“There isn’t a ruler, a yard stick, or a measuring tape in the entire world long enough to compute the strength and capabilities inside you.” -Paul J. Meyer (Paul James Meyer (1928 - 2009))
“You are wonderful. Valuable. Worthwhile. Lovable. Not because others think so. Self-worth comes from only one place: Self.” -Karen Salmansohn
“Have patience with all things but first with yourself. Never confuse your mistakes with your value as a human being. You are a perfectly valuable, creative, worthwhile person simply because you exist. And no amount of triumphs or tribulations can ever change that.” -Francis de Sales (1567 - 1622)
I’m Not Good Enough
I don’t speak well enough.
I’m not attractive enough.
I don’t dress well enough.
I’m not confident enough.
I’m not educated enough.
I’m not talented enough.
I’m not creative enough.
I’m not smart enough.
I’m not good enough.
Sound familiar?
by Author Unknown
“You are as good as any.” -Author Unknown
“Real people aren’t perfect. Perfect people aren’t real.” -Author Unknown
“It doesn’t matter what other people think of you. All that matters is what you think of you.” -Author Unknown
“Raise your hand if you’ve ever felt as though you’d rather hide in bed all day than face the people that make you feel small or powerless” -Diana Agron (Dianna Elise Agron (born 1986))
“Nothing builds self-esteem and self-confidence like accomplishment.” -Thomas Carlyle (1795 - 1881)
“Every achiever I have ever met says, ‘My life turned around when I began to believe in me.’” -Robert H. Schuller (Robert Harold Schuller (1926 - 2015))
Overhead: I compare myself to every person I ever see . . . and I lose every time.
“Do not undermine your worth by comparing yourself with others. It is because we are different that each of us is special.” -Author Unknown
“The only person you should ever compare yourself to is the person you were yesterday and the person you will be tomorrow.” -David Hugh Beaumont (born 1966)
“To establish true self-esteem we must concentrate on our successes and forget about the failures and the negatives in our lives.” -Denis Waitley (Denis Edwin Waitley, Senior (born 1933))
“Listen to your heart above all other voices.” -Marta Kagan
“Your chances of success in any undertaking can always be measured by your belief in yourself.” -Robert J. Collier (Robert Joseph Collier (1876 - 1918))
One way to improve your self-esteem is to tell clean funny jokes to people . . . no kidding, it really works! Practice until you can tell the jokes without making mistakes, even if you stutter or forget how the jokes go at first. And, on the Make Fun Of Life! Website, there are zillions of jokes and other funny stuff for you to tell to other people - but you cannot just post them on social media websites - you have to tell jokes to real people, face to face.
“The way to develop self-confidence is to do the thing you fear and get a record of successful experiences behind you.” -William Jennings Bryan (1860 - 1925)
“Always hold your head up, but be careful to keep your nose at a friendly level.” -Max L. Forman (Max Leon Forman (1909 - 1990))
“At age 20, we worry about what others think of us. At 40, we don’t care what they think of us. At 60, we discover they haven’t been thinking of us at all.” -Ann Landers (pseudonym of Esther Pauline ‘Eppie’ Lederer (1918 - 2002))
“You’ve no idea of what a poor opinion I have of myself - and how little I deserve it.” -W. S. Gilbert (William Schwenck Gilbert (1836 - 1911)): “Ruddigore” (1887), act I
Atelophobia (a-tel-o-pho-bia) is a persistent fear of never being good enough or a fear of an insurmountable personal imperfection. Often this fear can be rooted in the experience and upbringing we have had by others, such as families, neighborhoods, schools, relationships, friendships, and initial work experience. We may have to counter this effect by doing our own upbringing of ourselves and not allow other people to be the sole source of our own upbringing. We must raise ourselves.
“Millions of people would love to be you.” -Author Unknown
“The golden opportunity you are seeking is in yourself. It is not in your environment, it is not in luck or chance, or the help of others; it is in yourself alone.” -Orison S. Marden (Orison Swett Marden (1850 - 1924))
“Dear Lord, when feelings of insecurity and self-doubt creep into my heart, help me to see myself the way you do.” -Author Unknown
“Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit.” -e. e. cummings (Edward Estlin Cummings (1894 - 1962))
“If you believe in yourself, things are possible.” -Shannon MacMillan (Shannon Ann MacMillan (born 1974))
Overheard: I am really good at stuff until I find myself in a situation in which people are watching me do that stuff.
“Those with a high level of confidence may have as many or more weaknesses than those with low self-esteem. The difference is this: instead of dwelling on their handicaps, they compensate for them by dwelling on their strengths.” -Alan Loy McGinnis (1933 - 2005)
“You are wonderful. Valuable. Worthwhile. Lovable. Not because others think so. Self-worth comes from only one place: Self.” -Karen Salmansohn
“Have patience with all things but first with yourself. Never confuse your mistakes with your value as a human being. You are a perfectly valuable, creative, worthwhile person simply because you exist. And no amount of triumphs or tribulations can ever change that.” -Francis de Sales (1567 - 1622)
I’m Not Good Enough
I don’t speak well enough.
I’m not attractive enough.
I don’t dress well enough.
I’m not confident enough.
I’m not educated enough.
I’m not talented enough.
I’m not creative enough.
I’m not smart enough.
I’m not good enough.
Sound familiar?
by Author Unknown
“You are as good as any.” -Author Unknown
“Real people aren’t perfect. Perfect people aren’t real.” -Author Unknown
“It doesn’t matter what other people think of you. All that matters is what you think of you.” -Author Unknown
“Raise your hand if you’ve ever felt as though you’d rather hide in bed all day than face the people that make you feel small or powerless” -Diana Agron (Dianna Elise Agron (born 1986))
“Nothing builds self-esteem and self-confidence like accomplishment.” -Thomas Carlyle (1795 - 1881)
“Every achiever I have ever met says, ‘My life turned around when I began to believe in me.’” -Robert H. Schuller (Robert Harold Schuller (1926 - 2015))
Overhead: I compare myself to every person I ever see . . . and I lose every time.
“Do not undermine your worth by comparing yourself with others. It is because we are different that each of us is special.” -Author Unknown
“The only person you should ever compare yourself to is the person you were yesterday and the person you will be tomorrow.” -David Hugh Beaumont (born 1966)
“To establish true self-esteem we must concentrate on our successes and forget about the failures and the negatives in our lives.” -Denis Waitley (Denis Edwin Waitley, Senior (born 1933))
“Listen to your heart above all other voices.” -Marta Kagan
“Your chances of success in any undertaking can always be measured by your belief in yourself.” -Robert J. Collier (Robert Joseph Collier (1876 - 1918))
One way to improve your self-esteem is to tell clean funny jokes to people . . . no kidding, it really works! Practice until you can tell the jokes without making mistakes, even if you stutter or forget how the jokes go at first. And, on the Make Fun Of Life! Website, there are zillions of jokes and other funny stuff for you to tell to other people - but you cannot just post them on social media websites - you have to tell jokes to real people, face to face.
“The way to develop self-confidence is to do the thing you fear and get a record of successful experiences behind you.” -William Jennings Bryan (1860 - 1925)
“Always hold your head up, but be careful to keep your nose at a friendly level.” -Max L. Forman (Max Leon Forman (1909 - 1990))
“At age 20, we worry about what others think of us. At 40, we don’t care what they think of us. At 60, we discover they haven’t been thinking of us at all.” -Ann Landers (pseudonym of Esther Pauline ‘Eppie’ Lederer (1918 - 2002))
“You’ve no idea of what a poor opinion I have of myself - and how little I deserve it.” -W. S. Gilbert (William Schwenck Gilbert (1836 - 1911)): “Ruddigore” (1887), act I
Atelophobia (a-tel-o-pho-bia) is a persistent fear of never being good enough or a fear of an insurmountable personal imperfection. Often this fear can be rooted in the experience and upbringing we have had by others, such as families, neighborhoods, schools, relationships, friendships, and initial work experience. We may have to counter this effect by doing our own upbringing of ourselves and not allow other people to be the sole source of our own upbringing. We must raise ourselves.
“Millions of people would love to be you.” -Author Unknown
“The golden opportunity you are seeking is in yourself. It is not in your environment, it is not in luck or chance, or the help of others; it is in yourself alone.” -Orison S. Marden (Orison Swett Marden (1850 - 1924))
“Dear Lord, when feelings of insecurity and self-doubt creep into my heart, help me to see myself the way you do.” -Author Unknown
“Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity, wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience that reveals the human spirit.” -e. e. cummings (Edward Estlin Cummings (1894 - 1962))
“If you believe in yourself, things are possible.” -Shannon MacMillan (Shannon Ann MacMillan (born 1974))
Overheard: I am really good at stuff until I find myself in a situation in which people are watching me do that stuff.
“Those with a high level of confidence may have as many or more weaknesses than those with low self-esteem. The difference is this: instead of dwelling on their handicaps, they compensate for them by dwelling on their strengths.” -Alan Loy McGinnis (1933 - 2005)
Photo Credit: “Self Esteem Shop” by Dave Hogg from Royal Oak, Michigan, United States of America http://www.flickr.com/photos/96223849@N00/80044383. Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons.
Given the state of the world today, just about every neighborhood needs a Self-Esteem Shop. Website: www.SelfEsteemShop.com.
“Confident people are able to laugh at themselves.” -Author Unknown
“I have a problem with low self-esteem, which is really ridiculous when you consider how amazing I am.” -Author Unknown
Overheard: You can now worry less about what kind of person you are, because somewhere out there is a dog who thinks you are wonderful!
“Don’t listen to those who say, “It’s not done that way.” Maybe it’s not, but maybe you will. Don’t listen to those who say, “You’re taking too big a chance.” Michelangelo would have painted the Sistine floor, and it would surely be rubbed out by today. Most importantly, don’t listen when the little voice of fear inside of you rears its ugly head and says, “They’re all smarter than you out there. They’re more talented, they’re taller . . . prettier, luckier, and have connections . . .” I firmly believe that if you follow a path that interests you, not to the exclusion of love, sensitivity, and cooperation with others, but with the strength of conviction that you can move others by your own efforts, and do not make success or failure the criteria by which you live, the chances are you’ll be a person worthy of your own respect.” -Neil Simon (born 1927)
“Love not what you are, but what you may become.” -Miguel de Cervantes (Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (1547 - 1616))
“The foundation of lasting self-confidence and self-esteem is excellence, mastery of your work.” -Brian Tracy (born 1944)
“Have confidence that if you have done a little thing well, you can do a bigger thing well, too.” -David Storey (David Malcolm Storey (1933 - 2017))
“Self-confidence is the first requisite to great undertakings.” -Samuel Johnson (1709 - 1784)
“I am going to make it.” -You
“Your faith in yourself is all you will ever have. Don’t let anyone take it away from you ever.” -Holly Marie Combs (born 1973)
“Avoid negative people, for they are the greatest destroyers of self-confidence and self-esteem. Surround yourself with people who bring out the best in you.” -Author Unknown
“Why should we worry about what others think of us - do we have more confidence in their opinions than we do our own?” -Brigham Young (1801 - 1877)
“Your value doesn’t decrease based on someone’s inability to see your worth.” -Ted Rubin
“Our self-image, strongly held, essentially determines what we become.” -Maxwell Maltz (1899 - 1975)
“One of the great tragedies of life, it seems to me, is when a person classifies himself as someone who has no talents and gifts. When, in disgust or discouragement, we allow ourselves to reach depressive levels of despair because of our demeaning self-appraisal, it is a sad day for us and a sad day in the eyes of God. For us to conclude that we have no gifts when we judge ourselves by stature, intelligence, grade-point average, wealth, power, position, or external appearance is not only unfair but unreasonable.” -Marvin J. Ashton (Marvin Jeremy Ashton (1915 - 1994)): ‘There are Many Gifts’ published in “Ensign” (November 1987) magazine, page 20
“What you think of yourself is much more important than what others think of you.” -Lucius Annaeus Seneca (also known as Seneca the Younger or simply Seneca (3 B.C.E. - C.E. 65))
“Don’t define yourself by negatives.” -Author Unknown
“Put your future in good hands - your own.” -Author Unknown
“What you think of me is unimportant. What I think of myself is what matters.” -Robert T. Kiyosaki (Robert Toru Kiyosaki (born 1947))
“The best way to gain self-confidence is to do what you are afraid to do.” -Author Unknown
“Never bend your head. Hold it high. Look the world straight in the eye.” -Helen Keller (Helen Adams Keller (1880 - 1968))
“To establish true self-esteem we must concentrate on our successes and forget about the failures and the negatives in our lives.” -Denis Waitley (Denis Edwin Waitley, Senior (born 1933))
“Believe in yourself and you can do unbelievable things.” -Author Unknown
“Self-confidence can be learned, practiced, and mastered - just like any other skill. Once you master it, everything in your life will change for the better.” -Barrie Davenport at https://liveboldandbloom.com/
Ofttimes nothing profits more
Than self-esteem, grounded on just and right
Well manag’d.
-John Milton (1608 - 1674): “Paradise Lost” (1667; 1674), Book VIII, line 571
Also known, though possibly paraphrased, in the form:
“Nothing profits more than self-esteem, grounded on what is just and right.” -John Milton (1608 - 1674)
“You can’t let other people tell you who you are. You have to decide that for yourself.” -Author Unknown
“Confidence comes from being prepared.” -John Wooden (1910 - 2010)
“I am convinced all of humanity is born with more gifts than we know. Most are born geniuses and just get de-geniused rapidly.” -R. Buckminster Fuller (Richard Buckminster ‘Bucky’ Fuller (1895 - 1983))
“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” -Eleanor Roosevelt (Anna Eleanor ‘Eleanor’ Roosevelt (1884 - 1962))
“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.” -Nathaniel Branden (born 1930)
“Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt.” -William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616): “Measure for Measure” (1604)
“Confidence is that feeling by which the mind embarks on great and honorable courses with a sure hope and trust in itself.” -Marcus Tullius Cicero (also known as Tully or simply Cicero (106 B.C.E. - 43 B.C.E.))
“You are officially the world’s okayest person.” -Author Unknown
“All things splendid have been achieved by those who dared believe that something inside them was superior to circumstance.” -Bruce Barton (Bruce Fairchild Barton (1886 - 1967))
Overheard: I am going to be more assertive . . . if that’s okay with you?
“Trust yourself. Create the kind of self that you will be happy to live with all your life. Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.” -Golda Meir (1898 - 1978)
“Belief in oneself is one of the most important bricks in building any successful venture.” -Lydia M. Child (Lydia Marie Child (1802 - 1880))
“Good self-esteem does not happen overnight. You have to work at it. And that is completely okay.” -Author Unknown
“High above the noise and fear-mongering of critics and cynics softly speaks your true self.” -Mollie Marti
“To have an incredible increase in self-esteem, all you have to do is start doing some little something. You don’t have to do spectacularly dramatic things for self-esteem to start going off the scale. Just make a commitment to any easy discipline. Then another one and another one.” -Jim Rohn (Emanuel James ‘Jim’ Rohn (1930 - 2009))
“You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.” -Michael Jordan (born 1963)
“All that Adam had, all that Caesar could, you have and can do . . . Build, therefore, your own world.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 - 1882): “Nature” (1836)
“Low self-esteem can leave us afraid to try new things because we fear that we will fail. However, the challenge of self-esteem building is to embrace new things and to give yourself the opportunity to enjoy them, just because you deserve it. Taking up a new hobby can be a fantastic step towards overcoming low self-esteem. Spending time with like-minded people and enjoying an activity purely for fun, with no pressure, is a good way to feel better about yourself. You may even discover a hidden talent into the bargain!” -Author Unknown
“There are many wonderful things that will never be done if you do not do them.” -Charles D. Gill
“Don’t worry that you’re too much of one thing or not enough of another. You’re just the right amount of what you are, to be able to get started on all the things you want to do in life.” -David Hugh Beaumont (born 1966)
“I was always looking outside myself for strength and confidence but it comes from within. It is there all the time.” -Anna Freud (1895 - 1982)
This is MFOL! . . . don’t wait too long . . . start enjoying more of life now . . .
“Confident people are able to laugh at themselves.” -Author Unknown
“I have a problem with low self-esteem, which is really ridiculous when you consider how amazing I am.” -Author Unknown
Overheard: You can now worry less about what kind of person you are, because somewhere out there is a dog who thinks you are wonderful!
“Don’t listen to those who say, “It’s not done that way.” Maybe it’s not, but maybe you will. Don’t listen to those who say, “You’re taking too big a chance.” Michelangelo would have painted the Sistine floor, and it would surely be rubbed out by today. Most importantly, don’t listen when the little voice of fear inside of you rears its ugly head and says, “They’re all smarter than you out there. They’re more talented, they’re taller . . . prettier, luckier, and have connections . . .” I firmly believe that if you follow a path that interests you, not to the exclusion of love, sensitivity, and cooperation with others, but with the strength of conviction that you can move others by your own efforts, and do not make success or failure the criteria by which you live, the chances are you’ll be a person worthy of your own respect.” -Neil Simon (born 1927)
“Love not what you are, but what you may become.” -Miguel de Cervantes (Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra (1547 - 1616))
“The foundation of lasting self-confidence and self-esteem is excellence, mastery of your work.” -Brian Tracy (born 1944)
“Have confidence that if you have done a little thing well, you can do a bigger thing well, too.” -David Storey (David Malcolm Storey (1933 - 2017))
“Self-confidence is the first requisite to great undertakings.” -Samuel Johnson (1709 - 1784)
“I am going to make it.” -You
“Your faith in yourself is all you will ever have. Don’t let anyone take it away from you ever.” -Holly Marie Combs (born 1973)
“Avoid negative people, for they are the greatest destroyers of self-confidence and self-esteem. Surround yourself with people who bring out the best in you.” -Author Unknown
“Why should we worry about what others think of us - do we have more confidence in their opinions than we do our own?” -Brigham Young (1801 - 1877)
“Your value doesn’t decrease based on someone’s inability to see your worth.” -Ted Rubin
“Our self-image, strongly held, essentially determines what we become.” -Maxwell Maltz (1899 - 1975)
“One of the great tragedies of life, it seems to me, is when a person classifies himself as someone who has no talents and gifts. When, in disgust or discouragement, we allow ourselves to reach depressive levels of despair because of our demeaning self-appraisal, it is a sad day for us and a sad day in the eyes of God. For us to conclude that we have no gifts when we judge ourselves by stature, intelligence, grade-point average, wealth, power, position, or external appearance is not only unfair but unreasonable.” -Marvin J. Ashton (Marvin Jeremy Ashton (1915 - 1994)): ‘There are Many Gifts’ published in “Ensign” (November 1987) magazine, page 20
“What you think of yourself is much more important than what others think of you.” -Lucius Annaeus Seneca (also known as Seneca the Younger or simply Seneca (3 B.C.E. - C.E. 65))
“Don’t define yourself by negatives.” -Author Unknown
“Put your future in good hands - your own.” -Author Unknown
“What you think of me is unimportant. What I think of myself is what matters.” -Robert T. Kiyosaki (Robert Toru Kiyosaki (born 1947))
“The best way to gain self-confidence is to do what you are afraid to do.” -Author Unknown
“Never bend your head. Hold it high. Look the world straight in the eye.” -Helen Keller (Helen Adams Keller (1880 - 1968))
“To establish true self-esteem we must concentrate on our successes and forget about the failures and the negatives in our lives.” -Denis Waitley (Denis Edwin Waitley, Senior (born 1933))
“Believe in yourself and you can do unbelievable things.” -Author Unknown
“Self-confidence can be learned, practiced, and mastered - just like any other skill. Once you master it, everything in your life will change for the better.” -Barrie Davenport at https://liveboldandbloom.com/
Ofttimes nothing profits more
Than self-esteem, grounded on just and right
Well manag’d.
-John Milton (1608 - 1674): “Paradise Lost” (1667; 1674), Book VIII, line 571
Also known, though possibly paraphrased, in the form:
“Nothing profits more than self-esteem, grounded on what is just and right.” -John Milton (1608 - 1674)
“You can’t let other people tell you who you are. You have to decide that for yourself.” -Author Unknown
“Confidence comes from being prepared.” -John Wooden (1910 - 2010)
“I am convinced all of humanity is born with more gifts than we know. Most are born geniuses and just get de-geniused rapidly.” -R. Buckminster Fuller (Richard Buckminster ‘Bucky’ Fuller (1895 - 1983))
“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” -Eleanor Roosevelt (Anna Eleanor ‘Eleanor’ Roosevelt (1884 - 1962))
“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.” -Nathaniel Branden (born 1930)
“Our doubts are traitors, and make us lose the good we oft might win, by fearing to attempt.” -William Shakespeare (1564 - 1616): “Measure for Measure” (1604)
“Confidence is that feeling by which the mind embarks on great and honorable courses with a sure hope and trust in itself.” -Marcus Tullius Cicero (also known as Tully or simply Cicero (106 B.C.E. - 43 B.C.E.))
“You are officially the world’s okayest person.” -Author Unknown
“All things splendid have been achieved by those who dared believe that something inside them was superior to circumstance.” -Bruce Barton (Bruce Fairchild Barton (1886 - 1967))
Overheard: I am going to be more assertive . . . if that’s okay with you?
“Trust yourself. Create the kind of self that you will be happy to live with all your life. Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.” -Golda Meir (1898 - 1978)
“Belief in oneself is one of the most important bricks in building any successful venture.” -Lydia M. Child (Lydia Marie Child (1802 - 1880))
“Good self-esteem does not happen overnight. You have to work at it. And that is completely okay.” -Author Unknown
“High above the noise and fear-mongering of critics and cynics softly speaks your true self.” -Mollie Marti
“To have an incredible increase in self-esteem, all you have to do is start doing some little something. You don’t have to do spectacularly dramatic things for self-esteem to start going off the scale. Just make a commitment to any easy discipline. Then another one and another one.” -Jim Rohn (Emanuel James ‘Jim’ Rohn (1930 - 2009))
“You have to expect things of yourself before you can do them.” -Michael Jordan (born 1963)
“All that Adam had, all that Caesar could, you have and can do . . . Build, therefore, your own world.” -Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 - 1882): “Nature” (1836)
“Low self-esteem can leave us afraid to try new things because we fear that we will fail. However, the challenge of self-esteem building is to embrace new things and to give yourself the opportunity to enjoy them, just because you deserve it. Taking up a new hobby can be a fantastic step towards overcoming low self-esteem. Spending time with like-minded people and enjoying an activity purely for fun, with no pressure, is a good way to feel better about yourself. You may even discover a hidden talent into the bargain!” -Author Unknown
“There are many wonderful things that will never be done if you do not do them.” -Charles D. Gill
“Don’t worry that you’re too much of one thing or not enough of another. You’re just the right amount of what you are, to be able to get started on all the things you want to do in life.” -David Hugh Beaumont (born 1966)
“I was always looking outside myself for strength and confidence but it comes from within. It is there all the time.” -Anna Freud (1895 - 1982)
This is MFOL! . . . don’t wait too long . . . start enjoying more of life now . . .
