10 Tips to Improve Your Self Esteem

Having a High Self-Esteem is a skill that anyone can learn.

Decide what you can and can't control. Change and act on the things that are in your control and release the things that are out of your control.

"Nobody can go back and start a new beginning ... but anyone can start today and make a new ending" Maria Robinson

1. Accept Responsibility
Your life is up to you. The sooner you accept responsibility for your feelings and your actions - the happier you will be. You may not be able to control a situation - but you can always control your response to it.

2. Be Yourself
You are a beautiful wondrous unique individual! Accept that. You don't need to try and be anyone else to be loved and accepted. Once you love and accept yourself others will too.

Make a list of your positive qualities. Are you honest? Caring? Loving? What are you good at? Focus on these things as these qualities are what makes you - YOU.

3. Take Care of Yourself
Take care of you just as good if not better than you would take care of people you love. Take time out. Get a massage, go to the movies, go for a walk, take a long bath etc.

Eat healthy, exercise, get plenty of rest. When you take care of yourself your physical and emotional health will improve. You'll be able to think more clearly and make better decisions. Be sure to get regular check ups with your physician.

4. Release Negative Emotions
Anger, fear, guilt, blame only hurts you. Let go of them. Forgive those that have hurt you. Forgive yourself as you forgive others. Write down your fears - what's the worst that could happen? Seeing it on paper usually makes your fears seem smaller. Holding onto negative emotions only hurts you.

5. Think and Speak Positively
Greet everyone with a smile. Accept compliments with a "Thank You". Don't put yourself down. Your telling yourself that you are not worthy of praise anytime you put yourself down.. Be courteous to everyone you meet.

Repeat positive affirmations to yourself & out loud as much as possible

6. Set Goals
Setting goals keep you moving in the direction you want to go. Begin with small goals. Each time you achieve a goal your self-esteem increases. You should have goals for all areas of your life, both personal and professional. As soon as you set a new goal Get To Work achieving them!

Don't be afraid to make a mistake. It's the way we learn and grow. Recognize mistakes for what they are - OPPORTUNITIES.

7. Reward Yourself
For every achievement - regardless of how small - give yourself a pat on the back. Relish in your accomplishments. Find things to reward yourself with. A massage, a date with your spouse or significant other, a new book, new clothes, anything that makes you feel good.

8. Keep Good Company
I always told my kids to hang out with people they admired and wanted to be like. It's a fact that we become like they people we associate with - thus the saying "Positive feeds positive and negative breeds negative." If you choose to be around happy positive goal oriented people - you'll become happier, more positive and goal oriented yourself. In addition positive people will lift you up and encourage you which in turn raises your self-esteem.

9. Continuous Growth
We never stay still. Therefore it's important to grow in a positive direction. Make it a habit to read positive uplifting books and/or listen to motivational CDs. Be conscientious of everything you are feeding into your subconscious - as your subconscious thoughts become your characteristics.

10.Be Giving
Give of yourself. Do things for others. Compliment others as often as possible. Give to charities and/or donate your time. Take your elderly neighbor to the doctors or offer to do their shopping for them. Each and Every time you make a positive contribution to others you feel more valuable which boost your self esteem. It's impossible to feel bad while you are helping your fellow mankind.