No one can bring you self-esteem, it comes from within your mind, heart and soul. How do you know when you have healthy self-esteem? Spiritually you have an inner peace. Emotionally, you face life’s problems from a place of empowerment. Physically, you do the things that keep you healthy and fit. Mentally, you keep learning, growing and experiencing those things that keep you going forward in positive ways.

Unhealthy self-esteem keeps you doubting, off-balance, wistful and distrustful. Healthy self-esteem is emotionally powerful and strong. The depth and breadth of your emotional strength is the foundation for all of life’s successes. The healthier your self-esteem, the less likely you are to sabotage your happiness and success. An immediate goal should be to enhance and revitalize your self-esteem.

Examples of people with Healthy Self-esteem:

• An abundance of energy


• Accepts constructive suggestions


• Control of emotions


• In control of goals


• A friendly person


• Knows who they are


• Self-confident

Examples of people with Unhealthy Self-esteem:

• Tired and drained


• Overly sensitive


• Emotionally distraught


• Victimized


• Unpleasant and moody


• Changes with the crowd


• Feels inferior


• Angry and hostile

A few years back, during a figure skating championship, a highly ranked skater took a nasty fall at the very end of her original program. The crowd reacted negatively and she quickly became discouraged and disheartened.

Her coach was alarmed by her negativity and took her to the sports psychologist for a battery of tests. After several psychological exams it was reported to the media that each exam showed poor self-esteem. The whole world now knew she had poor self-esteem. Was the coach reinforcing her unhealthy self-esteem?

During the second round of competition, this magnificently talented skater lost her flair for the dramatic. She refused to try anything too risky and settled for safe. It was amazing how one fall changed the perception she had of her ability and worth as a champion.

She ended up finishing far below her expectations, natural abilities and talents despite many flawless performances in the past. What if her original program had been a flawless performance, would her self-esteem have been higher?

A retired champion made an interesting observation. He said that if you want to be a champion, you can’t allow outside negative forces to influence the mental picture you have of yourself. He went on to say that this highly talented skater not only allowed the reaction of the crowd to affect her skating performance but, more importantly, she turned out to be her own worst enemy.

**Excerpt from How To Give Yourself The POWER To Succeed by Sharon Michaels - All Rights Reserved**

How do you nurture your healthy self-esteem? If you have suggestions, please go to our forum and share your ideas. Self Development Forum

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