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Look at yourself in the mirror. Take a good, long look. Do you like what you see?

If you don't you might have low self esteem. That's not a good thing.

But if you do - if you really do, to the point that you love yourself more than you love anybody else, then you have high self esteem. And that's not good either.

Self esteem is a delicate matter. People lacking in it similarly lack contentment with their lives. Nothing they do will make themselves happy. Every act, from choosing a partner to deciding what they should have for dinner, runs through a filter of doubt. They don't think their decisions are right, and consequently may second guess themselves - or make no decision at all. Such self doubt can lead to depression, shyness, anger, self-hatred and even bodily illness.

Conversely, people with an overabundance of self esteem are insufferable. Their egos make them feel infallible, leading to hasty decisions based on the assumption that they can do no wrong. Their social skills suffer, as they can talk about themselves without showing interest in others. They may miss out on a lot in life as they ignore the outside world.

The key is maintaining good self esteem - not bad, not great, but good - and doing a few things daily will ensure balance.

First, stay healthy. A bit of exercise each day keeps the mind fresh and vigorous, staving off depression.

Second, view mistakes made as learning opportunities rather than failures. Focus on solving the problem should it ever arise again, and don't dwell on what can't be change.

Third, ignore the negatives and emphasize the positives. If you start thinking poorly about yourself, counterbalance those thoughts with good elements. You may not be good at math, but that's OK because you're a good writer.

Fourth, experiment. Get out and try new things. You never know what talents you might discover in yourself.

Fifth, get involved in your community. Reach out to somebody else in need and make connections. People often don't know what they're capable of until somebody else tells them. The sense of satisfaction positive feedback provides is invaluable.

And, most importantly, have fun. Relax. Make friends, attend social events, find new hobbies and learn as much as you can about the world. Never forget that there's always more to discover.

Good self esteem makes for well-rounded individuals. Healthy relationships develop easily and friends come with little effort. It's easier to focus on projects, whether they're located in the home or at work.

Of paramount importance, however, is the emphasis on positive thinking. People with good self esteem can deal with their mistakes. They'll improve on what they did wrong or simply move on, rather than defer blame or accept it to the point of self hatred.

We're only human. We can err from time to time. It's important we handle our mistakes properly if we're to enjoy long, happy, healthy lives.

Learn more about this author, Matt Bird.
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