Four steps to a new approach of enhancing self-esteem.
Copyright 2005 Emmanuel Segui
You have the power to run your own thoughts and to decide to
increase the level of your self-esteem. Here is a new approach
on self-esteem using the kind of states and emotions you
experience every day: acceptation, appreciation and esteem. You
will use these feelings or states of mind to increase your level
of self- esteem whenever you want.
Practicing these four steps to enhance your self esteem will
change the way you see yourself and the way you feel about
yourself.
1. A state of acceptation. First, access an experience of
acceptation of an outside event, for example a traffic jam or
the weather. It is something you may not necessary like but you
can accept it. Feel the emotion and notice your posture, your
sensations and how you look. What are you thinking and how are
you thinking it? Notice the tension in your muscles. Are you
relaxed?
You will now amplify this state and emotion inside of you until
it reaches 8 or 9 on a scale from 1 to 10. Let the feeling of
acceptance build and make an anchor by touching your left wrist,
or whatever part of your body that seems ok for you.
2. A state of appreciation. Secondly, access an experience of
appreciation for something outside of you, for example your
baby, a sunset or your health. In the same way, notice your
posture and your sensations in your hands head and body? Let
this feeling of appreciation build as well and make an anchor by
touching the same part of your body as in step 1.
3. A state of esteem. Third, access an experience of esteem of
something marvel about, someone you admire, something you honour
and esteem highly. Notice your posture and the sensations in
your body. What do you look like when you are standing in awe?
How is your breathing? Let this feeling of esteem/awe build as
well and make an anchor by touching the same part of your body
as in step 1.
4. Apply to Self and Your Life. Now, you're going to think about
yourself and touch the part of the body you selected in step 1.
And as the process of "esteeming yourself" continues, notice how
your thoughts and emotions change about yourself because you can
now easily feel appreciation for your skills and abilities; you
can feel acceptance about those things in your life that you may
not like; you can feel esteem for yourself as a human being.
Finally, every time you are tempted to feel critical of
yourself, you can do this! It's up to you!
The fact is that you're important and it's like the world tries
to pull you down by saying "you're not enough good...thin
enough...smart enough..." The fact is that you are somebody and
you have value. Your contribution to the world is important.
This exercise helps you so you know it emotionally and not just
intellectually.