MENTAL DIET: How To Overcome Self-doubt Through Self-image
Dreaming Big but Facing Defeat, and yet overcoming self-doubt through the power of a winning self-image
Once upon a time, a little girl dreamed of becoming Miss America.
In 1994, she competed in the Miss Florida pageant and won the title of first runner-up. The following year, she tried again—and once more, she was awarded first runner-up.
Discouragement could have easily set in. Many would have given up. But not Tara Holland.
In 1997, after moving to Kansas City, she entered the Miss Kansas pageant, won the title, and that same year, she was crowned Miss America.
Picture the Crown Before You Wear It
In an interview after her win, Tara revealed that she had been tempted to quit after losing twice in a row at the state level. But instead of walking away, she made a profound decision.
She rented hundreds of videos—local pageants, state pageants, Miss Teen, Miss Universe, Miss World—and watched them repeatedly.
Each time she saw another contestant crowned, she pictured the crown being placed on her own head. She was rehearsing victory in her mind before it ever happened in reality.
So, when asked if she felt nervous walking the runway in front of millions watching on television, Tara responded:
“No, I wasn’t nervous at all. You see, I had walked down that runway thousands of times before.”
Her secret? She had already lived the victory in her mind.
Your Inner Mirror Shapes Your Outer World
Here’s the catch: Tara Holland performed in a manner consistent with the way she saw herself. She looked into her “inner mirror” to determine how she would behave on the outside.
Her improved self-image became the key to her success. With it came greater competence, confidence, and courage.
Now let me ask you:
- When you look into your “inner mirror,” what do you see?
- Do you see yourself chained to past failures, or do you see yourself moving forward?
- Do you see yourself confident—or fearful and insecure?
- Do you see yourself as a peak performer or as someone struggling?
Whatever picture you hold inside will eventually shape your actions and outcomes. You will behave yourself into the person you see.
What Exactly Is Self-Image?
Self-image is simply how you see and think about yourself.
It is:
- The mental picture you carry of yourself.
- The evaluation you make of your life, both present and future.
- The driver that shapes your behavior, personality, and performance.
Hebert Harris defines it beautifully:
“It is the mental and emotional picture you hold in your own consciousness of who you are, what you are, and what you represent.”
Change the Picture, Change the Performance
When you see yourself as competent and confident, you naturally behave competently and confidently.
You act consistently with the picture you hold inside. That’s why improving your self-image is one of the fastest ways to improve performance in any area of life.
In fact:
- You can’t outperform the picture you hold of yourself.
- Change the picture, and you change the outcome.
- Self-image is the heart of success—without it, success collapses.
Your relationships, career, finances, emotional stability, and spiritual growth all revolve around your self-image.
As Zig Ziglar once said:
“Man was designed for accomplishment, engineered for success, and endowed with the seeds of greatness.”
Unfortunately, many never realize this truth because of a poor self-image that sabotages their potential.
Discover the Treasure Inside You
The good news is—you can change it.
You can reach inward and discover the amazing person you were created to be.
Your “inner mirror” determines your outer world. So, take charge of the reflection you see.
The greatest discovery you’ll ever make is that the treasure you’ve been searching for is already inside you. That treasure is YOU.
Takeaway: If Tara Holland could transform her self-image to become Miss America, you too can transform yours to become the best version of yourself
