How to Increase and Maintain Your Self-Esteem

Self-esteem and your one's thoughts on their own level of it may not be a daily issue. The aspects of self-esteem in our lives is not something we think about often, but rather, just seems to be how it is without much influence from our activities or thoughts. Actually, however, the only thing which can really help us increase our self esteem is by thinking about it on a regular basis.

It is important to understand that self-esteem is a highly intimate state. It is something which is only important to and established by the individual. It doesn't matter what others, even close friends and family, think of us in what established the level of self-esteem present within a particular person.

The way to high self-esteem is through seven basic steps established and discovered by Nathaniel Branden.

Live Consciously

"To live consciously is to respect the facts of reality without evasion or denial; to be present in what we are doing while we are doing it; to seek to understand whatever bears on our interests, values, and goals; to be aware both of the world external to self and also the world within."

What this means is that we must not lie to ourselves. Respecting the facts of reality means being real with oneself and accepting the reality of whatever circumstances one finds oneself in. It is important to not live in a dreamworld and to respect yourself by knowing you can handle the truth. Self-esteem will be greatly helped by facing reality with strength and confidence. This is the only way that we can change what needs to be changed.

Be Self-Accepting

Being self-accepting means that we own our thoughts and feelings. Feelings may not always be facts, but the fact that we felt them means that they have purpose and are worth a voice. Self-esteem comes from knowing that our feelings and thoughts are meaningful and deserve to be honored and not discarded. Those with low self-esteem describe their thoughts as stupid or overly-emotional. Feel what you feel and think what you think.

Be Self-Responsible