Each of Us -- Providing career advice and career development information for working women interested in advancing in the workplace

Self Image

This week's tip is about self image and where it comes from. Many a woman has spent her life trying to improve her self-image, somehow knowing that nothing can ever be accomplished without a strong one.

Obviously, how we view ourselves is a very personal thing, yet too many of us assign this job to others. Women are more likely than men to look outside ourselves for our self-worth. We want others to validate our efforts, the quality of our work, or even to validate ourselves. We can become praise junkies, needing the approval of others in order to function. Maybe we shrink in our own eyes from the slightest criticism.

Suggestions and outright criticism of our work is a part of business. If we take these things too personally, we are unable to offer our best to our employers and ourselves. We can become ineffective trying to please everyone. Somehow we know this logically, but it is sometimes hard to change emotionally.

Of course, all successful men and women want the respect and admiration of others. But this is different than needing approval, or even permission, in order to operate. (See Each of Us.) Are you assigning the job of your own self-image to others? Awareness is the first step. Small adjustments make a big difference.