To some degree nearly everybody suffers from a lack of self confidence and low self esteem.  Some are better at masking it than others. We are not taught to love ourselves and think highly of ourselves. This is seen as conceit and sometimes even arrogance.

We are told not to blow our own trumpet.  We are told to down-play our own achievements.  And we are told that if we look after number one we are being selfish. Being selfish is a good thing. If selfish means we put ourselves first then we all need to become more selfish.

Many of us put more stock in what other people think and say about us, than we think and say about ourselves. How can someone else know you better than you know yourself?  Why do we give away our power to others, who may not have our best interests at heart?

Perhaps this lack of self belief comes from not trusting ourselves.  We are taught to ask our parents.  To ask our teachers.  To ask society.  This has not done us any favors and we are left with the inability to trust ourselves.

We are not taught to trust ourselves. We must learn ourselves and then actively practice trusting number one. The next time you find yourself thinking “I don’t know”, tell yourself that you do know and ask yourself the question again.

You do not need to seek someone else’s approval for everything you do. You do not need to ask everyone else first, before making up your mind so you can choose an action that matches the rest of society. Your first thought or your gut reaction is usually right.  Trust it.  Follow and honor it – and then see what happens.

You will likely be pleased with the results. When more and more people see you are not seeking out other’s approval they too will start looking within. The more you trust yourself, the more your self confidence and self esteem will grow!