Everyone agrees it is a good thing to have positive self-esteem. You take on new projects, have a renewed enthusiasm, have more inner stability, and create opportunities for all the good things life brings. You’ll be happier and more attractive to romantic interests.
But how do you get there?
There are some things you can do right now to improve your self-esteem. It’s not magic, but putting a little time into the work will have positive results in your life.
Here are 10 things you can do to improve your self-esteem:
- Put your inner critic in time out.
All of us have that inner voice that will tell us everything we’re doing is wrong. While sometimes that voice can stop you from making a big mistake, there are other times it is just flat-out destructive. Stop it before it gets too far into your mind. Remind yourself you will not listen to this voice and follow up that thought with a positive one.
For instance, if your inner view tells you are ugly, repeat out loud that you are a beautiful person inside and out. Keep saying it until you believe it.
- Set goals.
These aren’t necessary career or relationship goals but life goals. List out things you would like to do and set out to do them. Whether it’s learning pottery or taking a trip, you can find ways to work what you love into your life. Your confidence will grow as you achieve each goal.
- Take time to appreciate yourself.
Take a couple of minutes every day to reflect on your positive qualities. You should name three things that you like about yourself. They can be how you did something that day or some character qualities you possess. It’s okay to talk about your good qualities. Many people think that is not being humble, but recognizing your positive attributes is being real in an honest way.
- Do the right thing.
Doing the right thing, even when others aren’t looking, will build your self-esteem because you will appreciate the character you’ve shown. This way, even if others come against you, you can stand tall knowing that you have good character traits even if they don’t see them.
- End perfectionism.
Many people feel they have to be perfect to be worthy. You don’t! You were created worthy! Listening to your own perfectionist opinions will paralyze you and make you feel like you will never measure up. Sometimes good is good enough.
- Handle failures with grace.
Everyone makes mistakes but those who deny them and will not make the right aren’t people most want to be around. Those who own up to their failures, learn from them, and move on will do well in life.
There is no disgrace in failure. The only disgrace is in not getting back up after a failure. You can take pride in yourself that you overcame whatever mistakes or failings you’ve had.
- Accept others with kindness and grace.
Just as you are learning to accept yourself and all your flaws, all for that acceptance in other people too. As you learn that everyone is human, you will also learn that when you offer grace to others, you will find more for yourself.
- Take on something challenging.
It is always good to stretch our limitations and get out of our comfort zones. It makes us feel great when we accomplish something we didn’t know we could do. That could be running a marathon, rock climbing a wall, or learning a new language. Make it something you always want to do but are always afraid to try. You’ll love yourself for it!
- Quit comparing yourself to others.
This is one of the worst traps you can get into. First, no one is perfect. Second, many times the image others project isn’t realistic. Whether it is a picture of a magazine, that is likely photoshopped, or what they post on social media, an image can be different from reality. Remember, you have no idea what they are like at home or what they are going through.
If you remember these 10 tips and apply them, you will find that you are a pretty nice person to be with! Learning about yourself and learning to appreciate yourself will make you happier as well as gain you friends and opportunities.