We are rational beings in full control of our destiny. If we accept this truth and take responsibility for it, we will naturally see ourselves in a good light.                   

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We are rational beings in full control of our destiny. If we accept this truth and take responsibility for it, we will naturally see ourselves in a good light.

If we fail to take responsibility for our life and actions, that estimation falls into danger.

If we fail to take responsibility for our life and actions, that estimation falls into danger.                   

That is the essence of the psychology of self-esteem.

That is the essence of the psychology of self-esteem.                   

Humans are different. Other animals may have consciousness, or at least awareness, but only humans require a conceptual framework by which to view themselves.

Humans are different. Other animals may have consciousness, or at least awareness, but only humans require a conceptual framework by which to view themselves.                   

Other animals can perceive green-colored objects, but only we have the idea of “green.” Dogs can perceive people, but only we have the concept of “humankind.” Only we can ask questions about the meaning of life.

Other animals can perceive green-colored objects, but only we have the idea of “green.” Dogs can perceive people, but only we have the concept of “humankind.” Only we can ask questions about the meaning of life.                   

Sigmund Freud saw humans as being manipulated by their instincts. BF Skinner saw us as a machine that responds to stimuli. Neither psychologist, Nathaniel Branden says, give humans credit for the powerful minds that give us self-awareness and the ability to reason.

Sigmund Freud saw humans as being manipulated by their instincts. BF Skinner saw us as a machine that responds to stimuli. Neither psychologist, Nathaniel Branden says, give humans credit for the powerful minds that give us self-awareness and the ability to reason.                   

Nathaniel Branden’s book The Psychology of Self-Esteem became a popular psychology classic. Branden was part of the circle of philosopher Ayn Rand.

Nathaniel Branden’s book The Psychology of Self-Esteem became a popular psychology classic. Branden was part of the circle of philosopher Ayn Rand.                   

Branden remembers Ayn Rand's remark: “The function of your stomach, lungs or heart is automatic; the function of your mind is not”.

Branden remembers Ayn Rand's remark: “The function of your stomach, lungs or heart is automatic; the function of your mind is not”.                   

We have the power to regulate and shape our own consciousness to achieve goals. No other animals are able to imagine, create, invent and construct things according to mental constructs and values.

We have the power to regulate and shape our own consciousness to achieve goals. No other animals are able to imagine, create, invent and construct things according to mental constructs and values.                   

Humans are created to think, and we must do so in order to esteem ourselves highly. By being passive or fearful or living or merely pleasure-seeking, we kill our greatest gift. The result is hatred of the self. To love ourselves, we must cherish our ability to think.

Humans are created to think, and we must do so in order to esteem ourselves highly. By being passive or fearful or living or merely pleasure-seeking, we kill our greatest gift. The result is hatred of the self. To love ourselves, we must cherish our ability to think.                   

Born to think and create

Have you ever been in the position where you know intellectually you should do something, but emotionally cannot bring yourself to do it?

Have you ever been in the position where you know intellectually you should do something, but emotionally cannot bring yourself to do it?                   

Psychological maturity, according to Nathaniel Branden, is the ability to think in terms of principles, not emotions. Psychological immaturity is being swamped by the moment and the emotion so you lose sight of the broader picture.

Psychological maturity, according to Nathaniel Branden, is the ability to think in terms of principles, not emotions. Psychological immaturity is being swamped by the moment and the emotion so you lose sight of the broader picture.                   

When thought and knowledge are sacrificed to feelings that cannot be justified rationally, the result is a subversion of your self-esteem.

When thought and knowledge are sacrificed to feelings that cannot be justified rationally, the result is a subversion of your self-esteem.                   

Only if you have a rational approach to your emotions can you be free of paralyzing self-doubt, depression and fear. This doesn’t mean becoming a robot or a cold person, but simply having the awareness that emotions must be contained within a larger personal life philosophy.

Only if you have a rational approach to your emotions can you be free of paralyzing self-doubt, depression and fear. This doesn’t mean becoming a robot or a cold person, but simply having the awareness that emotions must be contained within a larger personal life philosophy.                   

Neurosis is when you let your feelings dictate your thoughts and action. The person in command of their life, if you look carefully, lives according to reason.

Neurosis is when you let your feelings dictate your thoughts and action. The person in command of their life, if you look carefully, lives according to reason.                   

We think of happiness as an emotion, but it is one that stems from values that have been consciously chosen - we are happy when we achieve or fulfil what is most important to us. When we deny or erode those values, we suffer.

We think of happiness as an emotion, but it is one that stems from values that have been consciously chosen - we are happy when we achieve or fulfil what is most important to us. When we deny or erode those values, we suffer.                   

Anxiety tends to happen only “when a person has not done the thinking about an issue he should have.” When we sacrifice reason to our emotions, we lose trust in our own judgment.

Anxiety tends to happen only “when a person has not done the thinking about an issue he should have.” When we sacrifice reason to our emotions, we lose trust in our own judgment.                   

Physical pain is a mechanism designed for our bodily survival, but psychological pain also serves a biological purpose: when we feel anxiety, guilt or or are depressed, we are being told that our consciousness is in an unhealthy state.

Physical pain is a mechanism designed for our bodily survival, but psychological pain also serves a biological purpose: when we feel anxiety, guilt or or are depressed, we are being told that our consciousness is in an unhealthy state.                   

To correct it, we must reassert ourselves as individuals and assess our values, perhaps forming new ones.

To correct it, we must reassert ourselves as individuals and assess our values, perhaps forming new ones.                     

A person must have a belief that their way of coming to decisions is a good one, that they can effectively navigate their way through life. Psychological pain is designed to bring us back to that trust.

A person must have a belief that their way of coming to decisions is a good one, that they can effectively navigate their way through life. Psychological pain is designed to bring us back to that trust.                   

Emotional pain indicates philosophical malaise

People high in self-esteem are guided by objective facts. They have a good relationship with reality, and always seek to stay true to who they are.

People high in self-esteem are guided by objective facts. They have a good relationship with reality, and always seek to stay true to who they are.                   

Their opposite is the person who lives to satisfy the expectations, conditions and values of others. They want to be seen as “normal” at all costs, and will feel terrible if rejected by others.

Their opposite is the person who lives to satisfy the expectations, conditions and values of others. They want to be seen as “normal” at all costs, and will feel terrible if rejected by others.                   

This person will label his or her style of life as “practicality,” as if self-sacrifice was quite rational. But every step along this path leads them away from what is real and towards a loss of their true selves.

This person will label his or her style of life as “practicality,” as if self-sacrifice was quite rational. But every step along this path leads them away from what is real and towards a loss of their true selves.                   

Wise people understand that their self-esteem must be their highest concern. If high, it’s an indicator that they are doing the things that matter and making decisions that reflect their highest good.

Wise people understand that their self-esteem must be their highest concern. If high, it’s an indicator that they are doing the things that matter and making decisions that reflect their highest good.                   

Because they love themselves, they can also love and value others for who they are, but with less dependence.

Because they love themselves, they can also love and value others for who they are, but with less dependence.                   

According to the objectivist philosophy of Ayn Rand, “The achievement of his own happiness is man's highest moral purpose.” This does not mean a life of vacant pleasure-seeking or self-glorification, simply one lived according to self-determined values.

According to the objectivist philosophy of Ayn Rand, “The achievement of his own happiness is man's highest moral purpose.” This does not mean a life of vacant pleasure-seeking or self-glorification, simply one lived according to self-determined values.                   

When we compromise those values for the sake of others, the death of self-esteem surely follows.

When we compromise those values for the sake of others, the death of self-esteem surely follows.                   

Self-esteem is not a “feel good phenomenon.” Rather, it is a deep need that can't be satisfied by shallow means. The more decisions we make that reflect our highest good, the better we will naturally feel.

Self-esteem is not a “feel good phenomenon.” Rather, it is a deep need that can't be satisfied by shallow means. The more decisions we make that reflect our highest good, the better we will naturally feel.                   

If you are a very confident person and all is going well, these ideas may not mean much to you, but read The Psychology of Self-Esteem when faced with difficult choices in your life and it may be just what you need.

If you are a very confident person and all is going well, these ideas may not mean much to you, but read The Psychology of Self-Esteem when faced with difficult choices in your life and it may be just what you need.                    

Remember this: “There is no value-judgment more important to man – no factor more decisive in his psychological development and motivation – than the estimate he passes on himself.”

Remember this: “There is no value-judgment more important to man – no factor more decisive in his psychological development and motivation – than the estimate he passes on himself.”                   

How people with high self-esteem think

The Psychology of Self-Esteem

High Self-esteem Traits

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