Robert M. Sherfield - The Everything Self-Esteem Book: Boost Your Confidence, Achieve Inner Strength, and Learn to Love Yourself

THE
EVERYTHING
SELF-ESTEEM
BOOK

Boost your confidence, achieve inner
strength, and learn to love yourself

Robert M. Sherfield, Ph.D.

Copyright 2004, F+W Publications, Inc.
All rights reserved. This book, or parts thereof, may not be reproduced
in any form without permission from the publisher; exceptions
are made for brief excerpts used in published reviews.

An Everything Series Book.
Everything and everything.com are registered trademarks of F+W Publications, Inc.

Published by Adams Media, an F+W Publications Company
57 Littlefield Street, Avon, MA 02322 U.S.A.
www.adamsmedia.com
ISBN 13: 978-1-58062-976-8
ISBN 10: 1-58062-976-8
e-ISBN13: 978-1-44052-269-7
Printed in the United States of America.

J I H G F

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Sherfield, Robert M.
The everything self-esteem book / Robert M. Sherfield.
p. cm.
(An everything series book)
ISBN: 1-58062-976-8
1. Self-esteem. 2. Self-actualization (Psychology)
I. Title. II. Series: Everything series.

BF697.5.S46 S52
158.1-dc22

2003017008

This publication is designed to provide accurate and authoritative information with regard to the subject matter covered. It is sold with the understanding that the publisher is not engaged in rendering legal, accounting, or other professional advice. If legal advice or other expert assistance is required, the services of a competent professional person should be sought.

From a Declaration of Principles jointly adopted by a Committee of the
American Bar Association and a Committee of Publishers and Associations

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The EVERYTHING Self-Esteem Book

Reader:

I ran away from home on a Monday. I left the South and ran to D.C., Dear to New York Cit y, and further north. Sadly, I did not find happiness or joy at any stop. I didnt find validation and I didnt find any place that made me feel any better about myself. Where is my happiness? I questioned. Why is no one here to rescue me? Why? Why? Why?

I did not have happiness in my heart, my work, my relationships, my traveled for days trying to lose didnt like me, and I life. I years to home, self-esteem or my years old. It took me twenty-seven I was twenty-seven me that myself. cannot run from ourselves. That trip taught realize that we running; its about stopping.

In this book, I share the advice and activities that have helped others, and me, over the years. I provide a framework so that you can begin yourwor k to better understand your worth, carve a path to your happiness, uncove r your purpose in life, and move toward an inner peace about the gifts and challenges bestowed on you as a human being.

All the best to you,

The EVERYTHING Series

Editorial

Production

Visit the entire Everything Series at everything.com

Dedication

To Rhonda Montgomery, Patricia Moody,Sande Johnson, and Nancy Forsyth

Acknowledgments

My earnest thanks to Barb Doyen of Doyen Literary Services,Karen MacDowall Jones, Steve Spearman, Brian Epps, Leo Borges,Tina Eliopulos, Todd Moffett, Lynn Forkos, Debi McCandrew, Bill Clayton,Meg Galliano, Dr. James Williamson, Dr. Charles Mosely, Dr. Don Smith,Dr. Robert Palinchak, and Dr. Ron Remington.

Contents

Top Ten Benefits of Having Healthy Self-Esteem

You are more secure in who you are and what you have to offer the world.

You are able to see the good in others and in the world around you.

You are able to move on from the past and experience joy in the present.

Your are able to overcome adversity and setbacks more easily.

You are able to forgive yourself and others.

You have a clear sense of your own values, worth, integrity, and character.

You take better care of your physical and mental health.

You are able to develop a positive philosophy of life and live by that philosophy.

You are more optimistic, happier, and able to give of yourself to others.

You are able to take responsibility for your own thoughts, actions, and indeed, your life.

Introduction

WELCOME! AND CONGRATULATIONS! It may have taken a great deal of courage to meander over to this book, but in the words of an ancient Chinese philosopher, The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. You are to be commended for taking that step. If you are reading these words because you feel a need to improve your self-esteem, you need to know that you are among the millions of people who suffer from self-doubt, fears of inadequacy, feelings of worthlessness, and unhealthy self-criticism. You are not alone in your journey. The EverythingSelf-Esteem Book is written to help you gain a new perspective on your life, your actions, your thoughts, and your personal success.

This book is about reflection, personal and professional goals, growth, renewal, and results. It is not a book for simply browsing through or just flipping through page after page. This is a book to be used, dog-eared, marked in, talked about, and used over and over. This book is about you and your journey. This book is about work! Changing the way that you look at yourself is not an easy task, but it is possible very possible.

Simply put, your search for healthier self-esteem is essential for your life. Yes, your life may depend on how well you think of yourself. Your self-esteem determines how well you treat yourself, how well you treat others, how you view the world, how you view yourself in the world, how you act in the world, and how you take care of your basic needs that are required for survival. The renowned psychologist Abraham Maslow identified a series of needs that exists in every living human being. Among those listed, in addition to your need for safety and love, are esteem needs. He suggested that until your basic needs of air, water, safety, love, and esteem, are met, you cant fulfill your needs for intellectual achievement, the appreciation of beauty, and self-actualization or fulfillment.