Self-Esteem For Dummies
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Negative thoughts you have about yourself reflect your feelings about yourself. But realize that these are just your feelings — they’re not the actual truth. Most people began to have these feelings and thoughts in childhood. As an adult, you’re ready to understand that they’re not necessarily an accurate picture of reality and that you can change them into more positive thoughts. These are the methods your mind uses to deceive you into believing you have little worth:

  • Reading other people’s thoughts to put yourself down

  • Predicting a negative outcome will be inevitable

  • Thinking only in extremes — “always,” “everyone,” “never,” “forever”

  • Blaming yourself for things that aren’t your fault

  • Labeling yourself in a derogatory fashion — “loser,” “failure,” “ugly”

  • Focusing only on the negative and disregarding the positive

  • Telling yourself you “should,” “ought to,” “have to” do or be something

About This Article

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About the book authors:

S. Renee Smith is a renowned self-esteem and branding expert, speaker, author, and resource to the media. Her expertise in personal and professional development and ability to inspire others to make positive, permanent changes has made her a sought-after consultant and speaker to Fortune 500 corporations, universities, government and nonprofit agencies, and churches. Vivian Harte has taught assertiveness skills online to over 10,000 students worldwide. She has 14 years of experience teaching in the classroom at Pima Community College and the University of Phoenix. She also hosted her own radio and television shows for many years in Colorado Springs, Minneapolis, and Tucson.

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