Self-esteem is very important. It is the way we view and feel about ourselves that has a profound effect on how we live our lives. These opinions are shaped by experiences within the family, at school, from friendships and in wider society. Self-esteem involves our ability to think, to deal with life and to be happy. Self-esteem is not so much how people view you, but how you view yourself.
From infancy we look for encouragement and approval. Yet our culture does not readily give this. Parents can be tough taskmasters in seeking the best for their children. Young people have a tendency to be intolerant or indifferent and often mock their peers who are clever or hard working. There is a constant bombardment of messages telling us we should be young, slim, beautiful, fashionably dressed, have a lover and money to spend. Even when we have pride in our ability and pride in ourselves, this can be regarded as being arrogant, boastful or conceited.
Rejection or loss at any age is likely to undermine self-esteem. Events like parents separating, an unsuccessful business deal, having an accident, a burglary or coping with a death are likely to provoke feelings of loss and threat. For some this is temporary, whilst for others the effects are longer-lasting.
On the other hand success is a great ego booster, and academic achievement can be an obvious signal of success. However a competitive environment can easily lead to self-doubt and insecurity. You may even feel that other people over-estimate your ability and this burden of expectation can lead to a sense of failure and impossibility.
However, what we feel about ourselves is not based solely on what we do. It usually involves our relationships with others and whether we feel worthwhile as people. We have a basic human need to be wanted, noticed, and included. We want to contribute, to be of value, and make a difference - in other words, to matter.
Our self-esteem will continually fluctuate and is affected by events and encounters with other people. We are also constantly judging and evaluating ourselves, often in comparison with others. Observing ourselves in relation to other people can be a helpful source of learning and feedback. Yet all too often comparison slips into competition and others become a yardstick by which we evaluate ourselves as good or bad, competent or inadequate.
The reality is we are all different. Each of us has strengths and limitations which we need to learn about and learn to live with. There are aspects of our behaviour and appearance we may seek to change or develop, but a sense of self is also based on self-awareness and self-acceptance.
Change is not easy. It means stepping into the unknown and taking a risk. Inevitably this means that some initiatives you take will work well, whilst others don't work out as you hoped. You can help yourself by being realistic in your choices and seeing each success as a step in the right direction. This is why realistic goal setting is important.
Mark Claridge specializes in teaching motivational and self-development skills. In his new FREE e-book "Mindset and Match" he covers amongst other subjects how having the correct mindset can bring you all you want out of life and is available at http://www.inthe6th.com.
Flossmoor limo rentals .. Lockport Chicago limo O’HareReggie Yates, a pop song presenter, was singing on 7th... Read More
Periodically re-check and refine (or redefine) your goals It's no... Read More
Man is the most advanced being on this earth. We... Read More
Do you feel like your stuck?No matter what you do,... Read More
The 2004 final of the World's Strongest Man METRx Championship... Read More
Step 1: List all the business activities that you complete... Read More
How's the weather there?We use small talk to connect with... Read More
Are you successful? What does that word mean to you?... Read More
Reading lots these days? Having trouble remembering and recalling? For... Read More
Your Head, think about what you want and move towards... Read More
I received an advanced copy of a book called How... Read More
"Enthusiasm is worth any pot of cream ever offered."Can you... Read More
What's holding you back?One of my clients came to me... Read More
We live in the information age, dominated by the development... Read More
"Well, you're just a busy beaver, aren't you?" You've either... Read More
Smile brings beauty to your face, charm to your personality... Read More
Knowing when to disconnect, shut it off, unplug, or walk... Read More
The Outlaw Josey Wales is an interesting Western that I... Read More
If it comes to the question what we really want... Read More
If you called my office you will hear my voice... Read More
In individualistic success models, success is not due to the... Read More
McDonald's does it, why shouldn't you? Life is filled with... Read More
The most under rated method to achieve success is: The... Read More
Give yourself a gold star Remember how rewarding it was... Read More
It has been truly said, and history confirms, that the... Read More
Medinah cheap limo ..Success is creating what you want the way you want... Read More
When you analyze the traits of successful people, you will... Read More
One of the greatest compliments I ever received in my... Read More
"Well, you're just a busy beaver, aren't you?" You've either... Read More
To realize that you determine the outcome of your own... Read More
Knowing when to disconnect, shut it off, unplug, or walk... Read More
Have you ever thought about how you want to live,... Read More
This past Memorial Day weekend I decided to revisit my... Read More
Jobs are heating up. We're all feeling the pinch of... Read More
When you look into the eyes of a winner, what... Read More
Get your act together Make sure that you have all... Read More
This morning, on TV, I was amazed to see how... Read More
"I am the greatest warrior. I have fought with gods... Read More
There's always a first time to meeting people. We want... Read More
* Perfectionism is a time waster.Strive for excellence on important... Read More
A company entitled "Made for Success" begs the question: Just... Read More
How many people do you hear complaining about their job,... Read More
There are twelve necessary elements involved in achieving success:1. Spend... Read More
Sometimes success is found through the things that you don't... Read More
When you hear the words "abundance" and "prosperity", what immediately... Read More
"If you think you can or you think you can't... Read More
When I was in college, I heard someone say something... Read More
To achieve success it can be important to keep going... Read More
He was pencil thin and walked with a limp. A... Read More
Man is the most advanced being on this earth. We... Read More
Success |