YOU NEED ONLY look at the high fliers in an organisation to realise that achievement and high self-esteem go hand in hand.
The go-getters often make it by having the courage to do the difficult things and by not holding back.
In contrast, those with limited self-confidence often settle for less and set their sights lower than they should. By seeming unsure, they find it harder to gain the trust and support of the powers that be.
But developing faith in oneself can be a challenge. It is one thing to know the importance of being more confident, but quite another to make it happen. In particular, if things have gone terribly wrong, how can you maintain self-esteem and ensure that your sense of assurance doesn't hit rock bottom?
The answer lies in changing the way you deal with challenges and adversity. Confident people are certain of their ability to cope, no matter what is going on. Faced with difficulties, they believe they can turn things around and, rather than dwelling on failures, learn the skills and behaviour that lead to success. Of course, such individuals are not immune to the pain of rejection or disappointment, but they know how to get over it without expecting reassurance from others or letting it affect their future performance.
The lesson is to develop resilience and not rely on external factors to boost your self-esteem. It is always nice to be praised by the boss, or to win a prestigious industry award. If you always depend on others to boost your morale, you limit your potential and ability to decide your future. Deep-seated confidence comes from two things: knowing you are in control and learning from experience that it is possible to achieve anything you want.