Chapter 6

Self Esteem

• what a man thinks of himself; that is what determines, or rather indicates, his fate. 

-Henry David Thoreau

Some comparison characteristics of people with high and low Self-Esteem:

High Self Esteem                                                  Low Self Esteem

#Talk about ideas                                                    #Talk about people

#Caring Attitude                                                      #Critical attitude

#Humility                                                                 #Arrogance

#Respects authority                                                 #Rebels against authority

#Courage of conviction                                           #Goes along to get along

#Confidence                                                           #Confusion

#Concerned about character                                   #Concerned about reputation

#Assertive                                                              #Aggressive

#Accepts responsibility                                           #Blames the whole world

#Self interest                                                          #Selfish

#Optimistic                                                            #Fatalistic

#Understanding                                                     #Greedy

#Willing to learn                                                    #Know it all

#Sensitive                                                             #Touchy

#Solitude                                                              #Lonely

#Discuss                                                              # Argue

#Guided                                                               #Misguided

#Discipline                                                           #Distorted sense of freedom

#Internally driven                                                 #Externally driven

#Respects others                                                 #Looks down on others

#Enjoy decency                                                   #Enjoy vulgarity

#Knows limits                                                      #Everything goes

#Giver                                                                 #Taker

  

Positive Self Esteem                                            Negative Self Esteem

*Self respect                                                           *Self put down

*Self confidence                                                     *Self doubt

*Self worth                                                             *Self abuse

*Self acceptance                                                     *Self denial

*Self love                                                                *Self centeredness

*Self knowledge                                                      *Self deceit

*Self discipline                                                         *Self indulgence

• Freedom is not procured by a full enjoyment of what is desired but controlling the desire.

-Epictetus

• Our privileges can be no greater than our obligations. The protection of our rights can endure no longer than the performance of our responsibilities. -John F. Kennedy

• Associate yourself with people of good quality if you esteem your reputation,for it is better to be alone than to be in bad company. -George Washington
• Patience creates confidence, decisiveness, and a rational outlook, which eventually leads to success.

-Brian Adams

• A good beginning makes a good ending. -English proverb

Self Esteem-Building a positive attitude

1. Read life stories of people who have turned negative into positives. Make reading good books or listening to inspirational audio tapes part of your daily routine.
2. Regularly and systematically commit a portion of your time and/or money to charitable activity without any expectations in cash or kind.
3. Stay away from negative influences. Don't give into peer pressure.
4. Practice giving and receiving sincere compliments graciously and gracefully.
5. Start accepting responsibility for your behavior and actions.
6. Practice self discipline even when it is not comfortable.
7. Associate with people of high moral character.
8. Be creative and find ways to turn your weakness into strengths.
9. Practice patience; persevere even if the results are not visible.