At CFC, we learned a lot about self-esteem, and it's relation to our brains workings. I thought I'd share what I learned! This is from a worksheet I was given. It's actually pretty cool. I especially like the bike analogy!
How the Brain Works
Understanding your thought patterns and how the brain works provides a frame of reference for improving your self esteem.
Brain Pathways
The brain is made up of cells called neurons. These cells have nerve endings called synapses and dendrites. Nerve endings release chemical and electrical stimuli to communicate with each other. This brain communication forms neuro-pathways in the brain and is the basis for how the brain works.
When you initially learn something, the pathway, or connection, is weak. The more frequently you think a particular thought, the stronger the pathway becomes- forming an automatic habit of thinking. We call this 'brain training'.
Learning to Ride a Bike
At first you must pay attention to staying balanced, keeping your eyes on the road, holding onto the handlebars and steering in your desired direction. Then, you practice. The more you practice, the stronger your bicycle riding pathways become. Eventually you are able to get on your bike and ride without thinking. You're operating on automatic. A strong brain pathway has been created as though new brain software has been uploaded and is seamlessly operating in your mind.
How Your Self Esteem is Formed
Your brain works the same way in forming how you think about yourself. As a child, your thoughts about yourself are formed from the messages you’ve heard and believed from important and influential people in your life.
For example, if you were continually made fun of by classmates and not invited to play with them when you were a child, you would likely develop a low self esteem thought pattern regarding friends and social situations. As a result, as an adult, obsessive thinking reflecting these patterns, may automatically surface in social gatherings where you experience anxiety, fear and nervousness based on thoughts like:
- People don’t like me
- I was only invited because they had to
- Nobody’s going to talk to me
- I don’t know what to say
These beliefs are what we call your dominant thought pattern. They operate on automatic, like a habit, and are the thoughts that trigger, consciously or unconsciously your feelings and reactions to the circumstances of your life.
Good News: Thought Patterns Can Be Changed!
When you become aware of what you are thinking and feeling, you can choose and practice using new thoughts and behaviors. With practice, your new thoughts will become your dominate thoughts replacing old patterns of thinking!
Remember: To create new thought patterns requires practice...like learning to ride a bike!
