10 Easy Steps to Improve Your Self-Esteem
Your self-esteem affects your life in all sorts of ways, in both your business and personal life. Improving your self-esteem can have great effects on all aspects of your life and make you a happier, more fulfilled person. Here are 10 practical tips of things you can do to improve your self-esteem and feel happier with yourself.
By Helen Miller
These tips are based on the self-esteem building courses I teach. I'm sure they can help you too:
1. Learn how to do something well
Being good at something boosts your confidence and is fun.
2. Realise being shy is OK
Half of us are extroverts and half introverts. There are advantages to both so be proud to be as you are.
3. Beauty does not bring happiness
But, happiness and confidence do bring attractiveness. Learn how to make the most of your good points and enjoy them.
4. Set realistic standards for yourself
Perfectionism undermines your pleasure in your achievements. Too low standards give little sense of achievement.
5. Deal with your problems
Unresolved issues undermine your confidence. Decide what needs to be done, do it and move on.
6. Do not criticise yourself
Over time, the bad things you say about yourself make you feel bad. Replace negative sayings with positive or neutral ones.
7. Recognise your wants
Recognise that what you want is as important as what others want. Ask for what you want and compromise gracefully if necessary.
8. Accept help
Asking for, and accepting, help is a normal adult behaviour. It shows strength, not weakness.
9. Embrace relationships of quality
The quality of your relationships has a profound affect on your self-esteem. Avoid people who put your down or complain a lot. Find new upbeat companions who are enjoying their lives, as their attitude will rub off on you.
10. Smile and stand tall
Behave the way you want to feel. Your facial expression and body posture do affect your emotions.
Finally, let me finish with my favourite quote: "If you do what you've always done, you'll get what you've always got."
Helen Miller, of Crossroads Life Coaching, is a qualified life coach who helps people increase their self-esteem and remove their self-doubt. She coaches people by phone and also teaches self-esteem and confidence building courses in Kent. You can find out more about her at www.crossroadslifecoaching.co.uk.
