Ask Yourself

 

How's Your Self-Esteem?
By Dr. Bill Gaultiere

To assess your self-esteem simply ask yourself each of the following eleven questions.   Any questions that you can’t answer with, Yes, that’s true of me most of the time, indicate an example of where your self-esteem needs strengthening.  (This is a screening test only.  Accurate diagnoses of depression or another mental disorder requires in person diagnoses from health professional.)

1. Can you maintain good feelings about yourself even if someone criticizes you?

2. When you fail or do something wrong can you say you’re sorry and accept forgiveness or do you persist in feeling bad about yourself?

3. Can you offer a dissenting opinion to people you respect?

4. If you talked to one of your children or to your best friend the way you talk to yourself would they feel esteemed?

5. Do you say thank you when you’re complemented?

6. Do you avoid comparing yourself to others, thinking that you’re better than or less than they are?

7. When you've been hurt do you receive comfort from yourself and others instead of hiding your pain?

8. If your spouse, roommate, or someone you’re close to is in a bad mood do you maintain your own feelings of well-being anyway (without matching their mood)?

9. Do you know what your gifts and talents are and are you confident using them?

10. Can you say “good enough” about a project you’re working on instead of being perfectionistic?

11. Do you appreciate your strengths and work to improve your weaknesses instead of overlooking your strengths and feeling bad about your weaknesses?

 

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