Thirty-Five

Positive Suggestions
for Ego Strength
"People tend to become more of the behaviours you identify, so identify positive qualities and
strengths rather than negative qualities and failings. To avoid imposing your values upon the
people, ask them what qualities they possess or see in others, that help them or that they think
are important."
 Thirty-Five Positive Suggestions for Ego Strength
by Daniel Keeran, MSW, President,
College of Mental Health Counselling, Victoria, Canada

Y OU ARE OPEN TO INFORMATION IN Y OUR SEARCH FOR MEANING

Different personalities may require different approaches. The self-absorbed person may need “constructive
feedback” while the one with low self-esteem may benefit from positive suggestions. People tend to become more of a
positive quality and the sense of self-worth is strengthened when you commend their positive quality. The encourager
looks for positive qualities already existing in the person, that can be nurtured and strengthened. The person being
encouraged must perceive your sincerity, and giving an example as proof of a quality, increases the therapeutic effect.
The person you commend feels a desire to fulfill the expectation of the positive quality you acknowledge in them.
The intentional use of positive statements for a predictable benefit, can accurately be termed “Positive Suggestion
Therapy,” and the reader can add more examples to values listed here:

1. “You are a kind and considerate person, yet balanced, often thinking of others while supporting
yourself in the process.”
2. “You are very loyal and responsible. If you commit to a task, you can be trusted to fulfill it.”
3. “You are honest and transparent. For you, personal integrity is a greater treasure than immense
material wealth.”
4. “You think of the needs of others, and you look for ways to help people thrive.”
5. “You speak up for yourself and for people who cannot speak for themselves.”
6. “You possess a high level of self-awareness, and you can be very positive, supportive, and
encouraging of other people as well.”
7. “Your knowledge and intelligence are assets that you use for the good of others and yourself.”
8. “Your creative ability is obvious from your thinking patterns requiring many aspects to be
organized.”
9. “Your compassion is apparent from the way you care for others.”
10. “Your insight and self-awareness help you understand your patterns in life and how they work for
you and against you, and how you can heal and find solutions, and how to create your own
positive suggestions.”
11. “You are making important contributions to the improvement of your own life and of the well-
being of others.”
12. “What are some examples of strengths or positive things about you that people sometimes, or
perhaps often, overlook?”
13. “Your interest in spiritual things gives depth, inner peace, meaning, hope, and health to your life
and the people whose lives you touch.”
14. “What qualities do you see in yourself and others that you think are important or helpful?”
15. “You are a kind and generous person.”
16. “You are sensitive to others needs and feelings.”
17. “You are very respectful of others, and people know you value them.”
18. “You are gentle even with those who oppose you.”
19. “You possess empathic ability and connect well with others emotions.”
20. “You listen well to others.”
21. “You are very patient.”
22. “You are slow to become angry or irritated and you never become hurtful of others.”
23. “If you have a need or emotion, you are able to let people know in a respectful way.”
24. “You are interested in getting to the truth and telling others about it.”
25. “Your honesty is what helps people trust you.”
26. “You can keep a secret when asked to do so.”
27. “You won’t let yourself be walked on or taken advantage of.”
28. “You like to have order but not by demanding, controlling or intimidating others.”
29. “You encourage others by acknowledging their positive qualities.”
30. “You are emotionally available when people near you need your support.”
31. “You place people above things as a basic value or belief.”
32. “You have effective practical approaches to problems.”
33. “You are not defensive in the face of criticism but rather accept as much responsibility as you can
for what others accuse you.”
34. “You express gratitude and appreciation for what others do for you.”
35. “You give hope by creating choices and keeping an optimistic outlook when challenges arise.”

For more practical content see www.ctihalifax.com