Self-esteem and confidence are two qualities usually lumped together, but they really are quite different.

  • Self-esteem is how you feel about yourself – your level of worthiness.
  • Confidence is how you feel about your abilities – your capabilities.
 It’s important to understand the distinction, because you might not be giving yourself credit for what you do feel or what you’re capable of doing, and makes it unclear how to improve.
We’re usually taught surface level things to improve self-esteem & confidence, for example – don’t talk bad about yourself, affirm positive feelings, etc. These may help for a time, but they don’t address the source of the problem.
Understand self-esteem comes pre-installed. You can’t create more self-esteem – you were born with as much as you can ever have. However, as we grow, we usually cover up our positive feelings about ourselves. The key is to get back in touch with what’s already there – just covered up. How?

Here are 10 ways to raise self-esteem:

  1. Get rid of limiting beliefs – with a coach
  2. Do the mirror exercise – appreciate yourself
  3. Get clear on your values – what’s important to you – both big & small things
  4. Focus on the positive – find the silver lining
  5. Ask others what great qualities you posses
  6. Detach emotionally from your results & stop comparing yourself to others
  7. Understand that hurt people hurt people
  8. Heal your past wounds – don’t pretend they aren’t there or pack them down
  9. Exercise & eat well – helps increase energy and how you feel about yourself
  10. Quit putting yourself down
When it comes to confidence, that is something we create – we are not born with it. It is also dependent upon results. The things we are confident about are generally things we have done before, so we’ve proven we can do them.

Here are 7 ways to raise your confidence:

  1. Keep a victory log
  2. Focus on your activities – not your results
  3. Ask other people what you’re good at
  4. Take action, & learn you’ll survive the risk
  5. Anchoring – past feelings of confidence can give you that feeling anytime with anchors
  6. Purpose – when you know your purpose and engage in it, confidence shows up. Your purpose is what you’re passionate about and something you can do easily. Natural confidence lives there.
  7. Watch your body language – empowering stances can bring you confidence.

Listen to the CD for even more ways to raise both self-esteem and confidence, and much more information! ~ SS