by Amanda Jerelyn

Self-esteem can be basically defined as how you presume your own self-worth. It is not about being a perfect person. It is more, a form of self-reflection as to where you stand and your place in the world. Your attitude towards yourself and your beliefs about yourself is what defines your self-esteem. That is why many people associate people with high self-esteem as being successful in life.

However, success itself is subjective. A billionaire with no one to talk to or any real friends may still be considered successful by many. However, a middle-class person with a loving family and a strong friend circle around them would consider themselves to be living a successful life. Hence much about how people define success itself is based on how they interpret success.

According to a recent study published by DoSomething.org, 70% of girls from ages 15-17 would miss daily activities and even attending school, if they feel bad about their looks. Seventy-five percent of girls with low self-esteem have been reported in engaging in negative activities like bullying, cutting, drinking, and smoking.

In light of this information, let’s take a quick look at some of the ways through which a healthy relationship can be established between self-esteem and success in life.

#1 Way to Improve Self-Esteem:
Combating “Floccinaucinihilipilification”

You might be thinking that I am showing off here, but the term ‘floccinaucinihilipilification’ actually refers to someone who estimates something as worthless through their actions or habits. In life, there is a strong lesson for all of us that nothing in this world is actually worthless, and as a person, we must never truly think of ourselves nor others in the same perspective. Many people consider high self-esteem and self-confidence to be hurtful, as these people neglect what others feel and think while also considering them not worth their efforts. However, that is not the case.

A true leader is also someone who inspires others and pushes them towards success. They build your self-esteem and guide you towards success.

#2 Way to Improve Self-Esteem:
Self-Evaluation & Prognosis

A person with high self-esteem is often considered someone who rates themselves highly above others, however, there might be a misconception regarding this notion.

Take the example of Nicholas James Vujicic, who is a motivational speaker from Australia. He was born with autosomal recessive tetraamelia, which is better known as tetraamelia syndrome. This is a rare disorder, and as such, Nicolas doesn’t have arms and legs. However, in his presence, his self-esteem shines through and touches your heart whenever he speaks in public. A strong theme in his speeches, is self-evaluation and the idea of not giving up. People who simply don’t give up in life are the ones who find success.

There is a book out there called, “You Don’t Loose Till You Quit Trying”, by Sammy Lee Davis, a Vietnam veteran, and Medal of Honor recipient. In this book, we read an inspiring and true-life account of this amazing man who stood against all odds and never gave up. To tie this up with how this relates to success, we need to self-evaluate more often as through this process, we can come up with solutions even when things seem impossible to accomplish.

#3 Way to Improve Self-Esteem:
Planning & Setting Goals

Regardless of culture and tradition, we really never give our mothers the credit they actually deserve. Throughout the world, we find how super-moms actually make ends meet, bring up a family, and multi-task. They follow through busy schedules, have everyone on their radar, and do a fantastic job of raising kids. They are truly the most underpaid workers in the world as they are always on duty. From them, we can learn the essence of planning and setting goals as they carry out their days, meet deadlines, and still face countless hurdles.

However, when it comes to loved ones and their family members, these super-moms have unwavering self-esteem and commitment, which makes them an inspiration for the rest of us. They implant success in others, and in turn, their family members’ success becomes their own.

#4Way to Improve Self-Esteem:
Realizing Mistakes & Forgiving Yourself

Overcoming your own mistakes and finding closure to traumatic events in life also boosts one’s self-esteem and guides people towards greater success. At times we are too hard on ourselves, and therefore the biggest hurdle becomes ourselves. Self-forgiveness is also therapeutic in the sense that it means that you accept your behavior and what has already occurred while eager to put it behind you once and for all without deliberating over previous occasions that are impossible to change. Hence the idea is heavily focused on resolving inner conflicts and finding peace with oneself.

#5 Way to Improve Self-Esteem:
Professional & Personal Development

Perhaps one of the best ways that most of us can try to increase our self-esteem and success in this world is through personal and professional development. Knowledge is power, and learning is a process that simply doesn’t end throughout our lives. There is always room for improvement, so instead of a fixed mindset, one must pursue to live with a learning mindset that can greatly boost self-confidence and help acquire new life skills. The more competent we become in life, the more resilient and independent we are to make decisions.

Here I would like to mention Jackie Chan as an example because seldom people know that he started his career as a stuntman. Over the years, Mr. Chan worked hard and acquired incredible filmmaking skills. Today he is known as not only a martial artist but also as an outstanding screenwriter, producer, film director, action choreographer, and singer. With over 150 movies under his belt, he is probably the most recognized star in the world.

#6 Way to Improve Self-Esteem:
Compassion, Environmentalism, & Philanthropy

People with high self-esteem are also the ones who fight for a cause and have the ability to stand up for that which is right. Furthermore, their actions bring them gratification and peace for the soul. By committing themselves to a selfless act of kindness and compassion towards others, they can help the people around them and the environment. Environmentalists, philanthropists, and those who run the charity are, most of the time, people who have a strong belief in the positivity that lies in changing current scenarios. They are not only hopeful that the future can be changed, but they also encourage those around them to fully partake in becoming the change they want to see in the world.

People like Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, Greta Thunberg are just a few names of the countless heroes this world has seen who stood up and walked their march to show people the power of ‘change.’

#7 Way to Improve Self-Esteem:
Overcoming Phobias & Confronting Fears

There are times where our own fears bind us like invisible chains, stopping us from achieving our full potential. These chains hindered people’s lives and stopped them from living freely. It is not strange that we find people enveloped in their own fears. There are a lot of phobias that have afflicted people around the world, including fear of heights, fear of water, fear of spiders, and the list goes on. However, a person with high self-esteem could be taught to overcome their fears and confront them.

One of the best examples is Warren Buffett, who experienced stage fright and was afraid of speaking in front of people. Throughout his college years, he avoided taking subjects and courses that would require him to speak in front of the class. However, he overcame his fear by enrolling in a public speaking course and confronting his fear head-on. Today we all know him as one of the richest people in the world.

Conclusion on How to Improve Self-Esteem

People with high self-esteem are able to show perseverance, which allows them to overcome hardship and emerge victorious against life challenges. This pushes them to achieve further success in life and become an inspiration for all of us to follow.

Photo Credit: Michelle Bonkosky via Unsplash