Eleven New Ways To Increase Your Self-Esteem!

 Stick to your Values: Don't violate your own value system. Write down your values and beliefs–and then work hard to stick by them. Nothing can destroy self-esteem like violation of your own beliefs, creeds and values. 

 Listen To Your Conscience: If you feel something is wrong, don't do it. Stop ignoring the internal voices that knows when you are doing wrong. Pay attention.

* Emulate Who You Admire: Who do you admire most? Why do you admire this person or persons? Once you pinpoint the actions and/or qualities that you so admire, emulate them. Often we admire those who mirror what we wish we could be.

* Refuse To Be Mistreated: Do you continually let yourself be mistreated? Do you allow yourself to be a helpless victim? Stop putting aside your dignity and self-respect. Walk away from people who only mistreat and don't really care about you.

* Do One Thing You Fear Each Day: Every day, break through the barriers of fear that prevent you from doing and being all you are capable of. Challenge yourself each day to confront a fear and face it down. You'll be surprised how quickly walls come down when you run towards, rather than away, from your fears.

* Treat Others With Love: Just as you should refuse to be mistreated, you also need to refuse to mistreat others. Make it a habit to treat others–even those you dislike–with love. Make the act of love a part of your daily life.

* Educate Yourself: There is no need to feel stupid about anything, when there are thousands of books available at libraries and bookstores on any subject imaginable. Start reading. Read about the topics that interest you. Set out to educate yourself through books.

* Let Go Of Shame: Do you hear the voice of shame constantly putting you down and scolding you? Often, we have feelings of shame leftover from childhood. Get in touch your shame. Listen to it, and then firmly ask it to leave. Tell it that its job of keeping in line is over. Fire shame–tell shame that its services are no longer needed. Silence that voice forever. You don't deserve to be ashamed.

* Forgive Yourself: Yes, you've done lots of stupid things. Yes, you've goofed up big time. Now forgive yourself. Bestow upon yourself the healing power of forgiveness. Embrace your humanity–even the parts of you that are not perfect. Tell yourself it is okay to not be perfect.

* Talk Nicely To Yourself: Do you practice verbal self-abuse? Do you bombard yourself with negative and pessimistic thoughts? Do you constantly berate and shame yourself? Stop–stop now. Start talking to yourself as you would a precious child. Talk to yourself like you are a child who deserves to be given love, honor, respect and dignity. Be polite with yourself. Treat yourself as kindly as you would the person you love best in this world.

* Celebrate Your Mistakes: Stop worrying about your mistakes. Mistakes are part of life. We learn from our mistakes. Mistakes are the stepping stones to success. Rather than letting mistakes tarnish your self-esteem, allow your mistakes to enpower you.