How to Improve Self Esteem
with Positive Thought
and past mistakes

Over the past twenty years, I've found that helping people improve self esteem and build a positive self image is probably the single most important aspect of success of any kind.  

In earlier articles on self confidence hypnosis and the role of limiting beliefs in building positive self esteem, I discuss the three aspects of self image that are best addressed subconsciously when it comes to building confidence.

Here I want to focus on the conscious mind and three ways to use it to improve self esteem. Specifically:

1. The Power of Positive Thought

2. Self-talk

3.  What to do when things don't turn out the way we hope--  (reframing)

What the Gilded Age Knew

In the early part of the twentieth century, Andrew Carnegie commissioned the creation of a work known as "The Law of Success." It is the fundamental publication connecting the power of positive thinking to health, longevity, and success. As one expert wrote, being "positive and motivated is the life blood of...success." 

Of course, as William Shakespeare once said:  "Therein lies the rub".

By that, the Bard meant that success comes to those with a positive mindset, but what if you have low self-esteem? How do you succeed at being your very best both physically and mentally if you cannot shake that persistent thought that you're not good enough, the same as others, and so on?

Mind Programming

Self confidence hypnosis is a powerful way to "reprogram" self image and limiting beliefs at deeper levels.  But you need to realize that we are always programming our subconscious minds -- with self talk. To improve self esteem you also have to change the conversation going on in your head. 

How long will your deep subconscious mind programming last if you constantly contradict it with thoughts and self talk that says you are "not good enough," "not smart enough," "not attractive enough" or "not capable enough?"

As I say in the Thin, Fit Fabulous You Platinum Weight Loss System: If you keep telling yourself you can’t lose weight or that you hate exercise or that you have fat genes -- or whatever -- you will be RIGHT. Your subconscious mind will help you MAKE it so.

Remember that your subconscious mind has no critical thinking capacity. It accepts whatever you say – verbatim -- just like a young child. A friend once told me that she asked her young daughter to "Put Daddy's dinner plate  where he sits."  When they went to the table, the plate of food was on the father's CHAIR. 

That is how your brain takes instruction. There is no judgment, sense of humor, no understanding of the subtleties of language or wit.  It literally takes you at your word.  In my article on building a positive self image, you will discover the work of Dr. Emoto, who found in his well documented research that positive though can change the molecular structure of water -- which makes up about 60% of your body.

To improve self esteem, start by watching your language and listening to your own self talk.

Change Negative self talk

“To the degree that we look clearly and compassionately at ourselves, we feel confident and fearless about looking into someone else’s eyes” -- Pema Chodron

Most people who want to improve self esteem would never talk to their enemies the way they talk to themselves. They certainly wouldn't call their friends "stupid," "ugly" or worse... 

If you don't begin to treat yourself with courtesy, compassion and kindness, how can you expect others to treat you well?

Start to adopt an attitude of unconditional friendliness toward yourself. And work with your self talk-- and the environment you are in. Please review these pages for strategies and tips on how to do that:

• Positive power thinking
• How to think positive
• How to Stay Positive
• Tips for positive thinking
• How to be more positive
  

Replace negative self talk with positive affirmations for self esteem

How to use mistakes and Failure to improve self esteem

If you want to be good at something -- anything -- it usually takes practice. The better you want to be, the more practice it takes.

Many people who suffer from low self esteem forget the value of practice. Sometimes they make mistakes and have to do things over. Then, sadly, they confuse repetition with failure. How stupid is that? Use repetition and practice as a STRATEGY to get better at being the best version of you. Because, trust me on this, you will make mistakes. Lots of them. We all do. It's part of being human.

How we view things is simply a matter of perspective. The truth is that ANYTHING that happens to you could end up being the best thing that ever happened to you.  Most of the time, it is not so much about what you do, but your attitude -- that makes the difference.

No matter what has occurred in your life and no matter how many "failures" you think you have encountered, you can improve your self esteem by harnessing the power of mind.

If you feel down on yourself, you must reclaim your self-esteem. Start now because it is the key to your happiness and well-being.

how do you use the power of mind to improve self esteem?

What you focus on, you create. If you focus on your good qualities and stay centered in gratitude, you can't help but feel good.

Put the power of mind to work for you-- both consciously and subconsciously -- and make life work for you. You deserve it!

More About Building Confidence and Positive self Esteem

• Self Esteem Self Help: Finding the Real You
• Building Positive Self Esteem: The Role of Self Limiting Beliefs
• Building a Positive Self Image
• "Eyes of Love" Self Hypnosis Confidence Technique
• Positive Affirmations for Self Esteem: Do They Work?
• Improve Self Esteem with Positive Thoughts about Past Mistakes
• Positive Affirmations to Improve Self Esteem
• Self Confidence Hypnosis: Life Changing Results - Self Confidence and Happiness
• Develop a Healthy Response to Criticism

More About Positive Power Thinking

• Power of Positive Thinking
• 5 Powerful Auto Suggestion Techniques for Taking Control of Your Life
• Positive Power Thinking
• 7 Tips for Positive Thinking
• Subconscious Mind Programming
  
• How to Think Positive
• How to Stay Positive
  
• Building a Positive Self Image
• Building Positive Self Esteem and the Role of Beliefs

More about Affirmations

• Affirmations for Healing
• Affirmations for Weight Loss
  
• Affirmations for Stress Reduction
• Positive Affirmations for Money, Abundance, and Prosperity
  
• Financial Abundance Affirmations
  
• Affirmations for Self Esteem 
• Daily Positive Affirmations
• Auto Suggestion Techniques Can Change Your Life
• Auto Suggestions for Fear and Anxiety
  
• Auto Hypnosis, Training and Practice