Fill 'er Up - Building Self-Esteem
"Catalyst for creativity, confidence, even happiness, self-esteem has played an important role in our personal lives ever since humankind developed the capacity for abstract self-awareness. And now, with the advent of the Knowledge Economy, self-esteem has come to play a critical role in business life as well. Driven by the value inherent in human capital, tomorrow's marketplace belongs to those companies whose leaders and employees exhibit a high level of self-esteem."
- Nathaniel Branden from Self-Esteem At Work - Jossey-Bass Publishers, 1998
The reality is that if we use wheels to reach a destination, then fuel is an integral necessity. No juice-no go! Being mobile offers us an opportunity to explore, discover and experience the freedom of new and exciting vistas. Staying in the rut of hum-drum daily life without taking the risk of new challenges can be stifling and inhibit change. It's all about choice….what would you choose for yourself ? Are you happy with the same fuel you've been using for the past umpteen years, or would you now rather choose to fill up with 'Super'. We need to fill our own personal tank if a full, exciting and rewarding quality of life is our choice. This 'fuel' however is not sold from a metal tank ( at an ever increasing price!) No! Rather it is the invisible, free, yet hugely powerful fuel called Self-Esteem.
Self-esteem you say? What is self-esteem? To have self-esteem is to hold oneself in high regard.
Why of course, I'm OK! This may well be true, and yet I wonder? Can anyone truly claim to have their self-esteem in place without (a) knowing what it is (b) consciously and with intent, working on it? With self-esteem, feelings of adequacy and self worth are our constant companions. We become our own most valuable asset, there for our own support, encouragement and approval. How exciting to know that we can replace old, negative messages that have been programmed into our subconscious thinking (useless! stupid! lazy! ugly! etc ) with new and positive self-descriptive words. These negative messages were recorded many years ago by well meaning (?) parents, teachers, peers, the media etc. Unfortunately, these messages set us up to live our daily lives with self doubt, self criticism and lack of self trust. Not a fun way of proceeding along our journey of life…
With self-esteem, feelings of adequacy and self worth are our constant companions.
Here's the good news…self-esteem is not the privilege of black or white, young or old, male or female, rich or poor, thin or fat.. Self-esteem cannot be bought. There are no quick fixes, rather, you will need an understanding and practical tools to help make this vital concept an achievable goal; honesty and patience to see this task as part of life's journey; and balance to ensure that feelings of self worth are manifest in as many areas of your life as possible. Building your own self-esteem will bring inner strength, serenity, joy and the confidence to pick yourself up when the dark times come.
"I'm sure you'd prefer to set off with a full tank, wouldn't you? Now let's see..um low grade,no... recycled, no....ah, here we are: How about a tank of Super - at no extra cost?"
Celia Coburn
Member of the International Council for Self-Esteem
