# Transform Your Life: Boost Self-Esteem and Embrace the New Year
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Chapter 1: Embracing Your Successes
Hello friends! I want to share a powerful exercise that can significantly enhance your self-esteem while allowing you to reflect with gratitude on the year that has passed.
Begin by listing at least ten successes, achievements, or joyful moments from this year. These can be simple or even minor experiences—what matters is that they occurred!
On a separate piece of paper, or using your phone or computer, jot down the POSITIVE traits you’ve discovered in yourself related to each of these events or achievements. Rather than just listing qualities (like responsibility), describe what these traits mean for you: for instance, “I am responsible.” Aim to identify multiple qualities for each success!
Avoid repeating the same qualities! As you go through each event, seek out new attributes connected to it. Ultimately, you should aim for at least 50–70 qualities, and ideally even 100! As you reflect and tune into your inner self, you may uncover even more traits that may not be directly linked to specific events. Don’t hesitate to note those down as well!
This list serves as a powerful reminder—like a mantra—to recite whenever you start to doubt yourself or feel diminished. Display it prominently, create a note on your phone, or set it as a wallpaper on your computer!
Additionally, if you find a quiet moment alone, try this: give yourself a tight hug. Close your eyes and turn your focus inward. Speak kindly to yourself: “I apologize for undervaluing you or placing blame. I love you and I’m here for you now. I promise I won’t betray your trust again!” Then, begin to recite the qualities from your list, recalling the moments when they shone through. This reflection doesn’t have to be limited to the past year.
The final and most crucial step is to MAKE A DECISION! Form an internal commitment with yourself regarding how you plan to change your life moving forward. What actions will you take to facilitate this transformation?
For brevity, I’ll share my own example with just five events and a mere twenty qualities to illustrate how this can be achieved.
In 2023, I saw a 2.5-fold increase in my monthly income, conducted over 1,300 hours of consultations, created a therapeutic course titled "I Can Do It!" and led two group sessions. I traveled to India and attended various retreats in Kazakhstan, Belarus, Moscow, and Novosibirsk. I also spent 1.5 months in Adler with my son while continuing to work and had the opportunity to learn from two renowned American therapists—Michael Nickerson and Robert Miller.
Now, as I reflect on my experiences, I can identify qualities such as: hardworking, responsible, trustworthy, successful, sensitive, attentive, supportive, creative, organized, inspiring, inquisitive, adaptable, and determined. Just from this reflection, I found 23 qualities! If I ponder further, I could easily identify even more.
Now I take a moment to embrace myself warmly, saying, "Marina, I apologize for being overly demanding this year. I didn’t fully appreciate your strengths and sometimes diminished your achievements. I promise to support you moving forward because you deserve it." Then, I recite the qualities I’ve identified.
The most crucial part now is to DECIDE that next year, I will treat myself with more kindness. I plan to limit myself to no more than four consultations a day and to infuse more creativity into my life! I will complete the book I’ve started, allow myself to travel, and develop new offerings for my clients that will benefit others while providing a lighter workload for me.
I encourage you to engage in this practice today—better yet, start right now! And make a point to revisit it on New Year's Eve!
Continue to reinforce these affirmations daily throughout the new year, and you’ll witness remarkable changes in your life!