Self-esteem Check

Two simple steps to improve your self-esteem

A large percentage of people in the world suffer from low self-esteem.

Nathaniel Branden, who is known for his extensive work in the field of self-esteem, defines self-esteem as the disposition to experience oneself as being competent to cope with the basic challenges of life and of being worthy of happiness.

Self-esteem refers to a person’s overall sense of his or her competency and worth. Various studies have confirmed that self-esteem has a direct relationship with our overall well-being- our personal life, career, relationships, and our journey.

Low self-esteem stops you from living the best version of your life. It hinders you from sharing your ideas and experiences, setting ambitious goals, taking risks that could help you accomplish your goals, asking for what you want, accepting criticism, or acknowledging your mistakes.

Self-doubts result from beliefs that have been programmed into you over the year by your family, society, culture, media, etc.

At the back of your mind, you have these gnawing thoughts:

I am not good enough.

I am not brave enough.

I am not pretty enough.

I don’t deserve it.

I am not articulate enough.

I am not worthy.

I am not talented enough.

I am not slim enough.

Think about it. Who tells you those things? It is mostly you telling it to yourself that because you heard it as a child, or sadly even as an adult. As you heard it over and over again, you internalized it and it became your belief system.

The next time you find yourself making such statements do this

Step 1: Acknowledge that it’s just a belief and accept the feelings you feel.

Step 2: Question the truth in the statement. Most often you will realize it is not true. It has been fabricated by your belief system.

If it’s true and you can’t change it, accept it and own it.

If it’s true and you can and want to change it, take action.

If it’s true and you can change it, but don’t want to change it, accept it and own it.

Stop being a perfectionist. Nobody is perfect. Adjust your expectations of yourself.

This was the biggest lesson I learned this year from Jack Canfield in his training program. Solid self-esteem provides us with belief in our abilities and acceptance of ourselves for who we are and it will reflect in different aspects of our life.

Categories: : inspiration