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Life is so much sweeter with Self-Esteem!
By Helena Nyman

How high would you rate your self

esteem on a scale from 1-10?  If it requires some improvement, then you are

not alone! Most of us can acknowledge that our self esteem could do with a

boost, but much of the time, we are not sure how to go about improving it.

I have been in this place before,

(everybody who meets me, thinks I'm joking. Seriously, there was a time where I

was painfully shy - and I turned it around!)

If I can do it - so can YOU!
I

am going to share with you some of my top simple tips for raising your self

esteem.  If you think you haven't got the time or maybe you believe you are

too busy, then think again! 

Walking around with a healthy

self-esteem, is one of your biggest assets!

Are you willing to invest a few

minutes of your own time in yourself?

1)    Smile at

yourself each morning in the mirror. Make sure it's a big cheesy grin! Ask

yourself how a very successful person would look at his/her image in the mirror,

and do the same thing.

2)    Write a list

of things that you like about yourself. What are your strengs and qualities? EX.

I'm helpful, creative, or I'm getting things done on time. Make sure you write

down at least twenty! Use a Success (bragging) Journal

3)    Use daily

affirmations! EX. ' My self esteem is growing every day' and ' I am a valuable,

loveable person and I deserve the very best' I usually pin it close to the light

switch in the bathroom, so I can see it first thing in the morning and last

thing in the evening.

4)    Quit comparing

yourself to others. There will always be some people who have more than you, and

some people who have less.   Have aspirations to be like one of your

role models - but put your own flavor and uniquness to it!

5)    Accept

compliments gratefully.   The next time somebody says something nice

about you, simply say: "Thank you!".  Take time to write it down or spend a

few moments thinking about how nice it felt.

Stop doing the old number: "Well it

is a very cheap and old dress..."
6)    Remind yourself that

you are HUMAN. (What, I'm not Super-Woman?)  Quit beating yourself up for

not being perfect, NOBODY is perfect anyways...Vow each day to praise yourself

instead of criticizing yourself.  

7)      If

you are surrounded by negative people or energy vampires -  get rid of

them!  They only make you feel bad about yourself and will lower your self

esteem.  However, if you surround yourself with positive and supportive

people you will feel better about yourself, and this will raise your self

esteem.

8)    Each night

before you go to bed,  think about ( or write down if you wish) five

successful things you have done that day.  This could be as simple as

getting to work on time, helping a senior cross the road, thanking a stranger

for his/her nice gesture, etc.

9)    Set yourself a

mini goal to complete each week.   This could be anything from trying

a new recipe, cleaning out your wardrobe or  completing an overdue task at

work.   One of the best ways to increase yourself self esteem is to

take action - you will feel great about yourself when you do!

10) Be true to

yourself.   Make sure you are living your own life! Don't live up to

other people's expectations.. If you feel nervous about standing up for yourself

etc, make this one of your mini goals.  

You can NOT develop self esteem by

sitting on the sidelines. You have to push yourself to take risks and new

challenges.
 
We are all capable of increasing our self esteem with

just a little bit of effort. Start to take more risks, and be less concerned

with making a fool of yourself or failing. 
 
Be less concerned

about what others think of you, and stop seeking approval from others. You will

feel far more comfortable in your own skin, and you will feel at peace with the

wonderful person you really are. 

To sign up for Helena's

weekly  Motivational Newsletter,

or for her bi-weekly Executive

News.



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