Self-esteem is how you value and perceive yourself. In other words, it is your subjective evaluation of your worth. Having healthy self-esteem can influence your motivation, your mental well-being, and your overall quality of life.
However, having low self-esteem can be problematic in one’s life, if not properly dealt with. People with low self-esteem tend to feel less sure of their abilities and may doubt their decision-making process.
Do you feel low on confidence and self-esteem sometimes or always? Below are some useful steps on how to build self-esteem.
1.) Change Negative Thoughts About Yourself
Often, some people tend to always give attention to the negative aspect of their lives. If not handled properly, it becomes a habit that becomes very hard to stop. The first thing you should know is that there is no perfect being anywhere, everyone has that negative aspect of their lives.
Every successful person at one point in life failed. You need to replace those negative thoughts with positive thoughts. It will be more effective if you write down a list of things you are good at. When you eventually start feeling low, remember to go through the list, and give yourself those affirmations.
2.) Surround Yourself With People Who Make You Feel Good
Not everyone will make you feel good about yourself. You need to be intentional about those you surround yourself with to ensure that those around you are those that care about you.
When you are appreciated and loved by those around you, your self-esteem will increase. You will begin to see yourself positively, and you are more likely to adopt empowering beliefs and see life happening for you instead of to you.
Studies have shown that when you surround yourself with people who make you feel good, they inspire and influence you positively and you begin to reframe and look at life differently.
3.) Accept Yourself
Everyone has flaws, learn to accept your flaws or imperfections and love them because they are what makes you unique. When you learn to accept your flaws, you learn how to fight your own battles and win. You also learn how to shield yourself from unnecessary distractions.
Accepting your flaws won’t ever live you questioning if you are good enough for others, as long as you feel good enough for yourself. There is nothing bad in trying to be your best. What hurts is when you are enslaved by a compulsion to meet some fake idea of what it is to be perfect in the negative sense.
4.) Identify Troubling Conditions Or Situations
There are certain situations that you can think about and it can therefore deflate your self-esteem. Maybe you have had experiences where you were embarrassed or failed at something etc.
One thing you should do is to identify these troubling situations, pay attention to your thoughts about them, or try as much as possible to erase them off your memory if the thoughts of them make your esteem deflated.
You have to realize that life is not a bed of roses. There are usually high and low moments in life, but don’t let the low moments define you, instead see it as a phase.
5.) Stop Worrying About What Others Think Of You
You have to realize that the opinions of others don’t define who you are. When you worry about what others think of you, you will never feel free to be completely yourself.
You need to make a strong decision to quit Worrying about what other people think and begin to make your choice based on what you want, and not what you think others want from you. Don’t make others people’s opinions pivotal to your success.
A life constantly tailored to fit the expectations of others, is not an ideal way of living. When you worry about what other people think of you, you give them the power over you. You can either choose to believe how others see you or you can decide for yourself who you are and what you will become. The choice is yours.
6.) Read Motivational Books
Reading motivational books can motivate you when you are down. Whenever you feel you are faced with low self-esteem, make it a habit to read motivational books, which often include stories from successful people.
Learn how they maneuvered through the tough times in their lives, you will feel inspired and motivated. All you need to do is to read the book with an open mind and be ready to implement whatever will be helpful to boost your self-esteem.
Reading motivational books helps to broaden your vision of life. You regain back confidence and motivation to do better.
7.) Heal From Your Past
Unresolved issues and drama from your past can keep you trapped in low self-esteem. Often, having a mantra that you tell yourself in times of emotional pain can help you reframe your thoughts.
Rather than always saying ” I can’t believe this happened to me, try and replace it with ” I am fortunate to be able to find a new path in life. This way you begin to have a different positive approach towards your past.
