'Soft Skills' for Low Self Esteem

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Learning sports, languages, practical skills like driving or carpentry can all raise a sense of competency. However handling our emotions effectively is also a skill. Emotional skills are sometimes termed as ‘soft skills'. Some of these soft skills include:

Being able to ‘read' the emotions of others.

Knowing when others are angry, upset, unsettled etc.

Being sensitive to others whilst realising that we, too, have a position within any given situation.

Having empathy. Being able to ‘put ourselves in the position of the other person'.

Being able to assert our point of view. When appropriate ‘speaking up for ourselves' assertively.

Having an effective communication style.

Being able to make ourselves understood and being able to compromise to the benefit of all involved.

Having good rapport skills and being able to forge and maintain friendships.

Observing our own emotional ebbs and flows.

Knowing how to manage our own anger and ‘low times' so we are not swamped by our own emotions.

Understanding our own needs for company, rest, creative stimulation, healthy lifestyle, achievable goals, attention and intimacy so that we can feel a sense of control.

Making allowances for these needs in our everyday life.

Having wide interests and activities (as far as possible). So we are not just ‘Mother' ‘Wife' ‘Co-worker'‘Father' etc.

Being able to manage stress in our lives-which relate to some of the above skills.

Understanding the paramount importance of the company we keep. Do we just mix with people who bring us down or do we associate with others who are positive and fun?

A person’s self-esteem seems to match the extent to which they have the above skills in place.

Next, Self Esteem Trap

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