What Is Self Esteem
By Barbara White
P class=MsoNormal style="tab-stops: 297.0pt" align="center">
What is Self Esteem?
Self esteem is a
familiar term that is used, but what exactly does it mean?
Self Esteem is actually a system of measurement. It is a
way of measuring and describing how a person thinks and feels about
themselves. It is a method that attempts to measure a person's value or self
worth.
Self Esteem measures how people think about themselves in
two different aspects . By using a combination of these two criteria enables
a person to make a judgment about their unique value, or worth as a person.
From this judgment a feeling of self esteem is usually formed.
Here are the two criteria people commonly use to measure
self esteem:
How Lovable Am I?
Your self esteem is based on how lovable you think you
are. How do you decide how lovable you are? This is usually determined by
what you think other people think of you, and how much you think these other
people care about you.
How Capable Are You?
Your self esteem is measured by what you think about the
things you 'do'. This falls into two groups; your traits and behaviours.
Traits refers to attributes such as patience, being brave, clean, organized,
thrifty etc. Qualities that you believe are valuable and desirable in your
life. Behaviours are more specific, for example, how fast you can run 100
metres, how well you can cook dinner, or add up numbers.
As you determine your self esteem to the degree that you
consider yourself lovable and capable, it will inevitably be deeply rooted
in your intrinsic belief in your uniqueness, value and worth as a person. It
is also, clearly a subjective opinion and strongly influenced by your
personal beliefs and values as well as the influence of your family,
upbringing and other significant life events.
This process of measuring your value and worth as a
person poses some interesting questions for consideration.
If I were to ask you to rate your level of self esteem
today with a number between 1-10, with 1 being no self esteem, you see no
value in your life and are seriously considering suicide, and 10 being
thinking you are the greatest person in the whole world- What would your
number be?
Supposing tomorrow, you had an argument with your best
friend and they didn't like you or want to speak to you ever again, would
your number remain the same or be lower? If your self esteem is affected by
your emotions, or the way you interact with people and how you perceive what
they think of you then there is a fundamental problem. The problem is your
self esteem will inevitably be unstable and easily affected by your feelings
and perceptions which arise from your circumstances and the way people
respond to you.
However your worth and value as a person, in reality,
remains the same, irrespective of your emotions, circumstances and
relationships. You are not any less of value as a person tomorrow than today
or yesterday. One person's reaction or opinion cannot change your value and
worth as a person. Your emotions cannot change your value as a unique human
being, any more than catching a cold or someone else having a bad day can
devalue your worth. Your value as a person remains constant whether the sun
is shining and you are having a great day, or there's a storm outside and
the events of the day are not going as well as you would like them to.
Everyone has value and worth as a human being. We are all
unique with different personalities, strengths and weaknesses, and each one
of us have been created as lovable and capable people. I would like to
suggest that our self esteem should not be based on our thoughts and
perceptions of how we are treated or valued by other people, or by how well
or badly we perform, whether to our personal standards or that of others.
Rather our self esteem will grow from a deeper inner place as we discover
and accept our uniqueness and value, and learn how to love and live life
with purpose
About the Author
Barbara White, a former Principal and teacher, is now
president of Beyond Better Development. As a speaker and author, Barbara brings
her passion and expertise to work with people to help them grow towards
excellence and their unique potential in their personal and professional life.
More inspirational articles to help you in your
personal growth
Visit another great site for articles
Articles Beyond Better
Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/article/28260.html
If you wish to add the above article to your website or newsletters then please include the "Article Source: http://www.simplysearch4it.com/article/28260.html" as shown above and make it hyperlinked. |
|