Introduction
Each of us is uniquely different in a myriad number of ways. Even identical twins have different personalities and traits despite similar genetics and upbringing. While some personality traits are evident, others are often not valued enough. Two such characteristics that are often confused are self-esteem and self-confidence.
We often hear about people having low confidence or self-esteem in the office or workplace. Let’s understand the importance of these two traits and how to improve them.
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What are self-confidence and self-esteem?
Self-confidence
Self-confidence has many definitions, but we can best describe it as accepting and trusting ourselves and understanding our strengths and weaknesses. Self-confident people believe in themselves and set realistic expectations. Having self-confidence is good for your mental health too.
It is natural for people to be confident in some aspects of their lives but lacks it in others; for example, many are satisfied with academics but not public speaking. However, self-confidence is related more to how one perceives oneself than one’s actual abilities.
People with low self-confidence often experience episodes of self-doubt, are passive or submissive, and find it difficult to trust others. Some may feel inferior and unloved. These feelings stem from various life experiences, such as growing up in an abusive or unsupportive environment, not having a loving family, being judged too harshly in their childhood, or being scared of failure.
Self-esteem
Most people presume self-confidence and self-esteem are the same things. Self-esteem is a person’s sense of personal worth or value. Our self-confidence, sense of belonging, and feeling of competence determine it. It is synonymous with self-respect or self-worth.
It may take us a few years to develop self-esteem and do so only during adolescence [1]. In fact, in adulthood, self-esteem becomes a personality trait. Our self-esteem affects many aspects of our life, including:
- How we see ourselves
- Our decision-making abilities
- Recognizing our strengths
- How kind we are to ourselves
- Moving past mistakes and not blaming ourselves unfairly
- Taking the time we need for ourselves
So several experiences in life can affect our self-esteem, making it difficult to understand ourselves and our emotions. If you experience low self-esteem or are looking to recover your lost self-esteem, these tips may come in handy.
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How can you improve your self-confidence and self-esteem in your workplace [2]?
Our home is our safe place, but we realize where we stand in the world when we step out. So at school, college, and at work or office, we are constantly trying to win some competition with others. Whether getting high grades, playing a sport, seeking promotions, or competing against hundreds of applicants for coveted job opportunities, our self-esteem and self-confidence help us stand out.
If you are wondering how to ask for a pay raise or wish to approach your boss for a much-deserved promotion, here are some ways to improve your self-confidence and self-esteem:
- Believe in yourself, and ignore what others think.
One of the biggest hurdles to our self-confidence and self-esteem is focussing on what others think of us. Instead, we must begin with believing in ourselves.
- Remember your U.S.P.
We are all unique in our way. Each of us has peculiar characteristics that make us good at a few things and not-so-good at others. Identifying our U.S.P. and remembering that we are special can help boost our self-esteem and self-confidence at work.
- Keep your feet grounded in reality.
Regardless of people’s opinions, we must seek feedback from others as it helps keep our feet grounded in reality. Accordingly, honest opinions from people we respect can help us work on some aspects of our job or personality. Having a mentor at the workplace is an excellent example of this.
- Have your definition of success
Success is subjective, and everyone has their definition of it. Set your own goals, determine what success means to you, and achieve it. It can help boost your self-confidence and self-esteem at work.
Other tips that can help boost your self-confidence and self-esteem include the following:
- Step out of your comfort zone.
- Identify your strengths and weaknesses.
- Perform self-assessments from time to time.
- Speak confidently.
- Be decisive.
The importance of Self-Confidence and Self-Esteem
The importance of self-esteem
Self-esteem is essential for our mental health. According to the American Psychological Association, high self-esteem enables us to develop coping skills, adapt to and handle adverse situations, and navigate negative situations.
Hence people with high self-esteem find solutions rather than blame themselves or lose focus. Therefore to avoid the feeling of self-doubt, hopelessness, or stress about unimportant aspects, you must develop high self-esteem. Having high self-esteem helps us handle stress better—at the home, office, at school, or with our peers.
So high self-esteem guides you to look for ways to improve yourself or a situation rather than brood over aspects you cannot change. Here are some reasons why high self-esteem is essential:
- It helps develop healthy, positive relationships.
- It enables us to bounce back after hardships or situations.
- It makes us assertive.
- It makes us less vulnerable to anxiety and depression.
- It empowers us to stand up for ourselves.
- It motivates us to achieve our goals.
The importance of self-confidence
One of the many ways to build higher self-esteem is to work on improving our self-confidence. Here’s why self-confidence is essential for us:
- Being confident allows us to perform our best even when we are stressed.
- People with high self-confidence are influencers and excellent at marketing ideas or products.
- Self-confidence is an essential trait if you are looking for a leadership role. It helps create an aura that compels people to follow your lead.
- Being self-confident makes you a confident individual who exudes a positive attitude.
- Confident people understand that they are valued and respect this fact.
- Confidence helps you scale heights at school, colleges or your workplace.
- Self-confidence is attractive! When you feel good, you attract the right kind of individuals.
- When you are confident, you are less likely to cultivate negative thoughts or doubts.
- Self-confidence is essential to be courageous in life.
Conclusion
While some people develop self-confidence and self-esteem earlier, others develop them later. Regardless, these personality traits are essential for our mental health. Now if you feel you are low on self-confidence or self-esteem, with the right professional help and support, you can build on them to shine in your personal and professional life.
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References
| [1] |
Wikipedia Contributors, “Adolescence,” Wikipedia, Jul. 19, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adolescence. [Accessed: Jul. 19, 2022]
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| [2] |
Wikipedia Contributors, “Workplace,” Wikipedia, Mar. 14, 2022. [Online]. Available: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Workplace. [Accessed: Jul. 19, 2022]
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