Building Self-Esteem

Building Self-esteem #1 : Negative Work Environment
Beware of “dog eat dog” theory where everyone else is fighting just to get ahead. This is where non-appreciative people usually thrive. No one will appreciate your contributions even if you miss lunch and dinner, and stay up late. Stay out of this, it will ruin your self esteem. 

With God, you don't have to worry about competition, he will promote you in due time as you center on doing your work for Him and not others.  He appreciates you and will always find a way to lift you above those who are fighting for the top.  Be healthy enough to compete, but in a healthy competition that keeps God at the center.  Always enjoy your life.

Building Self-esteem #2: Other People’s Behavior
Bulldozers, brown nosers, gossipmongers, whiners, backstabbers, snipers, people filled with self-pity, controllers, naggers, complainers, exploders, patronizers, sluffers… all these kinds of people will pose bad vibes for your self esteem, as well as to your self improvement scheme.

God mentions all of the above behaviors as abominable.  He does not and cannot favor such people because they go against His nature.  Follow God's nature and speak well of others rather than bad things (unless they are harming someone or stealing).  Never pity yourself, try to back stab for any position, or take your negative past or problems out on others. Such an attitude says that you have little or no faith in God.  Stop whining and trust Him.  Philippians 4:6-8 says it all for how you should think and act for success. 

Building Self-esteem #3: Changing Environment
You can’t be a green bug on a brown field. Changes challenge our paradigms. It tests our flexibility, adaptability and alters the way we think. Changes will make life difficult for awhile, it may cause stress but it will help us find ways to improve our selves. Change will be there forever, we must be susceptible to it.

If you want to avoid the mediocre, then move up to God's ways and let Him test, challenge and refine you into the great creation you are.

Building Self-esteem #4: Past Experience
It’s okay to cry and say “ouch!” when we experience pain. But don’t let pain transform itself into fear. It might grab you by the tail and swing you around. Treat each failure and mistake as a lesson.

Every mistake you make can be turned around by God into a success.  See mistakes not a failures, but stepping stones to greater things that unknown to you in the present.  Your past is dead, so don't let it haunt you.

Building Self-esteem #5: Negative World View
Look at what you’re looking at. Don’t wrap yourself up with all the negativity in the world. In building self esteem, we must learn how to make the best out of the worst situations.

Building Self-esteem #6: Determination Theory
The way you are and your behavioral traits is said to be a mixed end product of your inherited traits (genetics), your upbringing (psychic), and your environmental surroundings such as your spouse, the company, the economy or your circle of friends. You have your own identity. If your father is a failure, it doesn’t mean you have to be a failure too. Learn from other people’s experience, so you’ll never have to encounter the same mistakes.

God's wisdom is at play through the mistakes of others.  Never be too stubborn to learn from others.  

Conclusion

Sometimes, you may wonder if some people are born leaders or positive thinkers. NO. Being positive, and staying positive is a choice. Building self esteem and drawing lines for self improvement is a choice, not a rule or a talent. God wouldn’t come down from heaven and tell you – “George, you may now have the permission to build self esteem and improve your self.”  

In life, it can be difficult to stay firm in who you are, especially when things and people around you keep trying to pull you down. But as long as you are fixed in knowing who you are (in Christ), you only need the armor of faith and the sword of truth (the Word of God) to remain strong and win your battles. This approach will heighten your self-esteem and give you greater wisdom through "self-change" from within, resulting in a better attitude, productive behavior and a positive way of thinking.

Building self esteem will eventually lead to self improvement if we start to become responsible for who we are, what we have and what we do. Its like a flame that should gradually spread like a brush fire from inside and out. When we develop self esteem, we take control of our mission, values and discipline. 

Self esteem brings about self improvement, true assessment, and determination. So how do you start putting up the building blocks of self esteem? Be positive. Be contented and happy. Be appreciative. Never miss an opportunity to compliment. A positive way of living will help you build self esteem, your starter guide to self improvement.

If you enjoyed this article for building self-esteem, then you may enjoy:  Be Innovative.  

There is more to come in this series.