Self-confidence and a sense of worth are so important to our physiological and neurological health, and yet we don’t embrace our uniqueness and individual qualities enough.

One of the biggest challenges we’re faced with in becoming the best version of ourselves lies in the misguided belief – supported by constant media bombardment – that we are not enough. We try to be who the world says is ‘cool’, ‘successful’, ‘pretty’, etc. rather than valuing our self-worth and believing in our own greatness, uniqueness, beauty and talent.

If only this were encouraged more or taught in schools, the improved outcomes in terms of more neurologically healthy and happy adults, let alone reduction in teen angst, suicide and depression would be world changing.

Stop chasing external affirmation

You can’t be the best version of yourself until you accept and love who you are, change the things about yourself that you choose and stop chasing external affirmation. Look how quickly the world drops celebrities when they don’t fit on the pedestal anymore – no wonder they get up to crazier things to keep themselves relevant and in the spotlight!

We all dreamt of becoming some sort of ‘celebrity’ as kids – l wanted to be a rockstar like Jimi Hendrix until l realised l couldn’t sing, dance, play an instrument or write songs/music!

Just because it doesn’t put you with the ‘in’ crowd, on the cover of a magazine, in the driver’s seat of a ridiculously expensive car or on the social media stratosphere, doesn’t make your talents, worth and value any less than those people we yearn to be like. To be your best self starts with loving yourself – warts and all!

‘Prune’ the negative people from your life

Thereafter, a really positive next step is ‘pruning’ the negative people and influences from your life and surrounding yourself with positive influencers. Don’t misunderstand this, l am not saying go and find a bunch of friends or associates that agree with you all the time or tell you what you want to hear. l am encouraging you to surround yourself with people who will help you to be the best you can be.

People who will call you out when you’re wrong, kick your butt when it is needed, encourage and celebrate your growth and success, and be there to hold your hand when it feels like the bottom has fallen out of your world.

If you need a bit of help in convincing yourself that you are enough as you are, try one or more of these daily affirmations for 21 days and see how you feel:

• “I love and accept myself exactly as I am.”

• “I accept all parts of myself today.”

• “I take responsibility and ownership for the bad parts and commit to fixing or changing them so l am a better version of myself tomorrow.”

• “I give credit and express gratitude for all the good parts and commit to being more consistent in these.”

• “Today l will focus on what I can do, on what I can learn, on who I can help and where l can make the biggest impact.”