...meaningful ways to build self-esteem.
I wrote about this over on the other blog, and while re-reading it, wanted to put it over here, and expand on it a little bit.
Ever since teaching (first 5th, then 7th, and then high school - for a total of 6 years), I've been fascinated by tools and techniques to "build people up." Now I realize that these same tools, while benefiting us in inter-personal relationships, also impact our intra-personal relationships - our camaraderie, trust, and belief in our selves.
What reasons can we come up with to enhance self esteem? Perhaps this one works: well-prepared, experienced, educated, strong-willed, success-driven people all around us are taking on new challenges and solving old problems.
Here are two ways I've experienced my own esteem going up; and, I have seen these work on other people as well!
ACCOMPLISHMENT: Find out what happened. For mentors, coaches, parents and friends...it's pretty easy! Just ask. Keep in touch through day-to-day life. I remember my dad, at the dinner table each night, would ask us, "What was the highlight of the day?" Even though we knew it was coming (and sometimes I even planned what I was going to say) it always came out slightly differently than planned. Having an opportunity to "brag" about something, with people who truly cared, was especially special.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT: Work is hard, and life is harder. People end each day with a to do list longer than yesterday; and for some, there is little or no end in sight. Slow down to speed up. Consider actually making a list (yes, stopping to write things down) of all that's already been done, anything you've completed lately that's gotten you closer to a milestone/objective.
The way I've understood it, accomplishment comes from the outside and acknowledgment comes from the inside. Combine them both for maximum value and momentum.
One of the best things I've found which has elements of both of these is to end each day by writing down 5 good things that happened to you. Sometimes, it's hard to find 5 good things, and you end up realizing that waking up is one, breathing is a second, eating is a third, etc. From this I learned perspective has alot to do with outlook, and when you prove to yourself over and over that good things happen to you every day, it's hard to get down.
Posted by: Nik Chapapas | April 10, 2006 at 08:48 PM
Nice! Doing and having your bucket filled...
Posted by: Matthew Cornell | April 10, 2006 at 05:01 PM