Master Your Self-Worth: What It Is, Why It Matters & How to Build It

Do you feel comfortable being your true self? Are you confident in your abilities? How secure and balanced are your relationships with others? Your answer to these questions can give you  insight into your level of self-esteem, which is a core motivator and a fundamental aspect of psychological well-being. Self-esteem significantly influences our decision-making, the quality of relationships, and overall life satisfaction. It also determines how we respond to  personal and professional challenges, and  our ability to feel fulfilled and resilient, especially during difficult times. This blog explores the role of self-esteem in shaping our emotional well-being, relationships, and resilience, and offers practical ways to cultivate a healthier sense of self-worth.

What Is Self-Esteem?

In simple terms, self-esteem is a collection of beliefs about yourself that shape how you perceive and value yourself. Feeling confident, secure, capable, and having a sense of belonging are all key components of self-esteem. It’s the internal foundation that influences how you navigate the world, face challenges, and connect with others. Over the years, psychologists have explored self-esteem from various angles. It is seen as a core human need, a driver of behavior, and a key indicator of mental well-being. One of the most well-known theories that touches on self-esteem is Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, which places it as a crucial step toward self-actualization.
Self-Esteem in Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs
According to Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, your self-esteem is built on two important factors: a strong internal belief in yourself and the appreciation, recognition, and respect you receive from others. Both of these internal and external factors work together to form a solid foundation for your self-esteem, which can eventually help you reach your highest potential, creativity, and personal growth.
High vs. Low Self-Esteem
Self-esteem doesn’t look the same for everyone, and the way you respond to everyday situations often reveals how you truly feel about yourself. To understand the difference between high and low self-esteem, let’s consider a simple example:
Situation: You’re at work, and your boss gives you feedback on a project you’ve been working on.
Response #1: You receive the feedback with an open mind, appreciating the constructive criticism and feeling confident in your ability to improve. You don’t take the comments personally and view them as an opportunity for growth.
Response #2: You immediately feel defensive. You begin doubting your abilities, thinking you’re not good enough. Instead of focusing on improvement, you spiral into self-doubt, feeling stressed, overwhelmed, and stuck.
As you might guess, response #1 reflects high self-esteem—where you have a positive yet realistic view of yourself, allowing you to handle challenges with ease. In contrast, response #2 demonstrates low self-esteem, where you let a single instance define your worth and capabilities, ultimately limiting your growth potential.
Factors That Affect Self-Esteem
Your level of self-esteem can fluctuate throughout your life, influenced by your experiences and the effort you put into improving it. However, various factors such as early childhood experiences, genetics, and the impact of social media play a significant role in shaping self-esteem. Research suggests that children and adolescents raised with nurturing and supportive parenting styles tend to have higher self-esteem compared to those raised in neglectful or overly strict environments. Some of us, however, were born with or without it. A 2010 study found that genetic factors influencing personality traits like emotional stability, extraversion, and conscientiousness also impact self-esteem. Traits promoting emotional resilience and optimism are linked to higher self-esteem, while traits like neuroticism associated with anxiety and negative thinking) tend to correlate with lower self-esteem. Beyond genetics and upbringing, modern social influences play a significant role. Unrealistic beauty standards in the media and the constant comparison on social media platforms have been linked to lower self-esteem and body dissatisfaction, particularly among young girls. Understanding these influences can help you become more aware of the roots of your self-esteem and take intentional steps to nurture a healthier sense of self.

Why Self-Esteem Matters

No matter where you’re from or how old you are, having  high self-esteem has been proven to help form stronger social relationships, perform better in school and work, improve mental and physical health, and steer clear of antisocial behavior. Let’s take a look at what research says about how self-esteem shows up in different areas of life.
Impact on Mental Health
High self-esteem serves as a buffer against anxiety and depression by promoting a positive outlook on challenges, while low self-esteem, often associated with feelings of worthlessness, can contribute to the development of mental health issues like depression.
Impact on Relationships
When you feel good about yourself, you’re more likely to set boundaries, express your needs clearly, and build relationships based on mutual respect and trust. Low self-esteem, on the other hand, can lead to insecurity, people-pleasing, or dependence on others for validation. This often creates conflict, emotional strain, and difficulty maintaining healthy connections.
Impact on Career Success
Research shows that employees with higher self-esteem often demonstrate greater confidence in their abilities, which positively affects their productivity, decision-making, and ability to handle stress. Additionally, they are more likely to pursue leadership opportunities and engage in proactive behaviors that improve their work environment.
Impact on Decision-Making
High self-esteem enables individuals to make choices based on their values and long-term goals. They are more likely to trust their judgment and take calculated risks, which leads to better outcomes in both personal and professional settings. In contrast, individuals with low self-esteem may avoid making decisions due to fear of failure or rely heavily on external validation, leading to indecisiveness or poor choices. 
Impact on Resilience
Those with higher self-esteem tend to have greater emotional resources and are more likely to persist through challenges because they believe in their ability to succeed despite obstacles. This includes stronger coping skills, greater emotional awareness, and a more resilient mindset when dealing with stress or setbacks.

How to Improve Self-Esteem

Now that you understand the importance of self-esteem, here are some practical techniques to help you bridge the gap and live your best life:

• Start by being kind to yourself, especially during tough times. If you’re being overly critical, remind yourself to treat yourself with the same compassion you’d offer a loved one.
• When negative thoughts arise, question whether they’re based on facts. If not, reframe them into something more constructive that can actually help you.
• Though it can be difficult, try to stop comparing yourself to others. Focusing on your own growth rather than measuring it against someone else’s can lead to a more grounded and fulfilling sense of self.
• Increase your reliability by setting small goals and achieving them. For instance, if your goal is to get fit, start by walking 20 minutes a day. As this becomes a habit, you’ll feel a sense of pride in your progress.
• Know your limits and say no when necessary. Setting boundaries will prevent you from feeling overwhelmed.
• Practice self-care by engaging in activities that calm and refresh you. Remember, taking care of your physical and mental well-being is essential for maintaining strong self-esteem.

Healthy Self-Esteem Is Crucial to Live Your Best Life

From how we manage challenges and relationships to our performance at work and decision-making, self-esteem plays an important role in all aspects of our life. Taking conscious steps to improve it can lead to greater confidence, stronger relationships, personal growth, and overall success. At Shyro Health, we help both individuals and organizations unlock their full potential. Explore our resources on self-esteem and start building the confidence and resilience you need for a fulfilling life.