how to improve self esteem

Self-esteem is related to our inner voice – the voice that tells us when we are capable of reaching our goals. It is about how we value ourselves, our expectations and opinions about what we are capable of, and who we are as individuals ("Improving Self-Esteem | Skills You Need," 2017). Self-esteem is not determined by one's talent or qualifications, as someone who is an expert at anything will have poor or low self-esteem. On the same note, a person can struggle with one thing but have strong or high self-esteem in another. Self-esteem refers to how people feel about themselves. Feeling down from time to time may be normal for people but when the feeling is ever present it’s an indication of low self-esteem. Low self-esteem, therefore, means that an individual has negative ideas about their self-worth and value as a person. Such ideas may include being a critic of oneself, focusing on one's negatives and ignoring one's accomplishments, making a personal comparison to others, failure to accept any compliments that are given to oneself, and having a negative self-talk. It is difficult sometimes to identify what causes one's low self-esteem. The cause of one's low self-esteem may even be something that never crosses one's mind. However, some of the common causes of one's low self-esteem include loneliness, early childhood bullying, neglect, abuse, poor academic performances, the feeling of being the odd one out, being unemployed, among others ("Steps to improve self-esteem," 2017). This essay is an extension of combating low self-esteem, and it highlights, describes and analyses the steps that an individual can take towards improving their self-esteem.

Increasing one's self-esteem is a personal task and it begins with understanding and accepting that one has low self-esteem. There are various measures that an individual can take towards increasing their self-esteem. Such measures and steps to increasing one's self-esteem are as discussed below:

Positive self-talk

One's perception of himself or herself hugely influences one's self-esteem. Noting is more powerful than the power of the mind and the tongue; if you keep telling yourself that you are not good enough, you might just believe with time even though it not be true. Practicing positive talk about yourself even in times of doubt helps build your confidence levels and thus improve your self-esteem ("Steps to improve self-esteem," 2017).

Stop or don’t compare yourself to others

People cannot be the same – even blood brothers don’t share the same qualities and skills. Your friends may be good at one thing for example playing table tennis than you are but what is worth remembering is that everyone’s is good at something. Find that something that you are great at and be a pro at it – concentrate on your strengths.

Exercise

Bodily exercise is good for one’s health it keeps one fit. Exercising also improves one mood and turns one’s mind from negative ideas to positive ideas as it opens up our way of thinking. Exercise may prove the easiest and quickest step towards improving one’s self-esteem.

Do not strive to be perfect. No one is 100% perfect; being perfect is next to impossible. What this step teaches to do is for an individual to come to terms with his or her imperfection rather than seeing it as a failure.

Stop beating yourself up when you make a mistake

It's human nature to make mistakes – everyone makes a mistake and your case should not be any different. When you make a mistake, don't stress up, learn from it and move on from it ("Steps to improve self-esteem," 2017).

Focus only on the things you can change

There is no benefit in wasting your energy on things that you cannot change even if you live a 1000 years. Think about the thing under your control and see how you can change or improve them.

Do things that you enjoy

Positive thinking is a subset of doing things that you enjoy doing. Do things that give you a sense of fun and relaxation.

Celebrate the even the small stuff

Huge progress cannot be made overnight. When you are starting small for example in a business situation, celebrate the small things that you achieve. This will help you not to compare your business with the one on the opposite side of the street.

Be helpful and considerate to others

Help people that are in need. By so doing you may find your sense of self-worth and identification making you feel good about yourself.

Surround yourself with supportive people

Choose your friend’s circle well. Don’t surround yourself with people who bring you down. Surround yourself with people who trigger positive thinking – people who will make you feel good about yourself

Low self-esteem levels at the extreme may lead to suicide. To avoid such an outcome an individual can apply the above basic measures improve his or her self-esteem. If the above measures are not enough in increasing one’s self-esteem one can talk to trusted friend or family member. If talking about it with a friend or family member is not helpful you can always seek the help of a qualified professional in this field ("Steps to improve self-esteem," 2017).

References

Improving Self-Esteem | Skills You Need. (2017). Skillsyouneed.com. Retrieved 8 January 2017, from http://www.skillsyouneed.com/ps/self-esteem.html

Steps to improve self-esteem. (2017). ReachOut.com. Retrieved 8 January 2017, from http://au.reachout.com/steps-to-improve-self-esteem