Do you sometimes find yourself spewing that 4-letter "F" word?
No, not THAT one . . . I'm talking about that other 4-letter "F" word -- FEAR.
Fear
is a distressing negative emotion brought on by a perceived threat. It
is a basic survival mechanism that triggers your 'fight or flight'
response. Our fears, however, can often take on a life of their own and
stop us dead in our tracks.
Rejection
is an irrational fear that others will not accept us for who we are.
Fear of rejection is one of those insidious, perceived threats that can
hold you back, keep you from achieving your goals.
Fear
of rejection pervades our minds, often rendering us incapable of doing
or saying anything for fear of others' rejection, lack of acceptance, or
disapproval.
Yes, there will be times in your life when you will face rejection. How will you handle rejection if it does happen?
To start, be prepared. Identify your limiting thoughts, such as...
- People dislike me
- I am a failure
- I am not worthy of their approval
.
. . and then dismiss them one by one. To do so effectively you need to
build your self-esteem. And you build self-esteem by understanding your
self-worth. So make this list instead . . .
- People like me because...
- I have been successful in...
- I am worthy of others' approval because...
Work on your self-worth list everyday by adding just one good trait about you. Remember my equation: Self-confidence + Self-worth = Self-esteem
Embrace joy, be mindful, live a flourishing life.
~ Rita
