OMG Digital Magazine OMG Issue 309 17th May 2018 | Page 6

OMG Digital Magazine | 309 | Thursday 17 May 2018 • PAGE 6
SoulFood
How to Build Confidence & Self Esteem
BY  HAROLD E. SCONIERS
Self-esteem and confidence are two levels of conception
closely tied to an individual's sense of well-being. The
words self-esteem refer to a person's perception of her
own worth or value. All people have strengths as well
as shortcomings. Those with high self-esteem expand
their strong points can accept weaknesses without guilt
or remorse and work diligently toward improvement.
Confidence is the belief in ones own capacity to meet
challenges in a certain area of life. Confidence proceeds
achievement, which, in turn, further fosters self-worth.
BUILDING SELF-ESTEEM
Step 1
The person who desires to achieve high levels of
confidence and self esteem must begin by accepting
full responsibility for every result produced in his life.
Self- responsibility is paramount to self-esteem in that it
puts one in charge of his own destiny. By assuming the
directing role of your existence, you become capable of
placing yourself on the path to personal achievement
Step 2 
In order to truly feel worthy, it's important to accept every
aspect of yourself. A mark of confidence is the ability to
accurately asses one strengths and weaknesses without
judgment and use the insights collected to constructing
a strategy for personal success.
Step 3
Provide yourself with kind words. Stating and re-iterating
the belief that your are capable when facing a challenge
allows you the space to learn how life works. When
speaking of yourself, make it a point to affirm your intrinsic
value and worth as a human being. Positive self-talk goes a
long way in building genuine feelings of self-appreciation.
Step 4
Find a group of supporters. Self-esteem is grounded
on feeling lovable. Perceiving ones self a being lovable
heavily weighs on a sense of belonging. Surround yourself
with people which whom you can share your dreams and
goals freely without fear of destructive criticism.
Step 5
Get lots of small things done. Make a to-do list, compiled
with all the little issues you would like to see resolved
around the house or office. Repairing a broken shelf, re-
hanging a picture or things of that sort will do just fine.
After accumulating a good number of minor chores, begin
accomplishing these tasks, one by one. Even completing
small chores will begin to instill within your mind that you
are a person who completes things. This will bring into
existence a sense of confidence that will prepare you to
tackle something larger.
Tips
Developing self-esteem is not about resisting negativity
but choosing your own direction. At some time each
night, recount the things that you did correctly that day.
Avoid toxic people. It is said that the three closest people
to an individual have the greatest level of influence over
that person's life.
Warnings
Confidence is not arrogance. Aggressive behavior is
nothing more than one's miscalculated effort to give the
appearance of confidence. Real self-esteem engenders an
appreciation for the rights of others to follow their own
personal path without interference. One who seek his
own satisfaction at the detriment to those around him is
merely self-absorbed.