“True success is not measured by your net worth, but by your self-worth.” These wise words remind us that material possessions and external achievements do not define our worth as individuals. In a world where we’re constantly bombarded with messages telling us we’re not good enough, it’s easy to lose sight of our own value. That’s why it’s important to prioritize our emotional well-being and cultivate a strong sense of self-worth.

If you’re ready to take control of your life and start living with purpose and fulfillment, then the GOLDEN formula is for you. In this blog post, we’ll explore this practical guide that empowers you to navigate tough times with resilience and purpose. By following the six steps of this method, you’ll learn how to:

Grieve any losses or setbacks

Observe what has worked in the past

Love and care for ourselves

Determine our purpose and motivations

Enjoy the process of growth and learning

And most importantly, kNow your own worth.

The Power of Knowing Your Worth

Through the GOLDEN formula, you’ll discover that your self-worth is not just a concept, but a powerful tool that can help you overcome any challenge. To rise above adversity, a positive mindset is crucial, especially during difficult times when we feel like giving up. By understanding your own value, you can develop an unshakable sense of confidence and resilience that will carry you through even the toughest times. Knowing your worth can lead to a transformation that will change your life forever. However, Unworthiness can creep in, but it’s vital to recognize your value beyond accomplishments. So let’s dive in and discover how to unlock your potential and live your best life.

Many of us believe that our self-worth is tied to our external achievements, and I was no exception. For as long as I can remember, I measured my worth based on my accomplishments in school, sports, and relationships. Falling short in any of these areas made me feel like a failure as a person, and even when I did succeed, the feeling of fulfillment was fleeting. Instead, I felt relieved that I had proven my worth to myself and others.

In 2018, I won my first Paralympic Gold medal, and I expected to feel ecstatic and proud. But instead, I felt empty and relieved. That was my wake-up call. I realized that I had given up so much of myself in pursuit of this goal, hoping it would provide me with the validation and sense of worth I craved. But it didn’t. Instead, it left me seeking help from a therapist to deal with the pain inside.

In therapy, I learned that my worth isn’t tied to my external achievements. In fact, my worth has nothing to do with any of that. We are all born worthy, enough, and full, but life may try to teach us otherwise. I realized that I could reclaim my inherent worthiness by doing the inner work.

For the next Paralympics, I knew things had to be different. I wanted to enjoy the moment, achieve my goals from a place of self-love, and feel worthy regardless of how I performed. I was determined to prove to myself that my worth was not tied to my external achievements. I began unlearning everything I knew about achievement and started my journey towards self-love and worthiness. 

Journey towards self-love and worthiness

I embarked on a journey to re-define my understanding of success, one that was not rooted in external validation, but rather in self-love and worthiness. Through meditation, I learned the importance of living in the present moment and letting go of comparisons. I made a conscious effort to practice self-compassion, treating myself with the same kindness and understanding as I would my best friend. I also surrounded myself with positive and supportive people who uplifted me. Physical activity became a way to connect my mind and body and cultivate positivity. I embraced vulnerability by being honest with myself and others about my aspirations and shortcomings. Finally, I learned to detach my self-worth from external accomplishments and instead embrace the journey, celebrating both the setbacks and wins as necessary steps towards growth.

The culmination of this journey came in 2022, at the Beijing Games, where I won both a bronze and a gold medal. As I crossed the finish line at the Beijing Games, I felt a wave of emotion wash over me. I couldn’t help but reflect on my personal journey towards self-love and worthiness, which had culminated in winning a gold medal. This medal meant more to me than just an achievement; it represented the hard work, dedication, and self-worth I had cultivated to get there. It was a visual representation of my growth and progress.

I thought back to the past version of myself who longed to feel the love I was finally giving myself. I felt the energy of every person who had helped me along the way, and I felt excited about the impact this medal would have on others struggling to find their own self-worth. The key difference between my previous medal wins and this one was that I had learned to embrace the journey, with all its ups and downs. In 2018, I had sacrificed the journey to get the gold, but in 2022, I had focused on the process, and it finally paid off.

This experience taught me the power of knowing your self-worth, and the importance of developing self-understanding, self-acceptance, and self-respect. By focusing on internal qualities and recognizing your inherent value, you can increase your confidence and resilience in the face of adversity. To build self-worth, start by increasing your self-understanding and reflecting on what matters to you. Embrace all aspects of yourself, practice self-care, and challenge negative self-talk with positive affirmations. Surround yourself with positive and supportive people, and prioritize your values by saying no to events and people that don’t align with them. By doing these things, you can elevate your self-worth and live a more fulfilling life.

Practical Steps for Cultivating Self-Love and Worthiness

As I reflect on my journey towards cultivating self-love and worthiness, I recognize that it’s a lifelong process that requires ongoing effort and dedication. Below I share with you some practical steps that have helped me along the way. While there are several steps, it’s important to remember that you don’t need to do them all at once. Instead, choose one or two that resonate with you and start implementing them today, so you can begin loving yourself beyond achievements.

Here are some practical tips to cultivate self-worth:

Practice self-compassion: Be kind and understanding towards yourself, especially when you make mistakes or face challenges. Self-compassion involves treating yourself with the same kindness, concern, and support that you would offer to a good friend. It means recognizing that everyone makes mistakes and experiences setbacks, and that it’s okay to be imperfect.

Be honest with yourself and others: Honesty can help you build trust and confidence in yourself. Being honest with yourself means acknowledging your strengths and weaknesses, as well as your thoughts and feelings. This will allow you to see yourself as you truly are.

Practice positive self-talk: Use positive affirmations to counteract negative self-talk and reinforce positive beliefs about yourself. Positive self-talk involves using positive statements to challenge negative thoughts and beliefs. It can help you build confidence and self-esteem, and improve your overall well-being.

Cultivate self-awareness:Take time to reflect on your values, needs, and wants to gain a deeper understanding of yourself. Self-awareness involves being aware of your thoughts, feelings, and behaviors, and how they impact your life. It can help you make better decisions, improve your relationships, and achieve your goals.I practice self awareness through meditation, mindfulness, and journaling.

Build a success file:Keep a record of your accomplishments and successes to remind yourself of your worth and achievements. A success file can include anything that makes you feel proud or accomplished, such as awards, certificates, thank-you notes, or positive feedback from others. A success file can also look like moments throughout your day that made you feel grateful, blessed, proud, or happy.

Surround yourself with positive people: Spend time with people who support and encourage you. Positive relationships can help you build confidence, self-esteem, and a sense of belonging.

Be kind to yourself: Treat yourself with kindness and compassion, and avoid comparing yourself to others. Being kind to yourself means treating yourself with the same care and compassion that you would offer to a loved one. It means accepting yourself for who you are, flaws and all.

Exercise regularly: Exercise can release endorphins and improve your mood, which can boost your self-worth. Regular exercise can also improve your physical health, which can help you feel better about yourself. I see the gym as an opportunity to improve my mental and physical health. I journal before and after the gym to track how I feel during and after. It’s all about the mind-body connection. 

Try new things: Trying new activities or experiences can help you discover new interests and passions, which can boost your self-worth. It can also help you build confidence and self-esteem by challenging yourself and stepping outside of your comfort zone. You may also find those failures and setbacks were not as big of a deal when you experience them in lower stake situations. 

Seek Therapy: If you are struggling with self-worth, seeking therapy can be a helpful step in addressing the underlying causes of your self-esteem issues. A trained therapist can help you to develop a better understanding of yourself and teach you ways to begin building your self-worth. Remember, asking for help is the strongest thing you can do. 

By incorporating these practical tips into your life, you can cultivate self-worth and improve your mental and emotional well-being. 

Knowing our self-worth is crucial for emotional well-being, especially when facing adversity. We must recognize that our value is not tied to external achievements. The GOLDEN formula provides a practical guide to navigate tough times with resilience and purpose. To cultivate self-love and worthiness, we need to unlearn the idea that achievements determine our worth and embrace setbacks and wins as part of our journey. Prioritizing self-care and surrounding ourselves with positive and supportive people can help us elevate our self-worth. By appreciating ourselves and others for who we are, we can develop inner strength and confidence, leading to sustainable and healthy achievements.

If you’re ready to start living your gold medal life, join my email list for more practical tools and tips. By subscribing, you’ll receive exclusive content and resources to help you develop a winning mindset and achieve your goals with confidence and resilience. Don’t miss out on this opportunity to invest in your emotional well-being and become the best version of yourself. Sign up now and let’s embark on this journey together! JOIN HERE: