In life, it's hard to stay tough specially when things and people around you keep pulling you down. When we get to the battle field, we should choose the right armors to use, and pick those that are bullet proof. Life's options give us arrays of more options. Along the battle, we will get hit and bruised. And wearing bullet proof armor ideally means ‘self change'. The kind of change which comes from within.

Sometimes, you may wonder if some people are born leaders or positive thinkers. NO. Being positive, and staying positive is a choice. Building self esteem and drawing lines for self improvement is a choice, not a rule or a talent.

So how do you stay calm, composed and maintain self esteem in a tough environment? Here are some tips you may to consider as a starter guide to self improvement.

Negative Work Environment

Beware of "dog eat dog" theory where everyone else is fighting just to get ahead. This is where non appreciative people usually thrive. No one will appreciate your contributions even if you miss lunch and dinner, and stay up late. Stay out of this. It will ruin your self esteem. Competition is at stake anywhere. Be healthy enough to compete, but in a healthy competition that is.

Other People's Behavior

Bulldozers, gossip mongers, whiners, back stabbers, snipers, people walking wounded, controllers, naggers, complainers, exploders, patronizes . . . all these kinds of people will pose bad vibes for your self esteem, as well as to your self improvement scheme.

Changing Environment

Changes challenge our paradigms. It tests our flexibility, adaptability and alters the way we think. Changes will make life difficult for awhile, it may cause stress but it will help us find ways to improve our selves. Change will be there forever. We must be susceptible to it.

Past Experience

It's okay to cry and say ouch, when we experience pain. But don't let pain transform itself into fear. It might grab you by the tail and swing you around. Treat each failure and mistake as a life lesson and building block.

Negative World View

Look at what you're looking at. Don't wrap yourself up with all the negative elements of the world. In building self esteem, we must learn how to make the best out of worst situations.

Determination Theory

The way you are and your behavioral traits are said to be a mixed end product of your inherited traits (genetics), your upbringing (psychic), and your environmental surroundings such as your spouse, the company, the economy or your circle of friends. You have your own identity. If your father is a failure, it doesn't mean you have to be a failure too. Learn from other people's experience, so you'll never have to encounter the same mistakes.

Self esteem brings about self improvement, true assessment, and determination. So how do you start putting up the building blocks of self esteem? Be positive. Be contented and happy. Be appreciative. Never miss an opportunity to compliment. Being positive in life will help you build self esteem, and be a starter guide to self improvement.

Morris Wren
www.shophealthandfitness.com