5 Proven Ways to Build Self Esteem in Life and at Work

5 ways to build self esteem at work

Having high self esteem is something we all want to achieve in our personal and work life. In many ways, recognizing the importance of improving the way we see ourselves is something we have all acknowledged at least once. However, a lot of times, the concept of being confident in ourselves is easier said than done. This is because we are undoubtedly our harshest critics. And when we dig ourselves into a hole of self-loathing, it can become extremely difficult to change our perceptions. With that being said, if you’re tired of having low self esteem and are committed to becoming the best version of yourself, keep reading to learn how you can boost your confidence and succeed in all areas of your life.

Key Takeaways

  • Our self esteem is directly associated with how we view ourselves
  • When we are confident in ourselves, we can achieve success in our work and personal lives
  • There are four components to self-worth. They are our feelings of security, our identity, feelings of belonging, and feelings of being competent.

What are 4 types of self esteem?

Although self esteem appears to be a simple concept, there are actually four types of self-regard that can influence your confidence throughout your lifetime. Let’s take a closer at these components in more detail below.

1. Feelings of Security

The first component that contributes to your self-esteem is your feelings of security. This type of security has to do with the relationships with have with the people we love in our personal life, including our family and friends, along with the people in our work life. When we experience feelings of fulfillment from the people who matter in our life, then we begin to feel secure in who we are as a person.

2. Our Identity

 The next component that makes up our self-worth is our identity or the information we acknowledge about ourselves. Our identity comprises of many parts. It includes how we view ourselves and our bodies and interact with people in social settings. In addition, our identity can also be linked to our finances, who our friends are, who you are as an employee, and so much more. As a result, all these different aspects of our identity allow us to be aware of our characteristics as an individual, the skills and abilities we have, and the thoughts and feelings we experience.

3. Feelings of Belonging

Furthermore, the third element of our self esteem is our feelings of belonging. In life, there are several groups of people we belong to. Whether it be school, friends, family, work, sports teams, or elsewhere the people and settings we choose to place ourselves in helps define who we are. Additionally, these groups and settings are where we experience acceptance.

4. Feelings of Being Competent

Moreover, the last component of our self esteem is our feelings of being competent in life. This often stems from our ability to achieve success and stay motivated. However, it also has to do with finding our passions and working towards our goals to feel a sense of pride in ourselves.

self esteem note to self

How do you build self esteem?

Furthermore, now that we understand the four elements that our self-worth are, let’s take a closer look at some of the ways you can successfully boost your confidence so you can live a positive and healthy lifestyle.

1. Stop With the Negative Self Talk

One of the most common unhealthy habits we can get into is talking to ourselves negatively. We often tell ourselves we aren’t good enough or worthy enough when we experience hardships and failures. However, by speaking positive affirmations to yourself daily rather than tearing yourself down, you’ll start to realize just how incredible you actually are.

2. Identify Your Skills and Abilities

 Another method to boost your self esteem is to identify your skills and abilities and then actively work to improve and develop them further. For example, if you are a talented artist, start creating and selling your art. Alternatively, if you believe you’re a good cook, throw dinner parties for your friends, family, and coworkers. The goal with this is to find what you are good at and look for opportunities to excel using the skills and abilities you have.

3. Accept Compliments from Others

Furthermore, the next way to effectively improve your self esteem is to allow others to compliment you. Being humble is a valuable virtue to have. However, when you actively feel uncomfortable when others give you compliments, you’ll start to believe that the positive feedback you are receiving is not true. Therefore, set yourself up with one or two responses, such as a simple thank you, and practice using them rather than avoiding positivity.

4. Fake it Until You Make It

Next on our list of ways to improve your self worth is to simply fake it until you make it. If you want to become a better version of yourself who has high self esteem, then you first have to begin acting like that confident version of yourself. For example, when starting a new job, there’s a possibility that you’ll hit a few bumps when learning how a business operates. However, rather than be hard on yourself, hold a positive mindset and act confidently. You’ll soon realize that it will be easier to improve this way.

5. Practice Self-Care

Last on our list of ways you can improve your confidence is to practice self-care. Remember, our self esteem is how we view and feel about ourselves. Therefore, we need to actively do things in our life that make us feel good about ourselves. Whether it’s going for a run, spending the day at the spa, or diving into a passion project you’ve been putting off, these activities are meant to give you the opportunity to relax and work on yourself while maintaining your wellbeing.

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