Module II Self-Esteem: Sense of Worth

Self-esteem is a term in psychology to reflect a person's overall evaluation or appraisal of his or her own worth. Self-esteem encompasses beliefs (for example, "I am competent", "I am worthy") an emotions such as triumph, espair, pri e an shame'. !he self-concept is what we thin" about the self# selfesteem, the positive or negative evaluation of the self, is how we feel about it'.$%& ' person(s self-concept consists of the beliefs one has about oneself, one(s selfperception, or, expresses it, "the picture of oneself". ()**+) escribe selfconcept as totally perception which people hol about him, herself It is not the "facts" about one-self but rather what one believes to be true about one-self. -arly researchers use self-concept as a escriptive construct, such as .I am an athlete( It stan s on self respect, self acceptance, self trust an self believe. /ecent theories a apte self-esteem with more evaluative statements li"e .I am goo at tennis( (0arter )**1). !he latter statement not only escribes the self, as the in ivi ual i entifies herself or himself, but evaluates the self by putting worthiness on it. !herefore, self-esteem is efine as both escriptive an evaluative self-relate statements. 's a social psychological construct, selfesteem is attractive because researchers have conceptuali2e it as an influential pre ictor of relevant outcomes, such as aca emic achievement (3arsh )**4) or exercise behavior (0agger et al. )**5). In a ition, self-esteem has also been treate as an important outcome ue to its close relation with psychological wellbeing (3arsh )*5*). Self-concept (i.e. self-esteem) is wi ely believe to be compose of more than 6ust perceive competence, an this lea s to the relative egree of evaluative an cognitive beliefs of the construct. Self-esteem is viewe as the most evaluative an affective of the three constructs (0arter, )***a). 7verlay, self-concept is consi ere as the beliefs about perceive competence an self-evaluative in a specific omain. Selfesteem can apply specifically to a particular imension (for example, "I believe I am a goo writer an I feel happy about that") or have global extent (for example, "I believe I am a ba person, an feel ba about myself in general"). 8sychologists usually regar self-esteem as an en uring personality characteristic ("trait" self-esteem), though normal, short-term variations ("state" self-esteem) also exist. Synonyms or near-synonyms of self-esteem inclu e9 self-worth, self-regar selfrespect, an self-integrity. 'ccor ing to !he 'merican 0eritage :ictionary of the -nglish ;anguage, "self-love" is "the instinct or esire to promote one's wellbeing"#while ;a /ochefoucaul consi ere 'that amour-propre (self-regar ) is the mainspring of all human activities'

Positive self-esteem
. 8eople with a healthy level of self-esteem9

<irmly believe in certain values an principles, an are rea y to efen them even when fin ing opposition, feeling secure enough to mo ify them in light of experience 're able to act accor ing to what they thin" to be the best choice, trusting their own 6u gment, an not feeling guilty when others on't li"e their choice :o not lose time worrying excessively about what happene in the past, nor about what coul happen in the future. !hey learn from the past an plan for the future, but live in the present intensely. <ully trust in their capacity to solve problems, not hesitating after failures an ifficulties. !hey as" others for help when they nee it. =onsi er themselves e>ual in ignity to others, rather than inferior or superior, while accepting ifferences in certain talents, personal prestige or financial stan ing. !a"e for grante that they are an interesting an valuable person for others, at least for those with whom they have a frien ship. /esist manipulation, collaborate with others only if it seems appropriate an convenient. ' mit an accept ifferent internal feelings an rives, either positive or negative, revealing those rives to others only when they choose. 're able to en6oy a great variety of activities. 're sensitive to feelings an nee s of others# respect generally accepte social rules, an claim no right or esire to prosper at others' expense.

Low self-esteem

It can result from various factors, inclu ing a physical appearance or weight, socioeconomic status, or peer pressure or bullying.

;ow self-esteem occasionally lea s to suici al i eation an behaviour. !hese can inclu e self-impose isolation, feelings of re6ection, e6ection, insignificance, an etachment, an increase issatisfaction with current social relationships. ' lac" of social support from peers or family ten s to create or exacerbate stress on an in ivi ual, which can lea to an inability to a 6ust to current circumstances :rug abuse an forms of elin>uency are common si e effects of low selfesteem. ' person with low self-esteem may show some of the following characteristics9

Heavy self-criticism an issatisfaction. Hypersensitivity to criticism with resentment against critics an feelings of being attac"e . Chronic indecision an an exaggerate fear of mista"es. Excessive will to please an unwillingness to isplease any petitioner. Perfectionism, which can lea to frustration when perfection is not achieve . Neurotic guilt, welling on an exaggerating the magnitu e of past mista"es. Floating hostility an general efensiveness an irritability without any proximate cause. Pessimism an a general negative outloo". Envy, invi iousness, or general resentment. $

Importance of self esteem in workplace

Self esteem can be the ifference between success an failure -steem can affect your thin"ing, causing your outloo" to be positive or negative -steem affects your confi ence It affects your self image If you o not value yourself how will you be able to value others? Self esteem enables you to have the right attitu e to succee at wor" It affects your happiness

Steps to enhance self esteem

<orgiveness ;et the past go away Set your goals Say positive things about yourself @elieve in yourself ;ove yourself ;oo" forwar not bac" war <ocus on strengths