All about Self-esteem by Teru Nakashima, Japan
Teru Nakashima: A Pioneer in Self-Esteem Psychology
# Teru Nakashima: Leading Voice in Self-Esteem Psychology
Teru Nakashima is a prominent Japanese psychological counselor, author, and public speaker who developed "Natural Psychology," an approach to enhancing self-acceptance and transforming lives. After overcoming severe personal struggles, including a decade as a hikikomori (social recluse) and multiple suicide attempts, he independently studied psychology and therapy, developing methods that led to his own recovery and eventually helping others.
## Core Theory and Methodology
Nakashima's theory of self-acceptance centers on six fundamental elements:
- Sense of Existence: Feeling one's life has value
- Sense of Competence: Believing in one's abilities
- Sense of Belonging: Feeling accepted in society
- Sense of Security: Having a safe space
- Self-Trust: Being reliable and dependable
- Self-Esteem: Recognizing one's inherent worth
His methodology follows three key steps:
1. Self-Recognition: Acknowledging all aspects of oneself
2. Self-Acceptance: Embracing one's complete self
3. Self-Affirmation: Recognizing one's inherent value
## Impact and Work
Nakashima has authored several bestselling books, including "Three Steps to Enhance Self-Acceptance" and "How to Love Yourself." He conducts training sessions nationwide for corporations, educational institutions, and hospitals. His YouTube channel and daily newsletter provide practical guidance on self-acceptance and personal growth.
His unique contribution includes the concept of "mental brakes" - unconscious blocks formed from past trauma and negative thought patterns. He teaches that true self-acceptance isn't about forced positivity but embracing one's authentic self completely. Nakashima also introduces "fudoshin" (immovable mind) as the ultimate state of self-acceptance - maintaining inner stability regardless of external circumstances.
His work particularly resonates in Japanese society, where issues of self-worth and social pressure are prevalent. Through seminars, books, digital content, and counseling sessions, Nakashima continues to provide hope and practical guidance to those struggling with self-acceptance, while his principles are increasingly applied in organizational development to improve workplace relationships and employee well-being.
All about Self-esteem by Teru Nakashima, Japan
Embracing Authentic Self-Acceptance: Lessons from Teru Nakashima
Teru Nakashima's refreshing approach to personal development cuts through typical self-help clichés with nuanced wisdom about our minds and potential. Unlike gurus who deal in absolutes, Nakashima embraces life's complexities with practical insights that feel both revolutionary and deeply intuitive.
His perspective on intuition as a double-edged sword challenges us to be discerning about our gut feelings, recognizing when emotions might be clouding our judgment. Rather than pursuing a singular "true self," Nakashima liberates us with the concept of multiple authentic selves – acknowledging that we naturally adapt to different contexts while remaining genuinely ourselves.
The "rewriting the failure script" technique offers a powerful way to transform how past disappointments affect us. Through visualization practices borrowed from sports psychology, we can shift our emotional responses to past events without denying reality. This pairs beautifully with his radical self-acceptance philosophy, which distinguishes between liking all parts of ourselves and simply acknowledging them as aspects of our whole being.
What truly sets Nakashima apart is his counterintuitive wisdom about confidence – that it typically follows action rather than preceding it. This perspective serves as an antidote to perfectionism and imposter syndrome, encouraging us to begin despite uncertainty. His seven-step goal achievement framework provides a structured approach while emphasizing self-awareness, specific actions, and continuous reflection.
Throughout his teachings, Nakashima weaves together practical techniques with profound insights about our inherent worth and interconnectedness with others. He reminds us that even individual achievements rest on a foundation of support from family, friends, mentors, and broader societal systems.
Whether you're feeling stuck in negative thought patterns, wrestling with self-doubt, or simply seeking a more authentic approach to personal growth, Nakashima's wisdom offers a refreshing alternative to one-size-fits-all self-improvement formulas. His message is clear: embrace your complexity, take action despite uncertainty, and trust that the universe responds when you commit to your path.
Teru Nakashima, All about Self-esteem
Hey everyone, welcome back. Today we're going on a deep dive into the work of Teru Nakashima.
Speaker 2:Who is he?
Speaker 1:Right. So Teru Nakashima is this Japanese self-help author and counselor, okay, and he's got some like really interesting perspectives on things like intuition, self-acceptance, you know, and just how our minds can shape our experience. Really.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:And we've got his writings to go off of and a few other notes.
Speaker 2:Okay, sounds good, yeah Cool.
Speaker 1:So one of the things that I find really interesting about him is he doesn't fit into that typical self-help guru mold.
Speaker 2:Yeah, he definitely brings something different to the table.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and I think it's his nuance. Like you know, he doesn't make it black and white Right nuance. Like you know, he doesn't make it black and white right. He's not afraid to like, challenge some of those you know typical self-help tropes, exactly like. One example is with intuition right oh yeah you'd think that a self-help guru would be all about trust your gut. Trust your gut, follow your intuition, right. But nakashima actually says that's not always the best idea that's interesting yeah, he says it's like a double-edged sword, right.
Speaker 2:I can see that.
Speaker 1:It can lead to some amazing opportunities, but I mean it can also like scare you totally wrong, Right. And so how do we tell the difference?
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:How do we like know when to act and when to you know, maybe pause?
Speaker 2:Yeah, I think it's a lot about being aware of your feelings and how those feelings might be influencing your perceptions. You know feelings and how those feelings might be influencing your perceptions. You know if you're feeling super stressed or angry. You know, maybe that's not the best time to make a huge life decision solely based on your gut feeling at that moment.
Speaker 1:Oh, for sure.
Speaker 2:You know, it's about taking a step back, assessing the situation and just seeing if your emotions are maybe like clouding your judgment a little bit.
Speaker 1:Yeah, that makes total sense. It's so easy to get caught up in the heat of the moment and just like go with whatever your gut is saying at that time, Right. And this actually ties into another one of Nakashima's ideas which I thought was really interesting.
Speaker 2:Okay, let's hear it.
Speaker 1:And that is his idea of the true self. Like he doesn't buy into this idea that there's just one fixed true self.
Speaker 2:So what's his take?
Speaker 1:He actually proposes that we all have multiple authentic selves.
Speaker 2:Oh, interesting.
Speaker 1:Right, and that we actually show up differently depending on the situation that we're in.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:Like. Think about how you act around your closest friends versus like at a work meeting.
Speaker 2:Oh, totally different.
Speaker 1:Yeah, totally different we're playing different roles, but each role is still genuinely a part of us.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. Psychologists actually have a name for this it's called personas, I believe.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:And Nakashima encourages us to kind of embrace this adaptability.
Speaker 1:That's a really cool idea because it takes the pressure off it does. Like we don't have to be the same person all the time. We can adapt to the situation that people were with.
Speaker 2:Exactly.
Speaker 1:Okay. Another thing that really stood out to me was his approach to you know how we deal with past failures.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:And he has this idea of rewriting the failure script. He calls it Okay. Tell me more. So, basically, what he says is that, you know, dwelling on past failures doesn't do us any good, right? All it does is reinforce this negative self-image, right? Okay, so what he suggests is that we actually actively visualize success in those situations.
Speaker 2:So like we're replacing that memory of messing up with a vision of how we could have done things differently. Yeah, yeah, exactly Okay.
Speaker 1:And it's actually a technique that's used a lot in sports psychology, and the idea is that, you know, by visualizing that positive outcome over and over again, we can actually like shift our emotional response to that past event.
Speaker 2:I see.
Speaker 1:So we're not denying the failure, but we're changing how it affects us. That's pretty cool, yeah, it's like giving yourself a second chance, but in your mind, right, yeah, okay, it seems like a lot of Nakashima's work is about challenging those negative self-beliefs that we tend to hold on to right. Absolutely, yeah. So this leads into another key concept of his, which is radical self-acceptance.
Speaker 2:Okay, I'm intrigued. What does he mean by radical self-acceptance?
Speaker 1:So for him it means saying like okay to all parts of ourselves, even the ones that we don't like.
Speaker 2:Even the ones we don't like.
Speaker 1:And he makes this distinction between like liking something and accepting something Right, like we don't have to force ourselves to like our negative traits, but we can simply acknowledge them and accept that they're there.
Speaker 2:Right, right.
Speaker 1:So it's not about, like you know, trying to like get rid of those parts of ourselves that we don't like. It's more about just recognizing that they're there and that they're a part of who we are.
Speaker 2:It's about like making peace with them. Yeah, ok.
Speaker 1:Yeah, I think that's a really important distinction, because I think a lot of our self-criticism comes from, like trying to deny or suppress those parts of ourselves that we don't like.
Speaker 2:For sure.
Speaker 1:And that just creates more inner conflict.
Speaker 2:Right.
Speaker 1:So it's about bringing in self-compassion and recognizing that you know we're all a mix of, like you know, light and shadow. We've got good parts and we've got, you know, parts that we might not be so proud of.
Speaker 2:It's about being a whole person. I like that.
Speaker 1:Now, one thing I'm curious about is his take on, you know, setting goals for success, Like. Does he have any specific advice on how to go about that?
Speaker 2:He does. He actually lays out a seven-step framework.
Speaker 1:Oh cool.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's pretty practical, really well-structured.
Speaker 1:Okay, I'm ready, lay it on me.
Speaker 2:Okay, so step one is to clarify your purpose. So really thinking about, like, what is it that you want to achieve and why is this important to you?
Speaker 1:so, starting with the why, exactly.
Speaker 2:And then step two is to you know set some specific goals that align with that purpose. So this means like getting really detailed, including dates, numbers. You know really specific actions that you're gonna take so making them really tangible. Yes, exactly, then step three is monitoring your progress. So so this is about regularly checking in with yourself, like, where are you at in relation to your goals?
Speaker 1:So what's next?
Speaker 2:Step four is analyzing the current situation. So this is about like taking stock of what's working, what's not working, what needs to change.
Speaker 1:Okay, so you're. You're kind of figuring out where you are on the map, exactly Okay.
Speaker 2:Then step five is developing a plan based on that analysis. So this is where you break down those goals into smaller, more manageable steps.
Speaker 1:Creating the roadmap yes, okay.
Speaker 2:And then step six is seeking support. So you know, identifying your strengths and your weaknesses and reaching out to people who can help you in those areas where you need it.
Speaker 1:Because we don't have to go it alone, right, right, we can get help from others. Exactly, okay.
Speaker 2:And then, finally, step seven is reflection. So this is, after you've achieved a goal, taking some time to actually review the process. You know, what did you learn? What would you do differently next time?
Speaker 1:So it's like a continuous cycle of learning it is and improving.
Speaker 2:Exactly, and you know it's interesting because this framework actually mirrors a lot of the project management and personal development strategies that are used in other fields. It's really about self-awareness, planning, building a support system, all of that.
Speaker 1:I see. So now, another point that I wanted to touch on was Nakashima's view on confidence.
Speaker 2:Okay.
Speaker 1:Or maybe more accurately, the lack of confidence. Right, okay, so he actually says that waiting to feel confident before taking action is a mistake. Like a lot of people, wait until they feel confident before they do something. But he's saying you know, that's not the way to go.
Speaker 2:Interesting, interesting, yeah. So what does he suggest?
Speaker 1:He's basically saying that confidence often comes after we start taking action, not before.
Speaker 2:I see. So it's not about waiting for the confidence to show up, it's about just doing it anyway.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and it can be scary, you know, right, because you're kind of taking a leap of faith.
Speaker 2:It's like that, saying fake it till you, make it. Sometimes you just have to like jump in, yeah, exactly, and just see what happens. Exactly, confidence will come.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and it makes me think of the concept of imposter syndrome, which, you know, it's that feeling of not being good enough who experience imposter syndrome? They, you know, they kind of hold themselves back because they're waiting to feel confident enough. Right, but what Nagashima is saying is that action is the antidote to that.
Speaker 2:So by taking action we actually start to see that we are capable, and that builds our confidence in a way that just waiting and hoping never could.
Speaker 1:Yeah, and it's kind of like we have to prove it to ourselves Exactly, we have to take that first step.
Speaker 2:Sometimes that's the only way to do it.
Speaker 1:Yeah, just to start, yeah.
Speaker 2:Even if it's messy.
Speaker 1:That's a powerful message, I think, for anyone who's struggling with self-doubt.
Speaker 2:It is. It's about shifting our focus from waiting for the perfect conditions to just taking that first step Right. From waiting for the perfect conditions to just taking that first step, you know, even if it's imperfect, you know. It's interesting. Nakashima points out that even when we achieve something great, it's rarely a solo effort.
Speaker 1:Yeah, he makes a good point about that Like even individual achievements, you know they're usually built on, like this, foundation of support from other people.
Speaker 2:Right. He reminds us to consider all the people who contribute to our success. You know it could be family, friends, mentors, or even just the people who created the systems we depend on, like without even realizing it.
Speaker 1:It's so true. I think it's really easy to get caught up in your own bubble, your own efforts, and forget about all of those other contributions.
Speaker 2:It really is, and he encourages us to cultivate gratitude for all those, like unseen hands, that help us along the way. It's about recognizing that whole network of support that helps us reach our goals.
Speaker 1:That reminds me of what we were talking about earlier. You know his ideas about collaboration and mentorship, like how we can accomplish so much more when we work together and support each other.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. He's really emphasizing that interconnectedness, that web of support, and encouraging us to celebrate the contributions of others.
Speaker 1:It's a good reminder that we're not in this alone.
Speaker 2:We're not. And you know what this idea of interconnectedness actually leads nicely into another one of Nakashima's big themes, the concept of inherent worth.
Speaker 1:Oh yeah, he talks about that a lot like how everyone has value just by being themselves, regardless of their achievements or external validation.
Speaker 2:Exactly, and he actually draws on the philosophy of Ralph Waldo Emerson, who had this beautiful idea that each person has a unique and valuable contribution to offer the world.
Speaker 1:I love that, and to help us tap into that belief, nakashima offers some really practical tips for cultivating a sense of inherent worth.
Speaker 2:He does. He suggests four key things, okay. First, don't let the opinions of others dictate your worth. Second, express your own opinions freely, you know, don't be afraid to speak your mind. Third, recognize your own unique abilities and talents. And finally, remember that you already have the capacity to be recognized and appreciated by others.
Speaker 1:This is like own your strengths, find your voice and don't rely on outside sources to tell you what you're worth.
Speaker 2:Exactly, it's about shifting that focus from external approval to internal acceptance and self-belief.
Speaker 1:That shift sounds so important, but it also sounds incredibly challenging, especially in a world where we're constantly bombarded with messages that measure our worth by external achievements and comparisons.
Speaker 2:It definitely is a challenge, but Nakashima reminds us that true worth comes from within. It's about recognizing the inherent value of who you are, not what you do or what others think about you.
Speaker 1:It almost feels like we have to reprogram our brains to focus on our inherent worth, rather than seeking that external validation we're so used to.
Speaker 2:That's a great way to put it, and it's an ongoing practice. It's about making that conscious choice to believe in yourself, even when you're surrounded by messages that might contradict that belief.
Speaker 1:It's like building a muscle, isn't it? The more we practice believing in ourselves, the stronger that belief becomes.
Speaker 2:Love. That analogy and this idea of trusting in yourself leads perfectly into another one of Nakashima's fascinating concepts the idea that the universe has your back.
Speaker 1:Okay, I've been wondering about that one. What does he mean by the universe has your back.
Speaker 2:Well, he suggests that when we commit to our goals and take action, the universe kind of conspires to support us. He believes that opportunities will appear, resources will become available, even seemingly random encounters will happen, all to help us along the way.
Speaker 1:So it's like the universe is secretly working behind the scenes to help us achieve our dreams.
Speaker 2:That's the idea, and to illustrate this concept, he shares a personal story about a CEO who consistently visited him during a period when Nakashima was withdrawn from society for about 10 years.
Speaker 1:Wow, that's amazing.
Speaker 2:Right, and what's remarkable is that the CEO's visits, which might seem like small actions, had a huge impact on Nakashima. It speaks to this idea that when we put ourselves out there and pursue our goals, support can arrive in the most unexpected ways.
Speaker 1:It's like there's this invisible web of connections and synchronicity and we can tap into it if we're open to it.
Speaker 2:Precisely, and Nakashima's idea about the universe having our back actually aligns with some other interesting concepts you might have heard of, like synchronicity, the law of attraction or the power of intention.
Speaker 1:I've always been intrigued by those ideas. They can seem a bit mystical, but there's something undeniably compelling about the notion that our energy and actions can actually influence the world around us.
Speaker 2:I agree. It's about trusting that when you take that first step towards your goal, the universe will meet you halfway.
Speaker 1:It's such an empowering thought.
Speaker 2:It is, and it brings us to Nakashima's final point in his writings the power of affirmations.
Speaker 1:Oh yeah, he's a big advocate for those right. He specifically recommends using the phrase deki chata, which I believe means I did it.
Speaker 2:Exactly. And what's interesting is he suggests using it in the present perfect tense.
Speaker 1:Why the present perfect tense?
Speaker 2:Well, he explains that using that tense reinforces a sense of accomplishment, even if you're still working towards the goal. It strengthens self-belief by affirming that you've already achieved what you set out to do.
Speaker 1:So it's like a way to reprogram your thinking, to believe in your own success even before you've fully reached the finish line.
Speaker 2:Exactly. It's about reinforcing that belief you are capable of achieving your goals.
Speaker 1:It seems like such a powerful tool for shifting your mindset.
Speaker 2:It really is, and you know what Using affirmations actually aligns with the other techniques we've been talking about, like visualization and positive self-talk. It's all about using the power of your mind to shape your reality.
Speaker 1:So are there other examples of affirmations that people use or specific ways to integrate them into daily life?
Speaker 2:Absolutely. You can find tons of resources online and in books with affirmations for all sorts of goals like building confidence, cultivating self-love, attracting success anything you can think of.
Speaker 1:So the key is to find affirmations that really speak to you personally, and then make a habit of repeating them consistently.
Speaker 2:Exactly, it's about making it a regular practice, almost like a mental workout.
Speaker 1:Well, we've really gone deep on this one.
Speaker 2:We have haven't we? I mean, this has been a really fascinating deep dive into Nakashima's work.
Speaker 1:Yeah.
Speaker 2:Like from intuition, self-acceptance, you know, even like the idea of the universe, you know kind of having our backs.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it's pretty mind-.
Speaker 2:It is yeah, and as I've been kind of reflecting on everything we've talked about, you know it's interesting because I'm struck by how Nakashima's approach, you know it's not really about achieving, like this external definition of success. You know.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:It's about something more, you know. It's about, like, cultivating self-awareness, embracing all parts of yourself.
Speaker 1:Right.
Speaker 2:And recognizing your connection to the world around you.
Speaker 1:Yeah, it feels so much more holistic than the typical self-help advice you hear.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. He's encouraging us to live more intentionally, to be authentic, to be genuine and to trust that we have this power within us to create the life that we really want.
Speaker 1:So, as we wrap up this Jeep, dive into Nakashima's ideas, what stands out to you as like maybe the most powerful, or maybe even the most unexpected concept that you know we could really apply to our own lives.
Speaker 2:You know, I think, looking back over everything we've talked about, the thing that really resonates with me is his emphasis on action. You know, it's not just about thinking positive thoughts or or embracing self-acceptance like in theory, right right it's about like actually putting those ideas into practice, like in the real world, you know yeah, yeah.
Speaker 2:He's all about taking action, even if it's just a small step, and trusting that things will unfold from there exactly, and I think that's such an important message, you know, for anyone who's like feeling stuck or you know unsure of where to start, like you don't have to wait for the perfect moment or the perfect feeling to get started.
Speaker 1:You can literally start creating the life you want right now, in this very moment it's about taking ownership and making choices that align with our values and our goals, not waiting for permission or or validation from you know outside sources.
Speaker 2:Yes, exactly I love that and you know outside sources. Yes, exactly, I love that. And you know, nakashima actually provides us with such a practical framework for doing just that, you know.
Speaker 1:You know, as you were talking about that, I was thinking back to his idea about you know the universe having our backs.
Speaker 2:And.
Speaker 1:I was thinking like what if, sometimes, that support, you know, what if it comes in the form of challenges? What if like the obstacles that we face? What if it comes in the form of challenges? What if like the obstacles that we face? What if they're actually opportunities for growth and learning, just kind of like disguised in a different form?
Speaker 2:Oh, that is such a brilliant question. That's such a great point. It's all about shifting our perspective on challenges, isn't it Like? Instead of viewing setbacks as as failures, you know what if we could actually see them as as chances to test our resilience, you know, develop new skills and ultimately become stronger versions of ourselves.
Speaker 1:Honestly, that's something I've always struggled with. You know, I tend to view setbacks as you know failures.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:Like it's hard to reframe that in my mind. Yeah, how can we practically like shift our thinking, you know, to see those obstacles as opportunities?
Speaker 2:I think it takes practice. You know it's not easy, but I think a really good starting point is to like, when you encounter a challenge, just pause for a moment and and ask yourself two questions Like, first of all, what can I learn from this experience you know? And second, how can this experience help me grow?
Speaker 1:Yeah, those are really good questions to reflect on.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 1:And it does feel like such a powerful shift in perspective to view challenges that way.
Speaker 2:It is it really is. And you know that shift in perspective. I think it embodies the essence of Nakashima's work. You know it's about embracing the journey with all its like twists and turns, ups and downs, and trusting that we have the inner strength to navigate any obstacle that comes our way.
Speaker 1:I love that. It's about trusting in yourself and trusting in the process, even when things get tough.
Speaker 2:Absolutely.
Speaker 1:Well, as we wrap up this deep dive, what is one final thought or question you'd like to leave our listeners with?
Speaker 2:Okay, here's something to think about. You know, nakashima talks a lot about how the universe supports us. You know, when we commit to our goals right but what if that support often comes in forms that we don't expect, like foams that we might not immediately recognize as being helpful? What if those, those challenging moments you know the ones that we like tend to resist or try to avoid you know what if those are actually the universe's way of pushing us to grow, to expand beyond our comfort zones?
Speaker 1:you know, that's a really thought-provoking idea. It's almost like flipping the script on how we view challenges and setbacks.
Speaker 2:Exactly Like. What if those obstacles are actually exactly what we need to experience in order to to reach our full potential?
Speaker 1:Yeah, that is a really powerful shift in perspective. It's about trusting the journey and recognizing that, like every experience, even the difficult ones can serve a purpose in our growth.
Speaker 2:Absolutely. And with that we'll leave you to ponder that question and to continue your own exploration of self-affirmation and mindset.
Speaker 1:leave you to ponder that question and to continue your own exploration of self-affirmation and mindset. Thank you so much for joining us for this deep dive into the work of Taro Nakashima. Remember his words Dekichata, you got this. Embrace those challenges, trust your intuition and keep taking those powerful steps towards the life that you envision.
