Module 5.2: Self Esteem - Checklists and Exercise

Self Esteem Checklist 1

1. Do you find yourself bragging, or exaggerating the importance of your role?
Almost Always [  ] Often [  ] Rarely [  ] Never [  ]

2. Are you jealous of the possessions, opportunities, or positions of others?
Almost Always [  ] Often [  ] Rarely [  ] Never [  ]

3. Do you find yourself judging your behavior by other people's standards or expectations rather than you own?
Almost Always [  ] Often [  ] Rarely [  ] Never [  ]

4. Are you possessive in your relationships with friends and/or family members?
Almost Always [  ] Often [  ] Rarely [  ] Never [  ]

5. Is it difficult for you to acknowledge your own mistakes?
Almost Always [  ] Often [  ] Rarely [  ] Never [  ]

6. Do you resort to bullying and intimidation in your dealings with others?
Almost Always [  ] Often [  ] Rarely [  ] Never [  ]

7. Do you "put people down" do that you can feel "one up"?
Almost Always [  ] Often [  ] Rarely [  ] Never [  ]

8. Are you a perfectionist?
Almost Always [  ] Often [  ] Rarely [  ] Never [  ]

9. Must you be a "winner" in recreational activities in order to have fun?
Almost Always [  ] Often [  ] Rarely [  ] Never [  ]

10. When faced with new opportunities do you feel inadequate or insecure?
Almost Always [  ] Often [  ] Rarely [  ] Never [  ]

11. Do you have difficulty accepting compliments?
Almost Always [  ] Often [  ] Rarely [  ] Never [  ]

12. Do you refrain from expressing your feelings and opinions?
Almost Always [  ] Often [  ] Rarely [  ] Never [  ]

13. Do you shy away from trying new things for fear of failure or looking dumb?
Almost Always [  ] Often [  ] Rarely [  ] Never [  ]

14. Do you neglect your own needs in order to respond to the needs of others?
Almost Always [  ] Often [  ] Rarely [  ] Never [  ]

"Almost Always" or "Often" answers to any of these questions may indicate that your level of self esteem  needs attention.

Self Esteem Checklist 2

1. Do you criticize yourself for mistakes?

2. Do you overlook your accomplishments and doubt compliments?

3. Do you worry about what others might think?

4. Do you find feelings difficult to express and handle?

5. Do you feel anxious in social situations?

6. Do you think about everyone else's needs before your own?

7. Do you blame yourself when someone is unfair or hurtful?

8. Do you think that anything less than perfect is not good enough?

9. Do you avoid trying new things?

10. Do you worry about your appearance?

If you answered "yes" to some or all of these ten questions, it's time to recharge or strengthen your self esteem. It's normal for self esteem to fluctuate depending on challenges you are facing at the time, but if you're down more than up, there are solutions.

Healthy Self Esteem is Not About Perfection

When self esteem is low, it doesn't mean we are failures.. far from it. Many very successful people experience self doubt from time to time.

Whatever the reasons for self esteem being low, people tell us that when they learn to give themselves approval from within, and develop some new coping skills, their stress level goes way down and their energy goes up!

Positive Focus

To help you focus on a Positive Mental Attitude, use your imagination to "picture" each of these positive images and draw or describe them, or both.

- Picture a time or situation when you felt proud of yourself.
- Picture one positive thing you do well.
- Picture one of your roles or responsibilities in which you feel positive.
- Picture one positive way you stay healthy or take care of your body.
- Picture one positive characteristic you like best about yourself.
- Picture one positive way you communicate or relate to others.
- Picture one positive way you stay young at heart.
- Picture one positive way you cope with stress.
- Picture one way you can help yourself stay positive.