Self Esteem vs. Self Compassion
Self esteem seems to be a challenge for us all.
We all struggle with invasive thoughts about our performance in any arena, but the workplace tends to be one that everyone can relate to. Everyone experiences stress about their performance level, quality of work, and even how well-liked they are in the office.
At the end of the day, we all logically know that most of the time, we’re overthinking it. What’s worse is that if these thoughts are pervasive enough, they can begin to actually affect our work and how we interact with others, and it’s usually in a negative way. Stress tends to breed more stress.
So how can we snap out of the low self esteem cycle? Eric Barker shares some insight on how to do just this in his article here. He says it well himself:
Life can be hard. And who is usually hardest on you? Yourself. There’s that negative voice in your head criticizing you. And sometimes you can’t shut it up.
Barker’s approach isn’t necessarily to just boost your self esteem; he thinks that first you have to boost your self compassion, and then the self esteem will come after. Having self compassion means that you aren’t so hard on yourself when you make a mistake. After all, we’re all human and all of us make, and have made, many mistakes in our lifetimes. As Barker says:
Stop lying to yourself that you’re so awesome. Instead, focus on forgiving yourself when you’re not.
Because all of us are awesome in many ways, but none of us are 100% awesome. That’s because we’re human beings. Research has shown that when you have compassion for yourself and forgive yourself when mistakes are made, you’re way more likely to bounce back quicker, because you see yourself as human too.
Image retrieved from Pixabay under the public domain.
Recent Posts
Monday Mood Booster: Readjust
After last week, we anticipate you’ll need to readjust to the rhythms at your workplace that feel both old and new. Amidst this especially tumultuous recent period, you might be curious about how best to utilize any feelings of uncertainty that arose—about how those...
Feel Good Friday: Calm
Happy Friday! You’ve made it through every obstacle this week has thrown at you—and we know that this is a week that has felt much more like a marathon than a sprint. Given the adrenaline needed to make it through, you may find yourself encountering difficulties when...
Wednesday Wellness: Calm
Happy Hump Day! You’ve made it to the week’s midpoint—which is an accomplishment in and of itself. So take a moment to give yourself a pat on the back! And if you choose to do so literally, we won’t judge. With the many stressors the world throws our way these days,...
Finding Professional Calm in Body and Mind
Amidst these turbulent times, it’s easy to get stressed out and distracted. Which is why we want to provide you with tips and tricks to help keep that stress in check, allowing you to find moments of calm no matter what professional obstacles you find yourself up...
Monday Mood Booster: Calm
Welcome back! Amidst the unprecedented circumstances of our present times, we figure everyone could use an extra dose of calmness this week. A great way to establish a calm foundation is to recognize that change is a constant part of life, and that some of the changes...
Feel Good Friday: Cozy
Today, as part of this week’s focus on feeling cozy no matter your surroundings, we’re focusing on feeling comfortable as a new employee in any professional environment—though you can also apply these tips even if you’re remaining in the same company while taking on a...
Wednesday Wellness: Cozy
Welcome to the week’s midpoint! Today we’re considering “cozy” in terms of being comfortable with yourself. This will allow you to build up your confidence, which will enhance your workplace performance and enable you to feel equipped in seeking to make strides...
Achieving Workplace Comfort For Yourself And Others
Today we’re considering being cozy in your workplace in terms of not just adjusting and settling in but as maintaining a safe, comfortable environment for both yourself and others. Establishing appropriate professional boundaries is a key step in that process. This...
Monday Mood Booster: Cozy
Welcome back! With this week’s overcast skies and colder temperatures (and the time to change the clocks back approaching this weekend), autumn is definitely here. These are days to focus on getting comfortable—though not complacent. And we’re talking about cozy not...
Feel Good Friday: Present
During these unprecedented times, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the enormity of the unusual circumstances we’re facing. Which is why today we want to remind you again to take a moment to center yourself, to allow yourself to be fully present in your professional...
Staying Present In Your Professional Environment
Amidst an increasingly interconnected world, getting distracted at work is easy--after all, you have the Internet right at your fingertips, and your phone nearby as well. Which is why today we’re focusing on helping you to stay present in your professional...
Wednesday Wellness: Present
Happy Hump Day! While you’re here at the week’s mid-point, let yourself be mentally present in this moment rather than thinking about the days that have passed, or the days that are yet to come. Focus on your professional environment as is it, and on your interactions...
Finding Your Focus At Work
Especially now, with so much going on in the world, finding your focus at work can be difficult. If you’ve been newly working remotely, you might also find yourself faced with new sets of sounds, sights, and even smells that can throw off your workplace performance....
Monday Mood Booster: Present
Welcome back! We hope you had a wonderful weekend. This week we’ll be focusing on ways to stay in the present within any professional setting, and providing you with the tools to maintain mindfulness. This will help keep you on task, allowing you to better pay...