More Steps to Raise Your Self-Esteem
I got a flood of responds from yesterday’s entry about authority and power. The main issue was how can we raise our self-esteem when we feel that we are not adequate to do the job that we are supposed to do.
A few weeks ago I wrote about a few steps to raise your self-esteem here are a few more steps that you can take to raise your self-esteem.
Get involved in the work and activities that inspire you.
It’s hard to feel good about yourself if your days are spent in work you detest.
Even if you cannot leave your present work situation immediately, you can still devote leisure time to hobbies and activities, which you find stimulating and enjoyable.
Be true to yourself.
Live your own life - not the life others have decided is best for you.
If you’re making decisions based on getting approval from friends and relatives, you aren’t being true to yourself and your self-esteem will suffer as a direct consequence.
Solve problems.
Don’t avoid problems, and don’t complain about them.
Treat them as challenges and opportunities for growth.
Respect your own needs.
Recognize and take care of your own needs and wants first.
Identify what really fulfills you - not just immediate gratifications.
Respecting your deeper needs will increase your sense of worth and well-being.
Free yourself from “shoulds”.
Live your life on the basis of what is possible for you and what feels right to you instead of what you or others think you “should” do. Discover what you want and what you are good at and take actions designed to fulfill your potential.
And the most important of them all,
Take action!
You won’t develop high self-esteem if you sit on the sidelines and avoid challenges.
When you take action - regardless of the result - you feel better about yourself.
When you fail to move forward because of fear and anxiety, you create frustration and dissatisfaction within yourself.
The ‘real you’ is a magnificent, unique being with enormous potential and capacity for experiencing self-love and extending that love to others. As your self-esteem grows, this ‘real you’ emerges.
You begin to take more risks without the fear of failure.
You are no longer preoccupied with obtaining the approval of others; your relationships are much more rewarding; you pursue activities that bring you both joy and satisfaction; and you will make a positive contribution to the world.
