During their popular #SelfLove campaign, Glitter Magazine recently asked me:

“What does self-love mean to you?”

Watch this short video to see my answer:

This topic is so important because, as I said in the video, self-love is the key to success.

The good news is no matter how you think or feel about yourself now…

It can get much better.

When I think about how much my opinion of myself has evolved over my lifetime, I am absolutely astounded.

I was a slow starter

You see, I wasn’t a smart, good or happy child.

I didn’t like school so I didn’t do my homework. And I hung out with the wrong crowd. So, I’d get in trouble at school and then I’d get in trouble at home.

Unfortunately, things got worse before they got better…

I dropped out of high school and got a series of low-paying jobs, including one where my boss fired me after just one hour!

But then…

Someone stepped in

When I was 26, a man named Ray Stanford sat me down. He said, “Bob, you are just flat-out miserable. You’re always sick. You don’t have a terminal illness or anything, but you’ve always got a headache or a cold or something. And you’re always broke.”

Then, he talked me into studying Think and Grow Rich, and my life quickly started to change.

A few years later, after several experiences in which I was successful, I began to look at myself and realize that there might be more to me than I’d ever given myself credit for.

So, I studied human potential, paid attention to myself and started to become clear about who and what I was.

And for the first time in my life, I realized that I’m not only okay, but I have much to offer the world. I took stock and realized that I’m just as loveable, valuable and competent as everyone else.

The yeast that raises the dough

Anyone who has ever done any research into human potential will be quick to tell you that you have infinite potential.

So, if you have doubts about yourself, instead of buying into who you think you see in the mirror today, take some time to re-evaluate your beliefs.

Self-love is really about self-knowledge. If you knew who and what you are, it would be impossible not to love yourself.

The more you understand yourself, the more you’ll love yourself. And the more you love yourself, the more you’ll love others.

Rediscover the amazing person
you’ve always been

I believe it’s important that we spend time alone with no outside distractions.

Think about it. The more time we spend with another person, the better we get to know them. Well, the same is true for our self.

Making time to visit with our self is a good investment, something we can be richly rewarded for. We become friendlier toward our self and develop a deeper respect for our real potential as a creative being.

I am well aware that there are people who cannot tolerate being alone. They must be with someone or doing something constantly.

I lived a good part of my life like that. I never enjoyed being alone, because I did not enjoy my own company. I wasn’t a very interesting companion, for me or anyone else—until I began to get in touch with my real potential.

If you are busy and often on the move as I am, you might want to do something I do: Schedule a little time to visit with yourself, time for a little introspection.

Getting to know your real self is one of the most important things you’ll ever do. You’ll discover just how interesting, creative and loveable you can be, and it will change your life. And there’s a good chance it will change someone else’s life too!

To your success,

Bob Proctor