We as parents place so much effort and energy into offering our children all kinds of extracurricular opportunities. And much of it is worthwhile and beneficial. However, after having been a parent of three for 15 years now, I have come to believe that my greatest efforts with my children should be spent letting them know that it is OK to be simply themselves.
So once a day, cup your hands around your children's cheeks, look them in the eye and declare out loud, "I give you permission to be fully yourself. I LOVE you just the way you are!"
Then model it in your actions, too.