Self-Esteem Equity: What Is It? Why Is It Important?
I’m sure at some point in your life, you have heard people say, “Count the small victories in life“. I am also sure that at some point in time, you have heard the term equity. The term equity has many definitions. For our purposes, I will use the definition of equity as it pertains to a home mortgage. In this regard, equity can be looked at as the part of the home you actually own, that is, the part you have PAID into. Every time you make a mortgage payment, you are building equity or increasing the amount of your home that you own. Every mortgage payment you make gets you closer to the goal of total ownership of your home. The more you PAY INTO IT, THE MORE YOU OWN.
How Does Home Equity Relate to Self Esteem Equity
Similarly to making those payments on your home to increase the home value, when you build self-esteem equity, you are actively paying into your overall confidence as a man. How do you do this?
- Exercise regularly. Depending on who you ask, the frequency can change. Hell, if it’s just one time a week, that’s better than nothing. The point is to create something that you can commit to. Be realistic. I have never known a person who has felt bad after a workout. Exercise boosts the release of dopamine, which is a very important part of good mental and physical health
- Learn to Say NO. The more you learn to NOT be a people pleaser the more you will retain energy (sometimes finances) to accomplish your own goals. Stop being a “yes” for everyone. It’s okay to analyze a situation or request and say, “what is in this for me”? How does this help me grow as person? Doing this also build up your esteem equity. It makes your yes mean more.
- Learn to Fight. I’m not talking about beating up on your brother. I’m talking about being able to feel confident that you can defend yourself against almost any close-quarter combat situation. This can be in a form of boxing, wrestling, or a martial art. Doing this actually address tip one in that you will be physically fit when you learn how to defend yourself. Knowing how to defend yourself or loved ones is probably the single best way to build self-esteem equity.
- Become knowledgeable of how to generate money outside of a 9-5. Another huge self-esteem booster is knowing how to create income for yourself or your family beyond a 9-to-5 job. This will give you the confidence to know that even if a job decides to let you go, you can still make money. That’s an incredible feeling.
- Do Something that You Are Afraid of. This could be doing a performance in front of a crowd. Getting on a roller coaster you have always been afraid of. Standing up to a boss, a friend, a loved one? Are you in a dead-end career or one that is unfulfilling? Maybe take that course at the local college you keep putting off?
The point is to always be in a state where you are earning respect within. It’s you versus you. You are either building yourself up towards a better “you” or not. It may even be helpful to keep a spreadsheet or write down your accomplishments, no matter how small, so to keep track.
Choose today to be the best you.