Are self-confident people as insecure on the inside as you? There are many people in your world that appear confident on the outside, but are relying on their Pretend to make it through the day. Now, the Pretend self is one of three selves that make up our personality.

First of all there is the Pretend self. This identity will fake it until you make it to manage life obstacles. Then, there is the Negative self. This identity focuses on all your negative habits and projects a detrimental image of the self. Lastly, there is the Authentic self. The Authentic self is the tender person you truly are at the core.

We hide behind the Pretend self for fear of being judged. We put a lot of energy in this endeavor. Over time, we actually forget the Authentic self since we use the Pretend self so much. We use Pretend self because we’re afraid of not fitting in.

When someone criticizes you, it is the Negative self that will latch onto those words. This self starts a running loop of negativity that constantly plays in the background. Particular triggers will activate the Negative Self. If someone calls you a name, you become upset. Your Negative self believes that you represent that remark. “Any negative traits you identify are not really yours – they belong to your negative self-image, and were programmed into to you when you were a child. By identifying them honestly, you can let them go,” states Paul McKenna in Change Your Life in Seven Days.

On the contrary of the hiding and negativity, the Authentic self is the real you. This identity is the one with big dreams and noble goals. The Authentic self is filled with so much joy when loved ones are near and completely unstoppable when allowed to flourish. Once you identify the negative and false ideas that you have, you can access that Authentic self. You can change your life. You can develop that confidence by reading self help books such as Change Your Life in Seven Days. Once you fix yourself on the inside, you then can fix the external forces in your life.

Roxane Wehr believes the longest journey begins where you stand. Make that choice today and find that you can change your life in seven days.