"When you get what you want in your struggle for self and world makes you king for a day Then go to a mirror and look at yourself and see what your face has to say for it isn't your father, or mother or wife who judgement upon you must pass one who means most in your life everyday is face looking back from glass you may follow whole world down pathway of life and get pats on your back as you pass but your final reward will be heartache and tears if you've cheated man in glass."

Every successful person knows vital role that their self- image, or picture they hold of themselves, plays in their success. This snapshot is probably most important single factor, which will determine how successful you will be in life - it is your destiny. I firmly believe that holding a poor self-image short-circuits a person's chances of success.

Your self-image is what you feel about yourself at deepest level. It is your truth - because you subconsciously believe it about yourself. One's self image (especially with sensitive people) is a very fragile thing. It can be severely damaged by loss of job, separation, divorce, mental breakdown or other trauma. Once broken it has to be slowly rebuilt, brick by brick, which sometimes can take a number of years before person becomes their old self once again.

The people closest to you have a significant impact on ones self-image. If they don't believe in you, it makes it very hard to move forward in your life.

How you see yourself personally and professionally also determines level of your own motivation. A positive self-image means that your sub-conscious mind can be controlled by eliminating negative thoughts and attitudes. Your subconscious mind determines your ATTITUDE to events and experiences. It is not what happens to you that is important - it is HOW you react to events: The "90% - 10% rule"!

"I am upset not by events, but rather by way I view them."

Holding a good self image means seeing yourself as a unique and significant person - one who has a meaningful part to play in world. You then add greater MEANING and PURPOSE to your life.

If you have a strong inner belief in yourself and your values, you can change your behaviour subjectively by changing your attitudes of mind or your inner beliefs. This is what is known as "self talk". For example: You can turn a negative attitude about your weaknesses to a positive one regarding your strengths. Don't get bogged down with circumstances. The 'loser' with a negative self image often blames others for their adverse circumstances in life and usually suffers from feelings of depression. This negative self image then becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy, as failure follows failure in their life. So that a "cycle of despair" sets in. Very hard to break out!

What do you want out of life?

What do you value most? What does your life say to you? Which means to say: What has been purpose of it so far? Ever thought about it? Funny question for all of us when one day just seems to drift into another. What ideals do you aspire to? What is your core value (or values). In other words, ask yourself this: what is single most important value I stand for in my life, my core reason for being?

Write your answers down on a blank sheet of paper. Then ask person nearest and dearest to you to do same. Make a quiet time when you won't be disturbed. Kick kids out, don't kick kid's be- hinds. Spend this uninterrupted time while you talk about your lives together: your values, goals and dreams - for yourself and for family (if you're get- ting on like me). If single, no worries! Lucky bugger! This is a great opportunity for you to spend quality time sharing your innermost fears, goals and dreams with someone you love. If you are single, just love yourself (my motto is: 'fall in love with yourself and be sure of a life-long romance'). You can also find out what those nearest and dearest to you really want out of life and from you. What are their expectations of you? Usually very different from what you think they are! Ask yourself: Are you living out your values? Do you have a dream? If so, do you value your dream? Is it that important to you? How important? What steps do you need to take in order to achieve it? You may have to ask for help from others, because not all goals can be achieved by you alone.