HOW TO BUILD YOUR SELF-ESTEEM

Having a positive self-esteem doesn’t mean you are impervious to criticisms from people. It doesn’t mean you don’t feel hurt when people do bad things to you. It also doesn’t guarantee that you will become successful, but you know what; it will make it easier for you. There’s a fine line between a positive self-esteem and pride. Self-esteem builds your self-confidence. It helps you lead a happier life. It makes you enjoy what you do better, whether you are a student, a worker or even a parent. Having a positive self-esteem adds to you it doesn’t harm you. Positive self-esteem gives you more push and drive in fulfilling your dreams and aspirations. You want to learn how to have a positive self-esteem? Then follow these simple steps:

1. The first step to building your self-esteem is to realize and understand how special and unique you are. God didn’t make ‘two of you’. He made you specially. Whatever material he used to make you was for you alone. Whatever talent and purpose He put in you is unique to you alone. It’s found in no other person. So make your own destiny. Live your own life not that of another. 
2. Next, embrace positivity. Optimistic people always make the best out of life. By the way, positivity isn’t something you are born with; it is an attribute you cultivate overtime. The people you surround yourself with and your environment are major factors that contribute to it. Pessimistic folks never see the good in anything and that’s why good things hardly ever to them. If you want to build your self-esteem, make sure you remain positive at all times. This may be difficult but overtime you will get used to it. 
3. Do things that will make you happy. Remember it is your life. It doesn’t belong to your parents or children and neither does it belong to your friends or your boss. This is not to say you should be selfish but rather, live for yourself. Make sure you don’t trounce your own happiness to please other. Watch comedy or do something that will make you laugh. By all means make sure you are happy. Even if it means relocating or abandoning some people, do it! Make yourself happy even when no one will. 
4. From time to time, admire yourself. It will help if you can sit down and just write out the things you like about yourself. If you don’t feel there’s anything good about who you are, ask one of your honest and good friends to help out. Ask the person to help you make a list of positive things about you. 
5. Accept criticisms. Whenever someone criticizes you, consider it. Don’t accept every criticism because some of them are flimsy but when someone actually has a good point while criticizing you, consider it. By addressing that flaw or weakness, you will become better at being who you are and what you do. This is not saying that you should overthink it, don’t! Don’t even consider insults or abuses; that will only make you feel bad. Only constructive criticism is good. 
6. Read books. Read self-help books. Read books on self-development. These are books that will help your knowledge. If you do not read or don’t believe in reading then you need to read my article on reading books. It is a very good way of becoming better at something without having to work for it. It gives you access to a wealth of knowledge but it requires discipline and passion for a better you and a better life. Do you want to live a better life? Do you want to be a better version of yourself? Then start reading books. 
7. Be yourself all the time. You don’t have to pretend to be who you are not. If you have to pretend, let it be because you are a CIA agent or because you are in the Secret Service. If not, then you have no reason to pretend to be someone you are not. Be proud of who you are and where you are from. Remember, most of the people who we see to be successful today started from the bottom and worked their way to the top. They all had to come to peace with who they were to get to where they are now.