Go and stand in front of a mirror. What kind of image do you see? Do you see yourself as a confident, healthy, pleasing person? Do you love yourself? Do you accept yourself fully with all your plus and minus points? Are you happy with your self image? If you are not, it means you do not have adequate self-esteem (self-respect).

Besides good health and other basic needs of life, self-esteem is a requisite to keep you happy. Self-esteem is also important for maintaining good mental health. It is one of the major ingredients in the formula for success.

When self-esteem is very low, it is difficult for you to achieve success. This is because you waste a lot of time worrying about what people think of you, worrying about your real or imaginary weaknesses, the mistakes committed in the past and what future has in store for you. The time wasted in worrying could have been better utilized on studies or on equipping yourself with more information and training, to do better in sports, debates, singing, swimming or whatever work you have on hand. When your self-esteem is poor you will not be able to even communicate with your fellow beings.

You may be good-looking, born with a silver spoon in your mouth, talented and possess variety of skills. But, if you don’t value yourself, it will be reflected in your behavior and in turn others will also underestimate you. It’s not their fault really. How can you expect others to value yourself, when you yourself don’t? Your other counterparts may not be as talented or as skillful as you are. But they will definitely score over you if they have a better self-image compared to you.

The moment you develop a better self image, you will be surprised to note the changes. If you are a student, your academic performance & performance in extracurricular activities will improve. If you are employed, you will perform much better in your job and rise high on the corporate ladder.

A person, who has the treasure of self-esteem, moves ahead. In addition, he/she can easily adjust to all kinds of people and situations, can relax, trust, help and appreciate others easily.

So go and hunt for that treasure of self-esteem. It is within you only.