| When people talk about improving self-esteem, they | | | | 5. Make it a point to improve yourself daily. Whatever |
| usually mean self-confidence. While the two are | | | | you do, say or think should be geared towards |
| related, they are not exactly the same. Self-esteem is | | | | improving your self-esteem. Improve the way you |
| all about self-worth and self-value. It's how we see | | | | dress, walk or talk. Take further studies to hone your |
| ourselves in relation to other people and our | | | | knowledge and skills, learn a new language, take up |
| environment. It has nothing to do with vanity or conceit. | | | | cooking classes, start a new hobby. Being able to |
| The lack of self-esteem is a major problem and has a | | | | immerse yourself in worthwhile activity creates a |
| leveling quality. Rich and poor alike are afflicted by it | | | | feeling of capability and opens new opportunities for |
| and people decide between happiness and | | | | growth. |
| unhappiness because of it. If self-esteem is an area in | | | | 6. Keep away from people who shoot you down with |
| your life where you need improvement, here are some | | | | snide remarks and unfair criticisms. Associate with |
| tips you can use to build your self-value and improve | | | | positive people. There will always be grouches and |
| the way you see yourself: | | | | negativists who will think nothing about giving careless |
| 1. Know what you want. You can't assess where you | | | | opinions that make other people think unworthy of |
| are in your journey if you have no idea what you want | | | | praise or recognition. If you find people who make it |
| to have in life. You also will not be able to judge | | | | their life mission to belittle other people's achievements, |
| whether you've been doing a good job or just so-so. | | | | keep your distance. They will not contribute anything |
| Set goals that are clear and doable. Make sure that | | | | good to your life. |
| these are things you want to do and attain, and not | | | | 7. Be yourself. You'll never improve your self-esteem if |
| things your parents, family, friends and colleagues insist | | | | you try to live life and find acceptance as a projected |
| you 'should' have. Is it just the latest trends that dictate | | | | mask of yourself. Pretending to be someone you're |
| your aspirations? If so, you will never catch up and be | | | | not will fail to affirm your uniqueness and potential and |
| satisfied. You can only claim your goals as your own if | | | | will only make you sadder about your circumstance. |
| you recognize them as things you truly, genuinely want | | | | You can't make everyone love you, so don't try. |
| in your life. | | | | 8. Make other people feel good about themselves. |
| 2. Assess your good points. List the things that you do | | | | People tend to like you more if you're honest and |
| well and the things that make you a good person. It | | | | pleasant. Polish your listening skills and body language |
| could be anything intelligence, a good sense of humor, | | | | to make people feel comfortable. Respond to them |
| good analytical ability, compassion, creativity, ability to | | | | visibly and with interest. |
| spot trends, people skills, things that you have and | | | | You might think that this is the opposite of what you |
| recognize as an integral part of your personality and | | | | want to do to improve your self-esteem but by |
| talents. No matter how low you feel in your life, these | | | | actually focusing your attention on other people, you |
| are qualities that you never lose. | | | | create an aura of likeability that they gravitate |
| 3. Recognize your liabilities. Improving your self-esteem | | | | towards, making them choose you over others. And |
| does not mean ignoring the things that make you | | | | when you are singled out as a good person who's |
| human. To be human is to make mistakes, just do not | | | | terrific to be with, your self-esteem grows. |
| let them keep you stuck. List your negative traits and | | | | 9. You have the right to make mistakes. Nobody's |
| label them as areas in your life you need to work on, | | | | perfect, regardless of what you've heard or what |
| areas for improvement. Treating them as downright | | | | popular media wants you to believe. By accepting that |
| liabilities will make them seem an unalterable feature of | | | | you will make mistakes and that it's all right, you learn |
| your life and create a feeling that you are helpless | | | | to recognize that it is a necessary process you need |
| against them. | | | | to go through in order for you to improve yourself. |
| 4. Build slowly but surely. Take little steps to improve | | | | 10. Recognize that you are a unique individual with a |
| your self-esteem. Big successes build upon small | | | | different set of talents and that you have something to |
| successes. You can't decide to change your outlook | | | | contribute. You may not be a big celebrity like Justin |
| drastically today and expect extreme results in the | | | | Timberlake, as rich as Bill Gates or as powerful as |
| morning. By taking it slowly and performing well during | | | | Oprah Winfrey, but your individuality makes you as |
| each turn, you gradually build a solid base of | | | | important as they are, with as much right to exist and |
| achievements that will boost your self-esteem more | | | | make something of yourself. |
| effectively. | | | | |