Do you suffer from low self-esteem and wonder about the source of your feelings of inadequacy? There are many potential sources of low self-esteem. It has been said that we spend the last 60 years of life recovering from the first 18. In many cases, the first 18 years of life give our self-esteem a beating. Adults aren’t immune from self-esteem issues either. Increasing your self-esteem will enrich your life in countless ways. Your social life, finances and happiness can all grow.

Determine the cause of your self-esteem challenges:

1.Peers. This is especially true during the school-age years but can apply to

adults as well. It’s natural to want to be respected and liked by one’s peers.

Bullying, teasing, and other social-related issues can result in a loss of

self-esteem.

2. Family. Some parents aren’t friendly people. Unsupportive, critical parents or

other family members can harm a child’s self-esteem. This can be then be

carried into adulthood. If your parents were less than spectacular, remember

that you’re not alone.

3.Previous mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes, but some people forgive

themselves more quickly than others. The past is over. Look forward to new

experiences.

4.Negative recurring thoughts. Negative thought patterns over the years and

1decades can create a negative self-image. That’s why it’s so important to say

positive things to yourself. Avoid underestimating the power of your thoughts.

5. Failure. Whether you failed to win the big game or land the big client, any

perceived failure can result in a loss of confidence and self-esteem. Reframe

how you view failure. Learn from your undesirable results. Only get upset with

yourself if you continue to fail in the same manner. Change your approach if it

isn’t working.