Higher self esteem is associated with a number of benefits, including higher overall happiness and more confidence in interactions with others.

If you hold yourself with greater self esteem, you’ll be more likable, more assertive in negotiations, and even more persuasive in discussions.

In other words, it’s incredibly valuable for both your personal and professional lives, and some people have suggested that it’s almost impossible to be happy without it.

So what does it take to build better self esteem?

4 Key Ways to Build Self Esteem:

1. A Better Physical Image.

Insecurities about your body or your physical image shouldn’t hold you back from feeling good about yourself, but at the same time, working on your physical image can help you feel more confident and more in control of your life.

These are some direct ways you can boost your self esteem by working on your physical image:

Health and fitness:

Consider working on your overall health and fitness.

Eating healthier foods, cutting back on junk food, and working out several times a week can make a major impact on how you look and feel.

You’ll be leaner and more athletic after just a few weeks, and on top of that, you’ll feel accomplished.

It’s a great way to shortcut the self esteem building process.

Your wardrobe and style:

You could also take a look at your wardrobe and overall style.

Are you in need of a fashion overhaul?

Could a new haircut or a few new outfits make you feel more confident about yourself?

Fashion and style are largely subjective, but there are some objectively superior choices here, such as making sure all your clothes fit you appropriately.

Cosmetic insecurities:

If you have any specific cosmetic insecurities, you could work on overcoming them.

For example, if you live in Canada like one of our editors and you’re feeling unconfident because of a few missing teeth in your smile, finding a place for getting dental implants in Seattle could potentially restore your smile back to normal.

We couldn’t recognize him when we saw him on a Zoom call, he was smiling for ear to ear.

2. Hard Work, Practice, and Success.

You’ll naturally feel more confident and good about yourself if you work harder and achieve more.

That doesn’t mean working 60 hours a week so you can make a lucrative income from a traditional job, your hard work can manifest in any number of ways.

For some people, working hard could be about volunteering a specific number of hours for local charitable organizations.

For others, it means practicing a hobby 20 hours a week until you feel like you’re a master of it.

The point is, you have to make an effort.

You have to set goals, work hard, and achieve those goals if you want a higher self esteem.

Once you have a growing list of accomplishments under your belt, the confidence will come naturally.

3. Introspective Kindness.

Many people suffer from low self esteem because of how they talk to themselves.

It’s sometimes very hard to change how you talk to yourself, and it always takes a long time, but there are actionable steps you can take:

Push back against insults and unkind comments:

The next time you catch yourself talking down to yourself internally, or insulting yourself for doing something silly, take a deep breath.

Recognize that this commentary is unproductive, and that you wouldn’t say this about anyone else who made this type of mistake.

Repeat positive things:

Instead, say something positive to yourself.

Focus on complimenting yourself for all the things you’ve done right and listing all the positive impacts you’ve made on the world around you.

Avoid comparisons:

As the old adage goes, “comparison is the thief of joy.”

No matter how successful you are or how happy you are, there’s bound to be at least some people who seem more successful and happier than you.

If you constantly compare yourself to others, you’ll never feel good about what you have and what you’ve done in your own life.

4. Social Improvements.

You can also make some social improvements to boost your self esteem.

Talk to more people:

The simple act of talking to people can make you feel better about yourself.

Plus, this is a great way to meet new friends and build better relationships.

Practice good posture:

Did you know how you hold yourself can have a massive impact on your level of confidence?

Pulling your shoulders back and keeping your back straight, while holding your head up can have a positive effect on your confidence.

Accept compliments:

When people compliment you, don’t reject or avoid them, simply accept them with a “thank you.”

Talk about your insecurities:

If you have people you trust in your life, open up about some of your insecurities.

Sometimes, just talking about them with someone else can make them melt away.

You can’t go from having no self esteem to having incredible self esteem overnight. But with these strategies, you can make incremental improvements that can ultimately improve your quality of life.