
ATTORNEY, SPEAKER, & AUTHOR
Francine D. Ward

The Esteemable Acts® Approach
The Esteemable Acts® approach offers a new way to think about self-esteem. It challenges the myth that all you need to do is stand in front of a mirror, chant affirmations, or complete a 7, 30, or 60-day program. Instead, it teaches that real self-esteem doesn’t come from quick fixes or slogans—it comes from action. Specifically, from taking consistent, often uncomfortable, affirmative steps that align with the person you want to be.
Core Principles of Esteemable Acts
Self-esteem is not something you acquire—it’s something you practice into being.
1. It’s not a quick fix.
Self-esteem requires effort. The results you get depend directly on the work you’re willing to put in.
2. Self-esteem is not the same as confidence.
Confidence, success, and outward assurance don’t guarantee that you like who you are. Many accomplished people still mistreat others or need to put others down to feel worthy. Confidence can play a role, but it’s not the foundation.
3. Self-esteem is not the destination.
It’s the byproduct of living a courageous, purposeful, service-driven life. The “destination” is just a milestone—it’s the lessons and growth along the way that shape who you are and how you treat others.
4. Esteemable Acts build self-esteem.
You can’t think your way into right living—you must act your way into right thinking. When your behavior reflects your values, you naturally feel better about yourself and more mindful of how you treat others.
5. Courage grows self-esteem.
Every time you walk through fear, tackle a challenge, or complete a task you doubted you could handle, you reinforce your own worth.
ESTEEMABLE ACTS® BLOG
Personal Inventory
It’s an esteemable act to see yourself clearly. It’s easy to be grateful when you receive compliments because they validate who we are and who we want to be. Positive feedback feels good. And some people believe we should only be given encouraging, appreciative...
Learn a New Skill
It’s an esteemable act to have the courage to learn something new. Have you ever avoided doing something because it was too hard or too scary? Have you ever not learned a new skill because you were afraid you’d make a mistake or just look silly? If you’re like most of...
Courage to Risk Failure
Self-esteem comes from having the courage to risk failure. I’ve failed at many things in my life: driver’s tests, school exams, relationships. Yes, indeed, I missed the mark more often than I care to admit. I started fad diets and self-help programs and rarely got the...
ESTEEMABLE ACTS® RESOURCES

Francine D. Ward is the author of a life-changing book titled Esteemable Acts – 10 Actions for Building Real Self-Esteem. This is a must-read for anyone ready to have a better life. Based on the principles that led to Francine’s remarkable recovery from drug addiction, alcoholism, and low self-esteem. While many think self-esteem is all about having the right job, the right boyfriend (or girlfriend), or living in the right neighborhood, Francine demonstrates how self-esteem is all about how you behave. She says, “Believe it or not, your behavior determines your feelings about YOU!”

Francine knows how to turn around the struggle with low self-esteem – not with drugs or other chemicals – but with consistent, small, manageable, daily actions she calls esteemable acts.
When you read Esteemable Acts, you will learn how to break down significant, scary actions into small, doable steps to build your self-esteem and live the life of your dreams! Hardcover Edition.
As the years have passed, Francine’s look has changed, her thinking has changed, and her life condition has changed. What has not changed is her powerful message of hope. Her ability to dig deep into our souls and have us relate—regardless of who we are—is a testament to the power of her honesty and authenticity. As a young woman, her riveting rags to riches story inspired us. Now as a mature woman who has experienced many of life’s challenges, her story is more compelling. In her own words, Francine says:
At 18, I thought I was invincible.
Yet at 25, I didn’t think I’d live to see 26.
By the time I turned 30, I was in the middle of a significant life change.
Then by 40, I was living my dream.
At 50, I couldn’t believe how awesome I felt. 50 rocked!
Then I hit 60, and I felt my life was over. I cried for days and weeks at the thought of being old. I was probably watching way too many television shows with 60-year-old people in rocking chairs.
By 61, I started to appreciate the gift of a long life.
Now at 71, I am living and loving every fabulous moment of it.
Life is not a destination, it’s a journey. The power of the journey depends on our attitude. The true test of a successful person is their willingness to weather life’s “inevitable” storms. Everyone has their turn in the barrel. Aging is one of life’s storms. Loss is one of life’s storms. An unexpected experience, like a pandemic, is a life storm. If we are lucky, we GET to experience all with room to spare. I speak from experience.