How to Build Your Self-Esteem
Overcome Insecurity and Increase Your Self-Image
Learn how to build confidence and increase your self-image. Vanquish your fears and overcome insecurity with these simple steps.
Anxiety, stress, depression, insecurity, and fear defeat far too many people in our society today. If you have a low self-image, you are particularly vulnerable to letting these negative emotions and feelings overwhelm you. By taking specific action to enhance your self-image and power your personal growth, you can become a winner in life -- and not a victim.
These simple action steps can help turn your life around. They are:
1) Fuel Your Faith
You have a choice. You can see yourself as a deliberate, special creature of God or a random accident of nature. It should be obvious that the question of divine reality has ramifications on not only your world view, but how you see yourself.
Joel Osteen puts it this way: "Individuals who view themselves as God sees them are usually happy about who they are. They know that they have been created in God's image and He has crowned them with tremendous honor."
There is tremendous evidence for the existence of God, and how you respond to that evidence and see God will determine a lot about how you visualize yourself and your relation to the world around you. Make a decision to fuel your faith and not your doubts. And watch your self-esteem grow.
2) Decide to Serve Others
The greatest figures in world history didn't waste time wallowing in self-pity. Instead, they decided to contribute to causes greater than themselves and invest their lives in the service of other people.
One of the most melancholy people in American history was Abraham Lincoln. If you've studied Lincoln's life, you know that it was replete with setbacks, disappointments, and terrible tragedy. Yet Lincoln didn't let those feelings and circumstances defeat him. He rose above them and reached out to serve others.
The best way to increase your self-image and defeat depression is to refuse to wallow in negative feelings and emotions. Instead, rise above your depression and circumstances -- and reach out to others with hands of compassion and service.
3) Change Your Habits
If there are specific issues in your life that are causing you to have a low self-image, consider making a change to some of your habits. These changes may help those areas.
For example, if you're having issues with your skin, drink more water, eat a more healthy diet, and take vitamins. You should of course also talk with your physician or dermatologist about any other steps you can take.
If weight is a source of insecurity, then consider what you can do about it. Are there some lifestyle changs you can make to lose weight? Even a drop of 10 pounds might help.
Take a look at your lifestyle. Are there changes you could make that would help build your confidence and get you closer to your personal goals in life?
4) Act Confident
You've heard the saying: "Fake it until you make it." There's some truth to that saying. If you don't feel confident, the best thing to do sometimes is act confident.
Competitive debaters understand this, especially in the intense pressure of being cross-examined. Have you ever seen a college or high school debate? Have you participated in one? If so, you understand how intimidating it can be to be thoroughly grilled in cross-examination. And yet, the best debaters never let their opponents see their nervousness or fear. Instead, they project confidence and determination - and face down their opponents.
One of the best historical examples of this was in the lead-up to the Revolutionary War, when Benjamin Franklin was called before the Privy Council in London. Subjected to a blistering and nasty grilling by a British politician, Franklin stood like a statue. He showed no emotion throughout the harangue, until his opponent had exhausted himself. Franklin then left the room - his dignity intact. Franklin went on to become one of the most influential architects in the founding of the United States.
These simple steps can have you on your way to conquering fear and insecurity - and building your confidence and self-esteem. As Joel Osteen writes: "You will never rise above the image you have of yourself in your mind." So, don't neglect this journey. Take it - and watch your life change.
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For more on this subject, check out...
Your Best Life Now: 7 Steps to Living at Your Full Potential by Joel Osteen
Blog: "How to Vanquish Fear and Insecurity"
