Do you have High or Low Self Esteem?
High
self-esteem
A person with high self-esteem is likely to demonstrate
the following characteristics:
1. Knows what they value and believe. Is happy and
willing to defend their viewpoints, even when others disagree with them. Are
secure enough to modify and change their views or behaviour in light of new
information and experience.
2. Makes decisions and acts based on their own
assessments and judgments. Doesn’t feel guilty if others don’t like, or
disagree with, their choices.
3. Doesn’t waste
time worrying about things that went wrong in the past, nor about things that
could go wrong in the future. They learn from mistakes, plan for the future,
and live life fully in the present.
4. Have faith in themselves, their ability to solve
problems, and to cope with life’s challenges. They are not undermined by past
failures and challenges. They are able to ask for help when they need it.
5. Respect themselves and other people. They don’t see
themselves as being better or worse than others. Instead, they recognise that
people are simply different from each other.
6. Values and are interested in themselves and their life
– and takes it for granted that others will like and value them, too (at least
their close friends and family).
7. Resists being manipulated by others. Will only adapt
and collaborate with others if it is appropriate and convenient. Isn’t easily
threatened or undermined by others.
8. Has no problem admitting that they have their ups and
downs, and things go badly or fall apart at times. They are also aware of, and sensitive to, the
feelings and needs of others.
In summary: A person with high self-esteem is confident
in who they are. They don’t need constant reassurances from others to maintain
a positive view of themselves.
Low
self-esteem
A person with low self-esteem is likely to demonstrate
the following characteristics:
1. Experiences intense self-criticism. Is usually
dissatisfied with themselves and their personality.
2. Is hypersensitive to criticism from others.
Experiences feelings of intense resentment towards the person who is
criticising them. Feels as if they are
constantly being attacked and criticised by others.
3. Suffers from chronic indecision as they’re terrified
of making a mistake.
4. Has an excessive desire to please and be acceptable to
others; really does not want to upset or displease anyone who is important to
them.
5. Demonstrates
perfectionist tendencies. This leads to frustration as perfection is not an
achievable goal.
6. Lives with
constant feelings of neurotic guilt. Continually ruminates on, and
over-exaggerates, past mistakes and failings.
7. Is constantly
fighting feelings of free floating anxiety and hostility; also, feelings of
irritability and defensiveness. These are not necessarily tied into any
particular person or event.
8. Generally feels pessimistic about things. Expects to
do badly, or for things to go wrong. Views temporary setbacks as being
permanent, and terrible.
In summary: People with low self-esteem are often
devastated any kind of negative feedback or criticism. They tend to take it
very personally. This is partly because they are already highly critical of
themselves, and depend on the approval of others in order to feel OK.
Image Source: http://www.sxc.hu/photo/22610
Post a Comment