Learn to Believe in Yourself: Tips & Tricks to Help Teenagers Reach Their Goals

As a teen, you're constantly figuring out who you are and defining your place in the world. That can be a lot to handle, and sometimes it might feel like no matter what you do, you'll never be able to find that ever-elusive sense of confidence.

With the proper guidance (or someone willing to invest in you), you can learn to trust yourself, and feel good about who you are, what you like, and what you have to offer. At Pure Health Center, we provide counseling for teens who want to feel better about themselves and parents who want the best for their kids.  

What Is Self-Esteem & Why Is It So Important for Teens?

Self-esteem is how you think and feel about yourself—something you can work on and improve. It influences how you make decisions, how you view yourself, and, ultimately, how you interact with the world around you. Establishing positive self-esteem is a significant task for teens, as it helps them develop into confident adults.

Positive self-esteem can help teenagers in many ways. For example, it can give them the confidence to pursue their goals. It can also help them trust their judgment, be resilient when faced with challenges, build relationships with others, and care for their mental health. It also protects against anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues common during the teenage years.

The first step towards self-esteem for teenagers begins at home. Parents must provide a safe, supportive environment where teens can explore who they are and what makes them unique. Teens need to be able to have trusting relationships with their parents, while still being held accountable to their boundaries. Incorporating Chicago therapy for teens is another excellent way to build the foundations of self-esteem early on and can help teens develop more positive mindsets.

Teen boy with headphones holds camera for a selfie, demonstrating positive mindset and improved self-esteem for teenagers that comes from participating in Chicago therapy for teens.

Improving Teen’s Self-Esteem

Self-esteem is built in two arenas: the mental landscape of how you think about yourself, and the physical realm of being capable to accomplish the tasks you set your mind to. Making progress on tangible goals affects how you see yourself, just as the narrative you construct about your abilities affects what you can accomplish. 

Improving your teen’s self-esteem is a journey, not a destination. It's something that needs to be worked on day by day. 

Here are a few simple tips for improving self-esteem for teenagers:

  • Set small goals and celebrate successes
  • Speak kindly to yourself
  • Surround yourself with positive people

As their parent, here’s how you can help:

  • Give your teen small actionable tasks/ goals that they can accomplish. For example, give them a couple of items to track down at the grocery store, or have them help you prepare dinner one night a week. Beyond this, notice when they do things well, or without asking, and make a point to bring it up. 
  • Speak kindly about your teen.  Try to reframe your thinking about some of their less desirable qualities and focus on the underlying good. (Ex. Change your assessment of them as stubborn to persistent, or from too shy to conscious of their social energy levels)
  • Be a positive person in your teen's life. Are you embodying all the qualities you want from your teen? Are you respectful of them, even in arguments? How’s your self-esteem?

Sports are a Great Way to Boost Self-Esteem

Getting involved in sports provides a space to engage with peers in a healthy competition, leading to improved self-esteem since it helps teens prove their abilities—skills that eventually translate into other aspects of life. In addition, being part of a team or physical training activities allows teenagers to expand their leadership skills and learn effective communication techniques.

In sports, the mental game is just as important as the physical one, and we offer sports mindset coaching to help your athlete perform the way you want. 

How to Identify Negative Self-Talk and Replace It with Positive Thinking

In adolescents, the tendency to judge themselves unfairly or speak negatively about themselves is common. Whether it's fear of failure or pressure to conform to some standard, teens judge themselves and react harshly to mistakes. It can adversely affect their mental health.

It can be hard to break this habit, but there are ways you can learn how to identify it and eventually overthrow it. Here are a few tips on recognizing and replacing your negative thought pattern with a more positive one:

  1. Notice Your Internal Dialogue: Start by being mindful of yourself daily. Notice what you say to yourself when facing hardship or life doesn't go as planned.
  2. Write It Down: When you notice this inner dialogue, write it down. Writing it down allows reflection, which helps you analyze it better.
  3. Change Your Self-Talk: Replace the negative thought with something more positive, productive, or motivating that supports your future success.

Working on your mental health is key to becoming an empowered and self-confident young adult. Self-esteem is an integral part of building a life you love, and the tips and tricks shared in this blog can help you take charge of your mental health in ways that make sense to you.

A teen girl with red hair poses for a selfie with her dog after benefitting from Chicago therapy for teens.

Strengthen Self-Esteem Through Family Therapy

In family counseling, Chicago teens have access to the support they need to strengthen their self-esteem and reinforce strong mental health practices. Family therapy at Pure Health Center offers teens the guidance they need from experienced therapists who can share effective strategies for navigating family dynamics and relationships. With the proper tools and techniques, family members can communicate better with each other and understand different viewpoints.

At Pure Health Center, we specialize in therapy for teenagers—finding ways to connect with them without brushing over their feelings and understanding that every teenager's journey is unique. Our approach ensures each teenager feels valued as an individual as we work with them to explore their goals. We are here to provide the tools and support to help you stay on the path to success. 

Whether you need one-to-one therapy or a family-focused approach, our evidence-based techniques can help you develop a positive mindset and unlock your teen’s potential. So, let's explore the possibility of growing your child's self-confidence together today.

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