Self-Concept and Communication

1. Describe a time when you tried to bring about a change in your self-concept and were not successful in doing so. One thing I tried to change about myself was to quit smoking. This was a time in my life when I was in a bad relationship. I never smoke a day in my life until that day I met my ex-boyfriend. I been smoking for 5 years now and it’s hard to get off. I smoke more when I’ am drinking only on occasions. I tried once before and it just didn’t work. I think the practical reason why stopping smoking is so hard for me is because of the people I continue to hang out with are smokers. They are like triggers and it’s said to say that I always relapse when I get around them. I tried to look at this situation to be a mind thing, but it’s not. I never tried any medications to help me quit smoking. What I did was I quit cold turkey and I failed. I don’t like taking medication, because I have a lot of side effects to different medications. I decided to stop hanging around people that smokes, so that I can help myself. When all my attempts to stop smoking failed...I decided that it was time to take care of me.

2. Summarize the guidelines for improving self-concept in our textbook and explain how each might apply to a change in self-concept. Here are the self-concept guidelines:

 make a firm commitment to personal growth
• Understand yourself- Being able to achieve what you want out of life. List your values and what’s important to you.
• Believe in yourself and your potential –when you believe in yourself your life will be totally different and you will have a different attitude.
• Set your goals- make a plan for the path in which you want to go.
 Gain and Use Knowledge to Support Personal Growth
• By trying to quit smoking I can gain the knowledge needed by seeking the proper help that will educates, trains, encourages, advises, guides, suggests (resources & tools, methods & techniques, strategies & tactics etc.) evaluates growth, gives critical