Share your life problems, concerns and worries with our Agony Aunt and professional, qualified Counsellor, Esha Johnson.

Question: Previously I attended an all-girls school and I noticed a lot of negative stereotypes that were related to teenage girls; especially from teachers who often predicted that we would not be successful in life. What advice can you offer in order to motivate young girls to do their best in life?  - Zeina, 19 from Birmingham

Dear Zeina

If I understand this question accurately, could you be possibly asking the question in reference to yourself? Even if you are, I am pleased to know that you are aiming to be the best you can be without adhering to any former stereotypes that you have been labelled with.  My guess is someone at some stage, possibly a teacher, said something to you which has knocked your confidence and therefore causing you to doubt yourself.

Zeina as you journey through life you will find people who will make negative comments about you, however you have the ability to choose whether or not you believe what is said about or to you. Unfortunately, in today’s society many schools seem to be made up of teachers who are incapable of extracting the best out of the students in their care; that is not your fault.

You may not be able to change what has already been said to you in the past, but you have a responsibility to yourself to be the best that you can be. You owe it to yourself to take control and motivate yourself to move forward and fulfil your true purpose and potential. You can achieve anything you want to when you believe in yourself; Author Iyanla Vanzant once said “Everything that happens to you is a reflection of what you believe about yourself. We cannot outperform our level of self-esteem. We cannot draw to ourselves more than we think we are worth.”

Zeina, sometimes in life we can be our biggest enemies and if you predict the worst for your life you will encounter the worst but if you predict the best then you will succeed. Today I dare you to look in the mirror, agree with L’Oreal, & say to yourself ‘I AM WORTH IT.’ I encourage you right now, in 2014, to shine and become a catalyst for other young girls.