According to Lois Frankel, Ph.D., president of Corporate Coaching International and author of the bestselling Nice Girls Don't Get The Corner Office, “People with low self-esteem often try to remain under the radar screen because they don't want to be noticed, but especially in this economy, that is the wrong thing to do.” Eight Ways To Banish Low Self-Esteem For Good What's worse, low self-esteem may mask positive traits in an individual. “We make assumptions about people who exhibit behaviors of low self-esteem,” says Frankel. “We may ascribe lower intelligence, even though that's not true.” Signs of Low Self-Esteem Frankel identifies certain traits in individuals with low work self-esteem: Generally, they are people with low confidence who are risk-averse. They are less likely to speak up in meetings or to take on challenging tasks, which can lead superiors to believe they are ineffective. None of which is good when you're fighting to stay afloat in a competitive work environment. Low self-esteem may also manifest itself through body language and presentation. Sharon Fountain, president of the National Association for Self Esteem, points to “uptalk” as a particular culprit. That is, saying all of your statements as though they are questions, which makes you seem less confident. Speaking too quietly, which denotes fear, and not making enough gestures to emphasize points and convey energy can also betray you in important work settings, especially when it comes to landing the job. Effects of Low Self-Esteem These subconscious behaviors may evolve out of a fear of rejection, but they actually have the effect of being deal breakers during an interview. It's a double-edged sword, explains Nathaniel Branden a California-based psychologist and pioneer in the field of self-esteem, since “the fear of being rejected leads to ... behaviors that ensure your fears come true.” In fact, one of the most dangerous behaviors that people with low self-esteem tend to exhibit is pessimism. A person with low self-esteem may ask for a raise this way: “I realize we've had a bad year and there have been layoffs, but I've been doing more work and I think I deserve a raise.” “You just gave [your superior] ammunition to say no,” Frankel says. Instead of highlighting the negative, Frankel advises a positive approach backed up by hard-core evidence: Try something like, “In the past 12 months, I've taken on 25% more responsibility and have been working more hours and I think I deserve to be compensated.” “Now you haven't set yourself up to fail,” Frankel says. Banishing Low Self-Esteem for Good Unfortunately, we're fighting a losing battle. In the past decade work has gone from being a source for self-esteem to being a self-esteem drainer. Demand for productivity has grown so much that most of us feel as if we aren't doing enough, no matter how much we actually accomplish. But there are things you can do to boost your self-esteem anyway. Frankel goes by the adage, “fake it until you make it.” This will not only convince your superiors, but it will also help you rejigger your thought processes. Changing less-than-ideal-behaviors, like a propensity to stay mum in meetings, is another good idea: The first two to three people to speak during a meeting are seen as more self-confident, says Frankel, and "in business, that pays off." Fountain emphasizes that self-esteem can be learned. It may sound silly, but positive self-talk can be empowering. So when those negative thoughts telling you you're not good enough pop into your head, recognize them and replace them with positive ones. “What you're doing is working with the unconscious mind,” she explains, “which is extraordinarily powerful and extremely stupid.” In other words, it is perfectly within your power to fool your unconscious mind, allowing you to banish low self-esteem for good.

Your Attitude and Self Esteem. Mountains are turned into little bumps. Discover how simply changing your perspective on how you see things, feel things and react to the situations around you change your outlook. You Can Take Control of Your Life, and it is a lot easier than you may think. Get started now. You Deserve More out of Life! [More ...] Eight Ways To Banish Low Self-Esteem For Good Go ahead, talk to yourself - You know that voice in your head that tells you you're not doing a good enough job or that your boss hates you? Tell it to shut up. Seriously. It may sound crazy, but self-talk actually works to boost self-esteem, says Sharon Fountain, president of the National Association for Self-Esteem. She advises making a red stop sign and posting it on your phone, computer or office wall as a reminder to dispute negative thoughts (and exchange them for positive ones). Get an accountability partner - According to psychologist Ellen McGrath, founder of the Bridge Coaching Institute, a great way to raise your self-esteem is to set--and accomplish--new goals involving aspects of your job that make you unhappy. The best way to ensure success: Ask someone else hold you accountable--like a career coach or someone from your social network--because you'll feel obligated to follow through with your plan. Fake it until you make it - According to Lois Frankel, Ph.D., the country's top CEOs don't necessarily have high self-esteem, they're just better at masking their insecurities. Faking a high self-esteem by feigning confidence will not only make you look more effective to your superiors--which can mean a raise or promotion--but can actually lead to a real self-esteem boost. What you're doing is tricking your mind into making certain behaviors second nature, and pretty soon, they will be. Speak up, but say less - There is a time and a place for everything, but keeping mum during a meeting is highly unadvisable, as the first two to three people to speak up are seen as more self confident. Just be sure not to talk too much. Women in general use too many words to soften their message and end up looking like they lack confidence. Cut your word count by a quarter and present the most important pieces of information first. Modify your behavior - It's not easy to change behaviors that have been ingrained from a young age, but if you find yourself apologizing before you speak or engaging in "uptalk" (saying your statements as if they are questions), which are both low self-esteem giveaways, nip the behaviors in the bud. By merely acknowledging your tendency to do these things, you can begin to change them. Take on more challenges - By taking on more challenges at work, you'll transcend your comfort zone and realize that fear can't stop you. You'll also show your superiors that you're confident and have leadership capabilities. Remember, nothing boosts self-esteem like a track record of success. Being successful at even one new task can do wonders for your mental health. And if you're worried about failing, don't be. Most successful businesspeople have fallen on their faces at one point or anther. The difference is they've gotten back up and started over. Accept praise - Charles Healy, a professor emeritus at UCLA who has been studying self-esteem and career development for four decades, says a hallmark of people with low self-esteem is not being able to accept praise. So next time your boss tells you you're doing a good job, accept the complement graciously. If nobody recognizes your hard work, find your own praise. Let people know what you've been up to. " Don't push it under a rock," says Healy. Take control - The most confident people are those who are satisfied in their careers, according to Healy. So if you are unhappy at work, look for ways to re-engineer your job--or find a new one. Also, don't forget other aspects of life: "Your career and personal life have a reciprocal relationship, so if you're happier in life, you're happier in your career," says Healy.