You are what you think. How many times have we heard this over the course of our lifetime? Philosophers with their sage wisdom had written that we become what we continually think of ourselves. Our thoughts basically become our action guide. So, if you think so low of yourself, do you honestly believe that success awaits you? Self-esteem is a game-changer in business and in life in general. But what really is self-esteem?
Self-Esteem
There are so many definitions about self-esteem. Sense of worth, confidence, and self-respect are just some of those listed in online dictionaries. It is basically that inner monologue telling you if you are good enough to achieve something or if you can actually do it. It is how one values himself. It is your own assessment on who you are and what you’re capable of. In most cases, however, your thoughts get askew with other people’s perception and treatment.
It is important to note that self-esteem runs parallel with talent or genius or expertise. You can be good in so many things but still have low regard for yourself. On the other spectrum, there are also people who, amid their lack of ability or talent, can project strong self-esteem. With this, it is logical to see that having low regards of oneself will impact directly one’s decision-making capabilities and behavior in general.
Room for Improvement
There are many ways to boost one’s dwindling self-esteem. But before that, it is essential to recognize some of its likely causes. Do you have issues with your talent and capacity? Have you encountered a life-changing failure or a series of poorly made decision that made you question your capabilities? Do you have acquired habits that continually erode your sense of self-respect? Are there people around you who made you feel inadequate?
Recognizing that you have a self-esteem problem and identifying some of its likely causes will make it easier for you to address them. While everybody is different, there are certain ground rules which anyone can apply:
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Be prepared all the time. In everything we do, preparation is a vital tool that will shield you from any anxiety or roadblocks turn your way. When you know precisely what you are talking about, you can gain full control of your emotions and create decisions with more clarity and precision.
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Be kinder to yourself. It may sound humble to criticize your shortcomings to others but doing so will negatively ricochet unto yourself. People’s perception will be torn both ways and this could impact your own perception about yourself. So, at the very least, be kind to yourself.
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Stop complaining, procrastinating, and overthinking! Everyone have issues of their own. What could be simple to you can be devastating to another person. Wallowing in negativity will only isolate you from the rest and prevent solutions from shaping up.
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Try to uplift yourself every now and then by celebrating your victories no matter how simple or small. Boosting your own morale does not have to be a gargantuan effort. Treat yourself to a full body massage in your favorite spa. Buy something to make you feel special. For every victory won, you are actually raising your confidence level.
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Learn the beauty of mindfulness through yoga or meditation. This helps to relax the overthinking mind, bring more focus to your commitments and stimulates sources of pure joy. It also helps channel nerves and tension to lucrative means.
But while self-help may be effective to others, developing a robust self-esteem can vary from situation to situation and from person to person. Some people can take themselves from a rut and improve their confidence level without seeking out outside help. Others, however, take refuge from the assistance of friends, colleagues, a mentor or a coach. Whichever way it maybe, it is imperative to address low self-esteem to prevent dilemmas from cropping up in business and in life in general.