How to Build Your Self Esteem

Surround Yourself With Positive People
Look at the company you keep.  Are they generally positive people or do they bring you down? It's hard, but sometimes you have to cut people out of your life that bring you down.  When you're on a quest to learn to love yourself, it's important you spend time with people that are fun, positive and uplifting.



 Daily Affirmations

If you're old enough to remember Stuart Smalley from Saturday Night Live, you may remember the phrase "I'm good enough, smart enough, and doggone it people like me!" 
This phrase may have generated a lot of laughs in the 90's but it really is an example of a useful affirmation.
Try this.  Every morning when you get up, stand in the mirror and say 5 things you like about yourself.  It can be anything from "I like my smile" to "I am good at making people laugh." 
Do this every morning before you start your day.  The effects from this exercise over time can be amazing.





 Face Your Fears
We all have at least one thing we've always wanted to try but perhaps we were afraid to try it.  Write down a list of things you've always wanted to do.  Pick the one that's most important and go for it.  You will feel so proud of yourself for taking on a challenge you've always feared.

 Feed Your Brain
Get a copy of How to Raise Your Self Esteem and Honoring The Self by Nathaniel Brandon.
I own both of these and they are very insightful books with great advice.  They are both easy reads and "How to Raise Your Self Esteem" contains exercises that help you break free of the negative self-concepts and conquer you anger, depression and anxiety.

 Learn a New Skill
When you learn how to do something new, it helps build your self esteem.  Ever wanted to learn how to dance?  Take a salsa class.  Thought about learning a foreign language? Take a Spanish class.  Not only will you meet new people but it will help you feel good about yourself.

 Remember to Reward and Compliment Yourself

I was notorious for always criticizing myself for things I didn't or couldn't do.  If I had only put half as much emphasize on praising myself for my accomplishments as I did tearing myself down, it would have made a world of difference.
There's nothing wrong with saying "Good job" to yourself after you've completed a task.  When you do this on a regular basis you begin to appreciate yourself.  It may feel weird at first, but keep at it and you'll notice a positive change over time.