Page 41 - Essence - 8

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SELF
7 7 SELF--ESTEEM & LIFEESTEEM & LIFE S S
ACHIEVEMENTS
ACHIEVEMENTS

''When you accep
''When you accept yourself, you are freed from the burden of needing others to t yourself, you are freed from the burden of needing others to
accep
accept you. Don't allow anyone or anything to control, limit, repress, or discourage t you. Don't allow anyone or anything to control, limit, repress, or discourage
—Steve Maraboli
you from being your true self!”
you from being your true self!” —Steve Maraboli
Beauty is much more than flawless skin and perfect physique. High self-esteem is essential
to kill skinny or fat talk and understand that beauty is deep within. Self-esteem is the
degree to which someone feels satisfied with themselves and feels valuable and worthy

of respect. Perceived competence is a belief that one has skills in a particular area (e.g.
Maths, spellings, peer relationships). Self-esteem and perceived competence are necessary
for students to take risks in their learning and to bounce back after failure or adversity.

Low self-esteem or lack of confidence leaves you doubting your ability to succeed, making
you hesitant to engage in learning or take appropriate academic growth risks. Self-esteem

is often built and buttressed through estimable acts and achievements—even small ones.

Story Corner

Appu, a smart boy liked to play baseball. He had great
self-esteem and never gave up on things. One day while
playing, he proudly said, “I’m the greatest baseball player

in the world.” He then tossed the ball in the air, swung,
and missed.

Undaunted, he picked up the ball, threw it into the air
and said to himself, “I’m the greatest player ever!” He

swung at the ball again and missed this time, too.

He paused to examine the bat and the ball carefully.
Then once again he threw the ball into the air and said
“I’m the greatest baseball player who ever lived.” He

swung the bat hard and again he missed the ball.

“Wow!” he exclaimed, “What a pitcher!” He didn’t beat
himself up over the things that weren’t going right. He

looked on the brighter side and appreciated his strengths. He found the positive in the
situation, and didn’t allow his self-esteem to be damaged by failure.

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