ahead in life, who is not valuing who they are and what they do?

It is unfortunate that even today, people who work within the Administrative field  do not understand the value of their roles and the contributions they make to the business, the organisation, or to their particular team.  Too often they think of themselves as being a ‘Justa’.  “I’m justa …………….”, where instead they should be saying I AM ……………, and I am proud to be.

PERSONAL BRANDING

If the profile of the administrative profession is to be raised, it is essential for everyone who works within this profession to raise the bar and be seen as the true professional they are.  It is true that people see you as you see yourself, ie the image you portray is what your colleagues see, and make assessments based on that image. By taking responsibility for how you project your image, (Personal Branding), you are taking the first step in managing people’s perceptions of you.

Consistent personal style is important. Your ‘dress code’ should portray your professionalism.  For those of you looking to take the next step in a career, then the old adage of dress for the position you want is well founded.  

SMART need not be expensive, it is personal  STYLE is what will make you stand out from the crowd.

  • Learn to project self confidence.
  • Simply put, it’s all about respect, respecting yourself enough to present professionally everyday.
  • Make a statement, stand out and be recognized.

UPSKILLING

  • Undertake a skills audit of where you are now and where you want to be, say in 12 months time.
  • Could you undertake further responsibilities to learn on the job and create greater job satisfaction
  • Will the company support further professional development?
  • Will the company support your membership of a professional organisation for example The Australian Institute of Office Professional (AIOP)
  • Talk to your boss to advise him that you are keen to volunteer for projects so that you can grow your expertise.

By taking these steps, you can begin to build your self confidence, and therefore your self esteem.  Once you set the ball rolling, anything is possible, as you become more positive about who you are and what you do.  Time is not infinitive where careers are concerned, so take  advantage of opportunities as they present themselves and reap the benefits of achieving what it really is that you are aiming for in your career and ultimately your life.

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