What Happens When One Suffers From Low Self Esteem

Posted by admin | Posted in Psychology | Posted on 14-06-2009

Low self esteem has been frequently considered the cause of a lot of the world’s social problems—from crime,

to the inability of people to socially interact with other people. However, there has been little consideration

as to what it really is, and what tangible effects it may have on a person. In order to understand what it is

and, in effect, resolve some of its detriments, it is first important to explore some basic concepts related to it,

as well as its various impacts.

To begin with, self esteem is the value people associate themselves with. Therefore, unlike the misconception

that self esteem is how confident people are about what they can do, self esteem is really more self-worth than

confidence. The latter, after all, is more associated with the belief in one’s own ability to perform future

tasks, whereas self-worth is how they see their own selves at the present time.

However, this is not to say that self esteem is a variable concept. Quite the contrary, psychologists consider

self esteem as a rather enduring conception that people have about themselves, despite the fact that there may

be some instances of a person’s self worth momentarily faltering in the opposite direction.

When people suffer from feelings of low self worth, they often compare themselves to other people. In the

process, they see their flaws sticking out, making them less respectable than the people they are comparing

themselves to. They will see what they lack and what they do not possess, and over-glorify the good traits that

other people may have.

Increased paranoia over the possibility that people are making fun of them may also take place. They may be

overly afraid of being judged when they go out in public with their flaws so obvious for the world to see. This

will create within them strong feelings of self hate and self loathing.

There are also moments when people who suffer from low levels of self esteem feel as though they do not

deserve the things they have, or are not worth the love their friends or family bestow on them. They will often

feel like they are not worth the trouble, and clearly a waste of whatever time, money, and effort that people

may be spending in order to be with them or to make them feel special.

They may then withdraw from whatever social interactions they have, or may at least have some difficulty

interacting with other people. They may become overly sensitive to critique, and may often feel helpless and

vulnerable even when around the people who truly care for them. Unfortunately, some of them may also

express whatever self hate they feel through anger and increased intolerance of what other people have to say

to them.

Some indicators of some form of low self esteem may include an obsessive form of perfectionism. People who

suffer from such low self worth tend to impose impossible standards upon themselves, and therefore foster

deeper feelings of self hate as they are unable to meet these expectations. They may also be too willing to

please other at their own expense. This is usually because whatever affirmation they receive from other

people become ways for them to see themselves, at least momentarily, as worthy of respect and love.

Unfortunately, without that nod of approval from other people, they will again express feelings of

worthlessness.

Increased Brand Credibility Means Increased Sales

Posted by admin | Posted in Psychology | Posted on 17-05-2009

What is Brand Credibility?

Brand credibility is often pointed out by marketing experts as one psychological factor

that could trigger the buying impulse of consumers. However, just like with any type of

triggers, it can produce a positive or negative effect. In this case, it refers to your

brand’s reputation and its ability (or inability) to convert that into sales.

As a business owner, you must try to change your perspective into that of the consumers.

Try to understand how you would perceive various companies and how it affects your buying

decisions. Most often, consumers would opt for those companies that are deemed to be

experts in their respective industries.

Other factors that affect your buying patterns would include longevity, which covers the

years that a company has been in existence. This reflects their mass appeal and quality of

their service or product given that it has been patronized by a certain demographic and

for that given period. This is what credibility in branding is about: the perception that

people have of your business or company.

Establishing Credibility

Now that you understand what brand credibility is, you must face the harder question: how

do you establish it? This is even more difficult for business newcomers or business

startups because there is a lot of work to be done. Aside from that, you need to

continually nourish it so as to be able to maintain that credibility that you have built

up for your business.

Credibility is the heart of every business. Even though you offer quality products or

services, if your customers perceive your company as incapable of delivering such level of

quality, then it would be of no use. It would not be able to confirm your business as a

reliable choice among several possible competing choices in the market.

To produce brand credibility, you need to meet the following categories:

• Non-verbal such as your logo or image,

• Verbal efforts through marketing or advertising,

• Mission and Vision of the business to exemplify your organization’s values,

• and, Internal operations that is crucial in delivering your promises to the customer.

Following are tips on how you can build credibility towards success.

Customer Perceptions

You establish this initially by doing business that satisfies your customer. When you make

advertisement claims about your product or service, you need to meet or exceed their

expectation standards to be able to build that positive perception about your company.

First impressions always last, so you need to make a good first impression if you want to

increase market share.

Highlight Business Competence

Regardless of what product or service you are offering, you must demonstrate your

expertise in that given field. Show data and statistics that serve as proof to what your

company is capable of delivering. That is why most companies or websites advertise with

testimonials to prove the results of using their product. When consumers see actual

results, it extends from your products to your overall company image.

Consistency

As already mentioned above, establishing credibility is not a one-time process. Instead,

you must also work on maintaining and enhancing it. After all, one mistake could easily

trump the reputation you have built. Consistency then becomes of utmost importance in your

business. It must be aligned with all processes involved in your business operations, from

advertising, to the marketing, and production.

If you want to attain a certain level of standard, it must be true for all levels of

business operation since this will serve to back up your integrity. Learn to follow the

essentials of building and establishing brand credibility for it is one important aspect

in achieving longevity.

Who Could Use Hypnotherapy?

Posted by Keith Fields | Posted in Psychology | Posted on 02-05-2009

by Carl Morris

When someone mentions hypnotism you might think of some guy in a suit with a top hat waving a wand around and mesmerizing someone with a watch that he swings back and forth in front of their eyes. This is one extension of what hypnotism and hypnotherapy is. However, there is a more scientific approach to the psychology and physiology that hypnotherapy is involved with. Hypnotherapy is much more than a magic trick performed on stage. Before scoffing at hypnotherapy, you might consider understanding a little more about the practice.

What is Hypnotherapy? Developed in the 1700s by a man named Franz Anton Mesmer, the theory of being mesmerized started as a treatment for such ailments as blindness, headaches, paralysis and/or joint or other pains. Mesmer used magnets to begin the hypnotic state in order to cure his patients. The science world ridiculed his efforts.

However, the idea for curing illnesses through a mental means was intriguing and progressed further. Many scientists worked on methods of how to cure pain and disorders through the neurological process that Mesmer had started. In fact, James Braid discovered that hypnotherapy was a physiological and psychological process. He realized that the mind and body worked together in creating a reaction to particular circumstances.

Milton H. Erickson who realized that, in order to cure a disorder or pain, it would be necessary to rewire the brain further developed Braids work. For example, when a person touches a hot stove the reaction they have is that the stove is hot and they get burned which hurts; therefore you know not touch a hot stovetop again. In theory, it would be possible for a hypnotherapist to convince the mind that touching a hot stove doesnt burn and hurt but only creates a slightly uncomfortable tingle.

What Can Hypnotherapy Do For You? Though its not likely a hypnotherapist would contort your mind into thinking a burning sensation is only a slightly uncomfortable tingle, a hypnotherapist could help cure you of ailments like phobias, warts, bedwetting, irritable bowel syndrome and many other mental/neurological disarrays that a person might have.

Statistics show that 74 percent of patients treated with hypnotherapy recover from such conditions over the 27 percent improvement from those that dont have any assistance with hypnotherapy. This is definite proof that hypnotherapy works.

Who Could Use Hypnotherapy? While there are some self-hypnotherapy techniques that could be tried for various levels of conditions, most people that deal with hypnotherapy need to have some sort of certificate or degree in order to practice this sort of medicine. Various institutions for hypnotherapy require a minimum of hours in order to obtain a certificate; so if youre considering a hypnotherapist be sure they have that certificate.

Hypnotherapy isnt a practice that can cure everything but it can certainly help in maintaining a certain composure of the mind and elements that might affect neurological reactions like pain or phobias. You should always consult a psychiatrist or physician in regards to undergoing hypnotherapy to ensure that it is the right method for helping you.

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Facts About the Influence of Media on Young People

Posted by admin | Posted in Psychology | Posted on 27-04-2009

The media has long been tagged as one of the things that influence people the most.  It is because when we talk of media it covers the radio, television, and

print.  There is also electronic media, which includes the use of computers and other latest gadgets.  With all these technology available readily available

to everybody, it cannot be denied that whatever people see and hear will have en effect on them.  The influence of media on young people is another point of

discussion.

The youth represents majority of the population.  Teenagers and young adults are part of this group.  They represent the significant percentage of people who

are self conscious of their image; hence they are the target audience of producers and advertisers.  The influence can be good or bad, depending on how the

individuals respond to the shows, movies, commercials, and other media products.

In terms of body image, the media bombards the young girls’ minds with images of skinny models.  This makes them feel that if they are a few pounds heavier

than these images on the magazine then they are unacceptable to the society.  As time passes, it has been observed that the girls who are becoming weight

conscious gets younger and younger—for instance, about 80% of nine-year-olds are on diets and that the number of eating disorder cases has been rising.

Through the media, boys are getting obsessed with their body because they always see well-built men in magazines and television shows.  Staying fit has never

been an issue but there is an alarming increase in the number of people who adhere to obsessive weight training and use anabolic steroids and dietary

supplements that promise these boys bugger muscles and more stamina for lifting.

With regard to sex, three out of four teenagers say that the television shows and movies make it seem normal for children their age to engage in sexual

relations.  The young teens regard the entertainment media as the number one source of information about sexuality and sexual health.  Being open about sex

and how they talk to their girlfriends or boyfriends about it is largely because of what they see and hear.

In terms of violence, one study shows that children are learning aggressive attitudes and behaviors because of watching shows and movies that depict such

behavior.  They develop a fear of being victimized by violence.  What most of the programs they see and hear send the false notion that in every conflict

there has to be a winner and a loser, thus making them believe that violence is a successful means of resolving conflicts.

Media violence can lead to aggressive behavior in children and this is supported by a research that states that when a child hits the age of 18, he must have

seen about 200,000 acts of violence on television alone.  Young children become desensitized to the real world violence.  They cannot easily tell the

difference between real life and fantasy that the violent images they see on television and in the movies may seem real to them.

Parents can reduce the negative influence of media on young people by limiting and monitoring the programs the children watch.  They should also teach the

children the value of inner beauty, the value of self worth, and alternatives to violence.

Can You Understand the Universal Law of Attraction?

Posted by Vlad Stivenson | Posted in Psychology | Posted on 08-04-2009

by Vlad Stivenson

Think about the word “Attract” and what it means to you. Do you wish you could attract good things into your life? You can do this. The Law of Attraction is as real as gravity and can be used to get the things you want.

Chances are you have had some experience with the Law of Attraction and heard it discussed. It is discussed in many ways including the following:

1. Reaping what you sow.

2. Getting what you give.

3. Like attracts like.

4. Supply and demand

5. What goes around comes around.

6. You are what you believe in.

7. The Law of Compensation.

The Law of Attraction is described by Catherine Ponder who wrote about the Law of Prosperity as the experience of attracting things in your life that you are focused on and think about often.

Simply put, like attracts like. So what does that have to do with your life? You will bring things into your life that you spend a lot of time and energy thinking about whether these are things you desire or that you do not want in your life. Think of yourself as a magnet that draws things that are similar to your thoughts into your life. The things you desire are magnified in your life in many ways.

To attract good things into your life, download and use Subliminal Flash program. It imprints positive affirmations into your subconscious mind, and you become a magnet attracting prosperity, success, money and love.

You might have experienced the Law of Attraction yourself when you desired something so strongly that you used your passion and dreams to bring that thing to life. No one was going to get in your way. You truly believed you deserved this thing and you would have it and it appeared in your life. It was your positive thinking that did this.

You probably have experienced the opposite as well when you just could not get something that you really, truly desired. Often, money is the unattainable thing for people. You want and need more money but it never seems to come to you. You express your desire for more money but then throw in negative thoughts about how you cannot pay your bills, everyone else has more money and you will never have enough money. As much as you work towards getting more money you never succeed because you are thinking more about the negative than the positive.

Think about the phrase “like attracts like”. This means that if your focus is on how you don’t have enough money and never will than you are creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. By thinking about the things you do not want to come into your life you are actually releasing energy into the Universe that will reflect your negativity and bring you more of the very things you are trying to avoid. The Law of Attraction says we attract those things we focus on so if you keep saying “no” instead of yes that is going to be the answer the Universe brings to you.

You should instead spend your time thinking positively and thinking about what you want in your life. You need to realize the strength and power of your thoughts and focus on controlling them and keeping them positive. Being happy is the best thing you can do. When you are happy, you send happy thoughts into the Universe and get good in return.

There is enough good in the Universe for everyone - it will never run out. Your perception of what you do not have is what fuels your lack of these things. If you ask and truly want things you will get them in your life. We can all have everything we dream of if we know how to ask for it. The Universe wants us all to be happy and successful and live our dreams.

Often people use the Law of Attraction without knowing it and bring negative things into their life. Turn this around and use this magnetic power to get the things you truly desire. You need to realize that you have the power to do this and use that power to bring good things into your life.

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