[Lifeguard]

First off - you should know that I have spent a LOT of money & time on seeing a psychologist/counsellors in the past. I am always reading stuff trying to fix whatever the *%^# is wrong with me.

I am reading this book called "Self Esteem" by Matthew McKay & Patrick Fanning & it is like fireworks going off in my head!!! These guys have been in my head & know how I beat myself.

So... I am doing all the exercises exactly as written with a lot of introspection - even those I have done before (they seem to have better context now).

Maybe I'm just ready --- or maybe this book is really well written. Whichever - it would be great to have a positive self-esteem again!

[Monkeybabies]

I will have to check it out. Thanks for the recommendation! Good Luck with it.

[SnowboundChick]

I read this book while taking a Children's Self Esteem course for Early Childhoood Development. I haven't read it in a couple of years, so I think I will have to pick it up again. I love that book.

The 2 course I took on self esteem really helped me when I took them when I was around 22, eight years ago. I used to be so absolutely shy and introverted and this helped me a lot.

Another good one is Your Child' Self-Esteem by Dorothy Corkille Briggs - I found it had a lot of good points about raising confident children. I'm going to have to reread both!

Thanks for the reminder. I hope it helps others as well.

[Jen415]

Lifeguard: Can you give us an example of one of the exercises?

[Skyward]

I think I'll have to go take a look at this... it can't hurt

[Lifeguard]

Jen, I am only partway into the book right now but the exercise that has had such an impact on me so far was this (you'll need paper & pen & some alone time):

Step 1: Make a list of all your strengths in weaknesses in the following areas of your life: Physical appearance, Personality, Performance of Daily Tasks, Performance at School/Work, How Other People See You, Sexuality, How You Relate to Others, & Mental Functioning.

Step 2: Now move all the weaknesses to a new list & leave space between each. Rewrite each of these to exclude damaging, judging wording. You're not sugarcoating or making lies but changing from fat to weigh 280lbs. Be factual.

Step 3: Now move all the strengths to a new list & leave space between each. Also, review the new weaknesses list & move anything that could now be a strength onto this new list.

Step 4: Think of those people who you admire the most. Now make a list of all the things you like about these people. Review this & see if there are any that you can add to your strengths list from step 3. Now review your strengths list slowly & make anymore additions that come up.

Step 5: Rewrite each of your strengths as a full sentence. Remove any backhanded compliments & try to include factual information where applicable.

Step 6: Reread this beautiful list of strengths. Now write a thorough self-description from this list. Try to include a paragraph for each of the eight areas you started with in step 1. You should include areas you need to work on but these are not the focus of the description.

Step 7: Put this somewhere special & read it to yourself at least twice a day (I put mine in the bathroom).

Whew!!! I took me the better part of an evening but by the end I was already feeling better about myself. Make sure you keep reading it!!!

[Jen415]

Wow, that is a GREAT exercise! I will definitely have to hunt for that book!