Starter: What does this quote mean to you? “WANTING TO BE SOMEONE ELSE IS A WASTE OF THE PERSON YOU ARE.” -Marilyn Monroe

1.3 POSITIVE IDENTITY Chapter 7.2 Standard 6.3a UNIT 1 – PERSONAL HEALTH

Objectives: Standard 1 Objective 1a: Recognize how personal self-concept relates to interactions with others. Objective 4a: Review components of healthy relationships.

Personal Identity Personal Identity- These are the pieces that give you a sense of yourself and make you unique. They include; Your interests Your likes and dislikes Your talents and abilities Your values and beliefs Your goals

Developmental Assets Developmental Assets-These are the building blocks that develop your personal identity and help you grow into a responsible caring individual.

External Assets empower you through experiences and expectations. Constructive Use of Time Support Boundaries and Expectations Empowerment Support: Family, friends, community, etc. Empowerment: being valued by adults in community, having purpose by having a role in the community, feeling safe at home/school/and in community. Boundaries: rules and regulations in your home/family, school, community, city, etc. Positive adult role models and peer influences. Constructive use of time: creative activities, extra-curricular activities, sports. Avoiding time wasters. External Assets empower you through experiences and expectations.

Internal Assets Positive Identity Commitment to Learning Positive Values Social Communication Commitment to learning: desire to learn, reading, thirst for knowledge, life-long learner. Positive Values: Compassion, empathy, equality, social justice, integrity, honesty, responsibility, self-control. Social Communication: planning and decision making, interpersonal communication, having knowledge, tolerance of different cultures, refusal skills, conflict resolution skills. Positive Identity: personal power, high self-esteem, sense of purpose, positive future outlook. Internal Assets help develop and guide your decision making.

Steps to Developing a Healthy Identity Recognize your strengths and weaknesses Demonstrate positive values Develop purpose in your life Form meaningful relationships Contribute to the community Avoid risky behaviors

1. Recognizing Your Strengths and Weaknesses Accept your strengths and take pride in them Be honest in identifying both (this isn’t always easy especially with weaknesses) Identify weaknesses without being overly critical Set goals for improvement Use a strength to address a weakness

2.Demonstrate Positive Values YOUR ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN YOUR WORDS, THOUGHTS, and/or INTENTIONS These are beliefs and ideas about what is important in your life Your values should be reflected in how you behave Consistent demonstration of personal values reinforce positive identity Values: being honest, respectful

3.Develop Purpose in your Life Establish goals and work to achieve them Short term goals (passing a test, being on time to class, etc.) Long term goals (going to college, getting married, etc.) What is your purpose in life? What do you want your purpose to be?

4. Form Meaningful Relationships Develop relationships that build you up Helps reinforce purpose in your life Enables you to express yourself in a positive way Gives you a support system that will help you build confidence Gives you a sense of belonging and security With whom do you share meaningful relationships with?

5. Contribute to the Community Your community is your extended support system that provides services and/or resources to meet your needs Giving back to the community helps develop a sense of accomplishment and strengthens confidence Applying your strengths to build others will also strengthen you Citizenship-The way you conduct yourself as a member of the community.

6. Avoid Risky Behaviors Healthy risk taking can have a positive effect on development Engaging in sports, artistry, creative activities, public speaking or performing arts all have an element of risk Risky behaviors includes; tobacco use, drug use, alcohol abuse, reckless driving, etc. Risky behaviors can result in low self esteem and harm to self and others Refusal Skills – Communication strategies that can help you say no when you are urged to take part in behaviors that are unsafe, unhealthful, or that go against your values.

Self-Esteem and Positive Outlook What is Self-Esteem? Self-esteem is the understanding that you are a unique and valuable human being Self-esteem is not arrogance (being cocky) How you feel about yourself is reflected in how you take care of yourself Positive outlook is an optimistic approach to life (cup is always half full, not half empty) Individuals with high self-esteem and a positive outlook live longer, healthier, lives.

Constructive Criticism – non-hostile comments that point out problems and encourage improvement. When someone corrects you, do you get defensive? Do you understand why we correct and then encourage?