Seminar participants often ask me what they can do to build their own self-esteem. It seems easier to build another person's self-esteem than affect their own! Today, I'd like to give you some pointers.

The most commonly accepted definition of self-esteem is our own estimation of our value or worth as human beings - and there is probably nothing more important when it comes to living a healthy, happy, productive life. But if you are aware that your self-esteem isn't what it could be, as a result of poor parenting or other early-life difficulties, what can you do about it?

Well, quite a bit, actually. You can work on your own awareness - your ability to think and live consciously - rather than going through life on autopilot. You can accept yourself exactly as you are right now, even if there are things you'd like to change, and stop calling yourself names! Stop running yourself down!

You can say what you mean, and mean what you say, and try at all times to be exactly who you really are, rather than acting out someone else's idea of who you should be and how you should behave. Living with a sense of purpose does wonders for your self-esteem too, as does living with integrity, which simpl means that your behavior is in line with your values and beliefs.

You can work on trusting yourself, on telling the truth, and on treating others with kindness, even when that is not easy. And, in word and deed, you can affirm the fact that you are a valuable and worthy person. If all this sounds like work, you're right. It is! But I can think of no work you will ever do, that will bring greater rewards, so keep at it!