Everyone suffers from a dip in their self esteem once in a while. Whether it’s because of relationships, work, family or even finances, Self Esteem is an ever shifting curve with it’s highs and lows. Sometimes you just look in the mirror and don’t exactly love what you see. The good news is that you have a fair amount of control when it comes to increasing your level of self-worth, and these 5 tactics will help in doing just that:
- Replace Negative With Positive Thinking
We know, we know, it sounds a lot easier than it actually is. But we’ve found breaking the process down into 3 steps helps in major ways.
The first step is to identify triggers, which can be a co-worker whose constantly complaining, or maybe something as simple as the balance in your bank account. You can’t control everything around you but you CAN control how you react to these triggers, once you recognise them and identify them as the reasons you’re feeling anxious or sad.
The second step is to take notes. Notice the direction your inner dialogue takes when describing yourself or the situations you are in. Is this thinking based on facts? Or is it usually leaning towards the irrational, always assuming the worst in a situation?
The final step is to challenge your thinking. Think of building your self worth as building any other muscle group in your body. You increase the weights over time to achieve better results right? You have to exercise your brain a little every day to develop a capacity for positive thinking, to forgive yourself when you make mistakes, and to learn to give yourself credit when you accomplish a goal and to eliminate the negative thoughts you have about yourself.
2. Take an Inventory
Make a list of your strength and weaknesses. If the list of weaknesses runs longer than the strengths, you have the tendency to be way too hard on yourself. Did you list how you make your sure your mom takes her meds on time every single day? Or how you make your friends feel better when they’re in the dumps? NEVER assume you know everything about yourself and what you’re capable of. People with high self – esteem always leave room for self-discovery, and that’s what everyone needs to start doing.
3. Acknowledge Successes
Stop being so hard on yourself and give yourself some well deserved credit! You didn’t get that A just because you got lucky or win that competition just because it was predestined no matter what, it was all YOU! You put in the work and you HAVE to start reaping the rewards. CELEBRATE YOUR ACCOMPLISHMENTS! Have faith in your abilities and acknowledge successes, no matter how big or small.
P.S this includes saying THANK YOU when someone compliments you, rather than dismissing the praise. It won’t make you narcissistic or self absorbed, it just means you believe in yourself and have faith in your abilities.
4. Stop Comparing Yourself
This is important. PEOPLE ONLY SHARE THE BEST PART OF THEIR LIVES ONLINE. Make this a mantra if you must. This is why other people can’t be the standard when it comes to judging yourself or your self esteem. The grass always seems greener on the other side, but hey, what if the grass is artificial? What is your best may not be someone else’s and vice versa. Remind yourself that any time you make an improvement or prevent yourself from repeating a mistake, you are making progress.
5. Practice Self-Care
Spend time with people who care about you, your health and your well being. In doing so, overtime you may find that it’s suddenly easier for you to care for yourself. Avoid foods that make you irritable or tired, or enjoy foods that give you joy more often! The experts say exercise releases endorphins, but they say chocolate does too so maybe try a bit of both. The more you demonstrate that you value your health, the more you develop a capacity for loving other parts of yourself. It all starts from the inside, out.
None of these tactics translate to overnight miracles. Being kind to yourself and increasing your self worth takes patience and practice, but the more you challenge your thoughts and perspectives, the greater joy you can find in yourself and your abilities. You’ll feel PROUD of how far you’ve comem and you’ll look forward to the future and everything it promises.
Remember that learning positive thinking and developing healthy lifestyle strategies aren’t going to be overnight miracles. Being kind to yourself and increasing your sense of self-worth takes time, practice, and patience. But the more you challenge your thoughts and perspectives, the greater joy you can find in yourself and your abilities. You’ll feel proud of how far you’ve come, and you’ll look forward to the future.