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SELF ESTEEM REVIEW

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Self Esteem Review is published by David Rogers. It is only sent to
people who have opted in to receive it. Please make comments via my
blog at http://confident1.com or use the Contact form on that site.

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Welcome to the latest Self Esteem Review.
There seems to have been a burst of recent new subscribers, so a
special welcome to you all. My attempts to make this a more regular
newsletter have recently been thwarted by technological problems,
but hopefully I'm back on track.
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I've mentioned before the likes of Brian Tracy and Jim Rohn,
both highly regarded as "gurus" and leaders in the field of self
improvement and personal development. But I've yet to mention
Nathaniel Branden, viewed by many as the leading writer in the field
of self esteem.

Branden has been working on self esteem since the late 1950's, when the
expression was hardly used. Since the 1960's he has written numerous books
on the topic. During the 1980's & 90's, when suddenly self esteem became
"fashionable" he remained steadfast and criticized the over simplification
and misrepresentation of self esteem that followed.

I had read some of his earlier work but not what is currently viewed (he
is still writing!) his definitive work "6 Pillars of Self Esteem". Last week
I will do a proper review in due course. But as I'm a slow reader here, in
brief, are the 6 principles that he calls pillars:-

or do, even if we don't always like it. Facing our mistakes and learning
from them.

realizing that we are responsible for our choices and actions at every
level - the achievement of our goals, our happiness, our values.

values, and feelings - to stand up for ourselves. To speak and act from
our deepest convictions.

needs and goals. Facing facts that may be uncomfortable or threatening.
Refusing to wander through life in a self-induced fog.

of our strengths and weaknesses) and working to achieve them, rather
than living at the mercy of chance and outside forces.
Developing self-discipline.

standards and beliefs - acting in congruence with what we truly
believe is right.

Branden refers to these as internal sources of self esteem, and very much
believes we are capable of changing. Our self esteem isn't just shaped by
external factors in our early years - and then thats it (as some like to
believe).

If you want a taste of his work, try this article on assertiveness from
his website.  The sentence completion tasks appear his main focus of
helping his clients to change. Working on improving your self esteem is
never going to be an overnight fix, which Nathaniel Branden very much
recognizes.
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"There is overwhelming evidence that the higher the level of self-esteem,
the more likely one will be to treat others with respect, kindness,
and generosity."

"Productive achievement is a consequence and an expression of health
and self-esteem, not its cause."

"Your life is important. Honor it. Fight for your highest possibilities"

Nathaniel Branden


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Till next time, best wishes
David

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© Copyright 2009 David Rogers