Advice from Self-Help and Personal Development Experts on How to Be Popular

How can a person become popular? How can a person overcome rejection, social awkwardness, and/or shyness to become a likeable, respectable individual? These are questions asked by people throughout history - and by people in every generation or age group. Here are some tips from people considered among the greatest authorities on the subjects of self-esteem and personal development.

1. Develop a Healthy Self-Image

"If you see yourself as unqualified, insignificant, unattractive, inferior, or inadequate, you will probably act in accordance with your thoughts," writes Joel Osteen, the popular pastor and bestselling author. "If your self-worth is low, you will imagine yourself as a born loser, a washout, unworthy of being loved and accepted."

To become popular and accepted socially, you must then first accept yourself. Ironically, this is where many people fall short. Yet, it's critical that you not neglect this. As Osteen warns, "You will never rise above the image you have of yourself in your own mind." If you expect others to view you positively, you must see yourself that way.

Joel Osteen, of course, recommends that you ground your healthy self-image in something tangible and concrete. For him, that means God. "You can change the image you have of yourself," explains Osteen. "How? Start by agreeing with God. Remember, God sees you as strong and courageous, as a man or woman of great honor and valor. He sees you as being more than a conqueror. Start seeing yourself as God sees you."

2. Cultivate Positive Thoughts

People don't like to hang around depressed people. They want to hang around people whose very company encourages them and interests them. If you're like the character Eeyore in the Winnie the Pooh cartoon, then you might not have that many people wanting to hang out with you.

David J. Schwartz, author of the classic bestseller The Magic of Thinking Big, tells of two "foremen" in your mind, which is a "thought factory." He writes: