What does behavior have to do with self-esteem?
Everything. Self-esteem comes from DOING Esteemable Acts–one baby step at a time!
Many people say, “Behavior does not define the person”. But I ask, if not your actions, then what defines who you are? If a person cannot be judged by how they behave—how they show up in the world—then how else should we judge them?
One of my mentors left a powerful legacy when he said, “We judge ourselves by our intentions, but the world judges us by our actions”. Then recently I found this wonderful piece that says it all for me:
Your Destiny
“Watch your thoughts; they become your words.
Watch your words; they become your actions.
Watch your actions; they become your character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.”
Self-esteem comes from DOING Esteemable Acts, and it’s an Esteemable Act to be conscious of your actions. Think about it like this – if you behave authentically, you’ll stay true to your values and be able to set realistic expectations for yourself and for others.
Behaving authentically means that you’re not afraid of the truth. Embrace the truth, embrace the hard thing – that’s the only way to overcome the hard thing. When we can look at a problem and determine that we cannot solve that problem on our own, we are then ready to find alternative solutions. Pretending that the mountain is not there leads to destructive behavior that denies the truth. Accept the mountain, and behave accordingly.
Take a look at your actions and ask yourself if you are facing reality. If you’re not – it’s never too late for a new beginning. Accept the hard thing, do the next RIGHT thing, and let your behavior change your world.
Francine D. Ward
Attorney-at-Law, Author, Speaker
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Don’t miss Francine’s Latest Blogs:
- Financial FreedomFINANCIAL FREEDOM. This quarter we are looking at health and finances. Don’t forget to download your Health and Finance Worksheet as part of the Esteemable Acts® Vision and Values series.… Read more: Financial Freedom
- Does your phone own you?Does your phone own you? First mine didn’t, then it did, and now I am working to take back my power by protecting my boundaries. I was raised back in the day… Read more: Does your phone own you?
- How to practice self-loveChoose YOU! How to practice self-love is giving yourself permission to choose you. The moment you start choosing yourself after a lifetime of pleasing others, some people will push back.… Read more: How to practice self-love
- BoundariesHow to set boundaries. Boundaries are at the core of how you show up in your relationships. Most of us have been taught that to say “NO” is an act… Read more: Boundaries
- Love is an ActionLove IS an Action. Love is an Action.How often do we say, “I love you,” “I love my friends,” or “Family is the most important thing in my life”? And… Read more: Love is an Action
Don’t miss Francine’s Latest Blogs:
- Financial FreedomFINANCIAL FREEDOM. This quarter we are looking at health and finances. Don’t forget to download your Health and Finance Worksheet as part of the Esteemable Acts® Vision and Values series.… Read more: Financial Freedom
- Does your phone own you?Does your phone own you? First mine didn’t, then it did, and now I am working to take back my power by protecting my boundaries. I was raised back in the day… Read more: Does your phone own you?
- How to practice self-loveChoose YOU! How to practice self-love is giving yourself permission to choose you. The moment you start choosing yourself after a lifetime of pleasing others, some people will push back.… Read more: How to practice self-love
- BoundariesHow to set boundaries. Boundaries are at the core of how you show up in your relationships. Most of us have been taught that to say “NO” is an act… Read more: Boundaries
- Love is an ActionLove IS an Action. Love is an Action.How often do we say, “I love you,” “I love my friends,” or “Family is the most important thing in my life”? And… Read more: Love is an Action