Developing a Positive Identity

1. Some of the elements that contribute to yourpersonal identity NAME ROLE HOBBIES TALENTS Developing a Positive Identity

2. In this lesson, you’ll learn to: Lesson Objectives Recognize developmental assets. Explore strategies for developing a healthy identity. Relate how self-esteem and a positive outlook benefit your mental/emotional health.

3. Components of Your Personal Identity Interests Likes/Dislikes Talents/Abilities Values/Beliefs Goals Your Personal Identity Your personal identity is characterized by your:

4. Realizing Yourself Your Personal Identity During the teen years, you begin to develop a stronger sense of who you are. • You learn about yourself through your interactions and relationships with other people. • The knowledge you gain from your experiences will help you see yourself more clearly.

5. What Are Developmental Assets? Your Developmental Assets As you mature, it is important to recognize the developmental assets that will help you build a healthy, positive identity. • Developmental assets can be found in many aspects of your life and you can always work to strengthen these assets. • These assets can help you achieve wellness as you mature into a dependable, conscientious adult.

6. A List of Developmental Assets Support Empowerment Boundaries and Expectations Constructive Use of Time Commitment to Learning Positive Values Social Competencies Positive Identity Your Developmental Assets

7. Strengthen Your Developmental Assets Working Toward a Healthy Identity You can take active steps to strengthen your developmental assets and build a healthy identity. • Recognize your strengths and weaknesses. • Demonstrate positive values. • Develop a purpose in your life. • Form meaningful relationships. • Contribute to the community. • Avoid unhealthful risk behaviors.

8. Recognize Your Strengths and Weaknesses Working Toward a Healthy Identity • View your strengths and weaknesses in honest, realistic ways. • Accept and take pride in your strengths and accomplishments. • Assess your weaknesses without being overly self-critical, and set goals for improvement. • Use your strengths and address your weaknesses to help you develop competence and effectiveness.

9. Demonstrate Positive Values Working Toward a Healthy Identity • Your values, or your beliefs and ideas about what is important in your life, guide your actions and influence the decisions you make. • Making sure that your behavior reflects your personal values and standards will reinforce your positive identity.

10. Develop a Purpose in Your Life Working Toward a Healthy Identity • Think of having a sense of purpose as a framework for your mental health as you grow toward adulthood and work to build a healthy identity. • Having a sense of purpose means establishing long- and short-term goals and working to achieve them.

11. Form Meaningful Relationships Working Toward a Healthy Identity Relationships with family, friends, teachers, and coaches: • Can help you develop a sense of purpose in your life. • Allow you to express yourself and share your experiences, beliefs, and feelings. • Give you a support system that will help you build confidence and develop a sense of security and belonging.

12. Contribute to the Community Working Toward a Healthy Identity • Giving back to the community is part of being a good citizen, and it helps you feel a sense of accomplishment. • Apply your strengths to improving others’ quality of life, and strengthen your sense of belonging in the process.

13. Avoid Unhealthful Risk Behaviors Working Toward a Healthy Identity Risk-taking helps define and develop identity. Healthful Risk-Taking Unhealthful Risk-Taking • Risks such as engaging in sports have a positive effect on development. • These risks challenge you to develop skills and mature in new ways. • Risks such as using tobacco, alcohol, or other drugs can be dangerous. • You should refuse to participate in such behavior.

14. Self-Esteem and Wellness Self-Esteem and Positive Outlook • Self-esteem comes from the understanding that you are a unique and valuable human being. • It affects your mental/emotional health and the way you take care of yourself. • Self-esteem puts you in a strong position to meet the challenges of daily life.

15. Positive Outlook and Wellness Self-Esteem and Positive Outlook People with a positive outlook live longer and are healthier, both mentally and physically. • To achieve a positive outlook: • Try to see challenges as opportunities for growing and learning. • Remind yourself that no matter what happens, there is always hope.

16. Realistic Patterns of Thinking Self-Esteem and Positive Outlook • In order to increase your self-esteem and develop a positive outlook on life, it is essential to see events realistically. Analyzing Your Self-Talk • Replace negative messages in your self-talk with constructive criticism.

17. Quick Review Provide a short answer to the question given below. Q. Define personal identity. Click Next to view the answer.

18. A.Your personalidentity is defined as your sense of yourself as a unique individual. Quick Review - Answer Click Next to attempt another question.

19. Quick Review Provide a short answer to the question given below. Q. Name the positive values listed as developmental assets. Click Next to view the answer.

20. Quick Review - Answer • A.The positive values listed as developmental assets are: • Support • Empowerment • Boundaries and expectations • Constructive use of time • Commitment to learning • Positive values • Social competencies • Positive identity Click Next to attempt another question.

21. Quick Review Provide a short answer to the question given below. Q. List the strategies for building a positive identity. Click Next to view the answer.

22. A.Strategies for building a positive identity are: • Recognize your strengths and weaknesses. • Demonstrate positive values. • Develop a purpose in life. • Form meaningful relationships. • Contribute to the community. • Avoid unhealthful risk behaviors. Quick Review - Answer Click Next to attempt another question.

23. Quick Review Provide a suitable explanation. Describe how positive identity and high self-esteem can help you with goal setting, developing relationships, and contributing to your community.

24. Components of Your Personal Identity Interests Likes/Dislikes Talents/Abilities Values/Beliefs Goals Your Personal Identity Your personal identity is characterized by your: Personal identity refers to your sense of yourself as a unique individual.

25. What Are Developmental Assets? Your Developmental Assets As you mature, it is important to recognize the developmental assets that will help you build a healthy, positive identity. Developmental assets are the building blocks of development that help young people grow up as healthy, caring, and responsible individuals. • Developmental assets can be found in many aspects of your life and you can always work to strengthen these assets. • These assets can help you achieve wellness as you mature into a dependable, conscientious adult.

26. Realistic Patterns of Thinking Self-Esteem and Positive Outlook • In order to increase your self-esteem and develop a positive outlook on life, it is essential to see events realistically. Constructive criticism includes nonhostile comments that point out problems and encourage improvement. Analyzing Your Self-Talk • Replace negative messages in your self-talk with constructive criticism.