Do you tend to let others define how you feel about yourself or how you see yourself? You need to know that others have zero right to exercise that power.

Even if it takes many months or longer, patiently look for one or two people willing to share a little bit of their time, wisdom, and kindness to help you grow.

You are capable of handling hard things. First, dig deep within yourself to find your strength. Then, persevere without compromising your integrity. You possess more inner strength than you realize.

On a scale of 1 to 10, rate your self-worth. What was your score? Why not one point lower? Higher? What would it take for you to start seeing yourself better? Pick one thing that you can improve and decide what the next right step toward that thing is. But remember, your worth is not based on your behavior, accomplishments, body, intelligence, or anything else. You have worth and value simply because you're you!

Are you afraid of trying something new that would enrich your life and put a smile on your face? Begin thinking about and researching what that might be. Now is a great time to shake that fear. Step out of your comfort zone and go for it!

Sometime in the next two weeks, pause for a few minutes for a progress evaluation. Mentally or in your journal, list three reasonably important areas in life (personal, school/career, or a goal). Even if your life has had some ups and downs, you've likely made a little positive progress in one or two areas. Now, pat yourself on the back. You've done well.

Don't go through life feeling insecure, too often finding ways to hide or retreat from the reality of your life today. Instead, be B.R.A.V.E.
Begin thinking of yourself as a victor instead of a victim
Ready to stand up for what is right and healthy for you
Always remember you have more inner strength and courage than you realize
Victorious living begins with the courage of your convictions
Every day needs to start with "I will be BOLD to do what's right for me today."

Exchange your "cannots" and "will nots" for a braver, bolder you who says with confidence, "I'm not afraid to believe I can do this!" and "I am not freaked out by the words 'I WILL DO THIS!!'"

Some people prefer the quiet life and don't desire to stand out. However, if you "blend in" too much, people won't know the real you. People who hide from attention tend to be unhappy because people assume they are boring. It may take courage, but you can still be quiet while being authentic. Even if you aren't naturally loud and energetic, your authenticity will not only be noticed but respected, as well.

Even if you are a little timid by nature, you can still accomplish new, big things! Set aside time to contemplate your goals and pick three favorites. Write down one small goal, one medium goal, and one large goal. Then, brainstorm thoughts, ideas, steps, and ways to fulfill that goal! Next, make a plan, be courageous, and start small!

Many say, "I'm going to go hang out with friends" without thinking if they are quality friends! For further thought, positivity can be a friend, too. "I'm going to take the next hour to hang out with positivity" will make your day far better!

Feel free to carve out some time to hang out with, guess who? With yourself! You can cultivate some super healthy thought processes during this time. Such as:

• Learning to love and appreciate yourself better.
• Chipping away at forgiveness - toward yourself and perhaps someone else.
• Telling yourself that accepting your current circumstances does not mean giving up on better days ahead.
• What is one thing you can flip? What life scenario is weighing you down but doesn't have to be? Reverse it. Gradually turn that negative into a positive.

Find one thing that you do well and get better even at it. Let that be satisfying to you because when you sense satisfaction, you are at the start of experiencing genuine success.

Here's a perfect recipe to help you overcome the fear of failure: Start envisioning something you know would be good for you to pursue. Mix in a healthy portion of meditation. Now, blend in the fiber of visualization. Add the fire of passionate pursuit. Life's oven of setbacks will get intensely hot. No worries - you are cooking up a huge batch of success.

Today would be a great day to eliminate one negative phrase from your self-talk. You might not recognize the positive person you will become with two or three changes like that!

Do you ever think, "I'm my own worst enemy?" Try replacing it with this thought: "I will continue to grow in my attitudes and actions until I become the best version of myself!"

Do you hyper-focus on your weaknesses while largely ignoring your strengths? Take time to name at least three things you're good at and celebrate those gifts. Now, identify a few areas within your control that you would like to grow in. Take baby steps to improve your weaknesses, and steady strides to develop your strengths.

If you have convinced yourself that you are stuck with a negative outlook because that's "just how you are," then think again. Even if it takes a year to change a bad habit, one day it will become second nature!

Ask yourself: "How optimistic am I? How can I be more generous with that optimism?" If you are only 20% optimistic, share that 20% with someone this week!

You have a certain amount of emotional energy at your disposal every day. If you don't break the habit of looking at many things with a largely negative outlook, you will steal from yourself truckloads of positive, uplifting, game-changing energy.

Are you carrying a regret, or two, or 10,000, from your past? You are not alone! Spend some time reflecting on those regrets. Do you need to make amends? A relationship repair? Forgive someone? Forgive yourself? Are you feeling guilty about something that isn't really your responsibility at all? For as much as it depends on you, make peace with others and yourself and do better, now that you know better.

What are your excuses for living a life stuck in neutral? Think of two things you can do or get help with to start chipping away at those towering walls of "I can't." Keep thinking and seeking and believing. In time, you will break down those once rock-solid roadblocks to a size you can handle and overcome!

There is more - much, much more to you than you may realize. How so? You are a multi-layered, unique person. Embracing and exploring your potential vs. shrinking back from it is crucial to your future. You will find you have an abundance of untapped potential!!

What is the heaviest, most difficult-to-shake event in your past? The heavy burden of that memory is weighing you down more than you may realize. It's time for a burial ceremony. It's time for you to say, "I cannot and will not carry this heavy weight one more day. Be gone! You are dead and buried forever"

Did you know that reading DJ says, and other encouraging books or stories can make your brain healthier? It's true. Positivity and vision will stimulate your brain to be more active. More positive. More attuned to problem-solving and your life's purpose.

How good are you at taking the life happenings that get pushed toward you in stride? A big step in staying in a positive stride is to say, "I don't have to like this to be determined to rise about my feelings of shame and avoid another ruined week."

Sometimes, NOT trusting yourself and reminding yourself to steer clear of things you know you will regret is good. But don't let that stop you from becoming the kind of person others trust. As you do so, you will experience something extraordinary: being able to trust yourself more!

Give yourself an "encouragement appraisal." Even if you feel like some of your desires and goals got stuck in nowhere land, focus for a few minutes on one area where you can see you are making some progress. Savor that self-approval and allow it to give you the energy to move forward a little more in another stalled-out area.

A lot of who you become is determined by how you get back up when you fall despite knowing that others witnessed you fall. This is the time for you to REFUSE to give others the right to meddle with your self-worth.

One good thing about being knocked flat on your back is there is only one way to look - UP. Keep reminding yourself that there will be better days ahead, and be sure to guard against saying or doing something you would definitely regret. Exercising self-control is worth it!