It is the type of success that allows us to live well and to live long. In addition, it allows us to leave a living legacy for the generations that follow us. That, to me, is the true nature of true success.
Success that leads to self-destruction is not success at all. It is simply self-destruction. Success that leads to a fat bank account and yet brings about a breakdown in relationships is not success at all. Itâs a crying shame. After the glitz and the glamour has faded, one of the most important things that you can do is to learn how to live at peace with yourself and with those around you; those who love you for whom you are.
True success has everything to do with the place that self-esteem plays in your life. It also has to do with how you perceive yourself and accept yourself.
Now, before we discuss this any further, letâs take a closer look at the word self-esteem.
SELF-ESTEEM, in the Websterâs Dictionary, means esteem or respect for oneself; an excessively favourable opinion of oneself.
And as esteem makes up half of the above word, letâs find out the meaning of that as well.
ESTEEM means to have a high regard for; to respect; to admire; to regard as having a certain value. Most success sabotages occur because the one who has experienced a measure of success, in one area of their life, has failed to sufficiently nurture their self-esteem. It is vital that when a success event is over, that the one who succeeded learns to live a life that is full and satisfying, with or without the past success.
Donât run out of steam. Make sure that you take great care of your own personal self-esteem, first and foremost, so that you can always find yourself traveling on track, FULL SELF-ESTEEM AHEAD. If you live your life being ruled by what others think, or donât think about you, you will continue to live a life that is bound by the opinions of mankind. Although we are to listen to the sounds of our critics, it is so much more important to listen to the beat of your own heart.
Walk in humility, but donât allow yourself to become a doormat. You were created for greatness and it is vital that you treat yourself with a great deal of respect. This is the central theme that makes up for the development and maintenance of a powerful self-esteem.
So here are four steps that will help you to build into your life a strong and healthy self-esteem.
1. HIGH REGARD
Hold yourself in high regard. Think high thoughts about yourself. This has nothing to do with arrogance nor has it anything to do with flaunting pompous attitudes. Rather, it has everything to do with giving yourself credit where credit is due. You are a unique individual who has something of incredible value to offer this world and its inhabitants. See it for what it is and believe it. See yourself as royalty. Yes, you as a queen or a king or a prince or a princess.
My daughter Sarahâs name actually means princess and I believe it and remind her of the fact constantly. This has instilled within her a wonderful high and yet balanced self-esteem. Do the same for yourself.
Visualise yourself as royalty.
2. RESPECT
Never deride yourself. Let me explain this in simple language. Donât ever put yourself down. Watch your mouth. Show yourself the respect that you deserve by speaking only good, kind and wholesome words about yourself. No matter what situation you find yourself in, never allow yourself to be disrespectful to yourself. It is poisonous and is an abominable practice. Negative words will destroy you if you continue on with such destructive habits. If you choose to share these negative words about yourself with others, youâll quickly lose friends as well.
Those who love themselves are always better lovers. They breed the spirit of friendship wherever they go because they have a healthy respect for who they are and what they do.
They have learnt the art of positive speech about others and about themselves.
NEVER DERIDE, ALWAYS TAKE PRIDE
3. ADMIRE
Admiration is a wonderful thing. As a young man I would admire certain people. Some of them were teachers. Others were sporting personalities, while as a teenager I began to idolize singers and musicians. Whom do I admire today? I donât admire any billionaires, millionaires, movie stars, rock stars, politicians, royal families, sporting heroes in particular. At this point in my life I tend to admire those who practice what they preach. I admire real people.
But before you admire anybody, learn to admire yourself. Whatever you do, donât compare yourself to anyone else.
You are you, and it is you who you should stand first in line to receive your autograph.
Admire what you look like, what you talk like and what you do. Admire your strengths and continue to make it your usual practice of expressing that admiration through reward and recognition. Applaud your small successes and praise your huge successes. And always take time out to pamper the inner you that influences the outer you that everybody sees. Care for your spirit, soul and body is so important if you are to live a truly successful life.
BE THE FIRST TO STAND IN LINE TO GET YOUR AUTOGRAPH
4. VALUE
When you value something you will always take greater care of it. However, when you donât value something, you are less likely to tend the same amount of care on that thing of value. That is why I encourage my children to earn their own money and to purchase the luxuries that they want for their own personal use. My wife buys the clothes that they need, but makes them purchase any additional fashionable clothes that they want. And that even went for our ten year old who, because she wanted to purchase her own pair of roller blades, at the age of ten owned and operated her own business.
A millionairess whom I know once said that she would always purchase regular clothing for her children. But if they ever wanted fashion designer clothes, then the children would have to make up the difference from their own savings.
Our experience has been that our children value the things that they have personally worked for, much more than the things that have been handed to them without any effort on their part.
Expend the effort of developing a healthy self-esteem in your life by showing yourself that you really value YOU.
Motivational Memo: Hop on board the success train⦠full self-esteem ahead!
Peter Sinclair is a student of success and an entrepreneur. His vision is to help others reach their full potential, and the driving force of his life and his work is to life people. Peter is renowned and respected as a dynamic writer and speaker. He is married to Shelley and is the proud father of three turbo-charged children. Both he and his family reside on the Gold Coast, Australia and he loves to impart wisdom into the lives of people all around the world.
