6 Pillars of Healthy Self Esteem

“ I have learned from experience that the greatest part of our happiness or misery depends on our dispositions and not on our circumstances.”

Martha Washington 

Have you struggled with your ability to cope with life challenges and your sense of competency to do so? Do you lack confidence in your worthiness for love, success, respect, or happiness?

I have found Nathaniel Branden’s book “The Six Pillars of Self-Esteem” clear, direct and insightful. Here is my brief take on it.
If you are following a life that is out of alignment with what you believe in and value, then it is difficult to live in integrity and feel good about yourself.
Self-esteem is a consequence of your behaviors. To have greater self-esteem we want to practice the following:

1. Live life consciously-live mindfully.
2. Accept ourselves - be kind to yourself about your mistakes, listen to what they tell you.
3. Take responsibility for everything in life: actions and inactions. You owe it to yourself; the world does not owe you.
4. Live on purpose- have a vision, not only at work, but also in your personal life, and work it.
5. Live in integrity- behave according to deep felt values and beliefs.

6. Be assertive - have courage to confront, say no and set boundaries.