Self Esteem

Professors Bainbridge and Reynolds each remark on the recent "discovery" that boosting one's self-esteem rarely boosts one's abilities:

SCIENTIFIC AMERICAN has an article on exploding the self-esteem myth. Bottom line: "Boosting people's sense of self-worth has become a national preoccupation. Yet surprisingly, research shows that such efforts are of little value in fostering academic progress or preventing undesirable behavior."

Well, sure.  Most everyone who has ever achieved anything great (or even merely good) has been a wee bit terrified along the way.  Prior to every one of my (modest) accomplishments, there have always been moments in which I've been convinced that I'm worthless, an idiot, and absolutely going to lose.

Or, as it was memorably put in Field of Dreams (IIRC): 

"Annie Kinsella:  'How many ballplayers feel like they're going to lose their father's love every time they go up to bat?' 

Ray Kinsella:  'All of them.'"

Fear, low self esteem, self doubt:  These are your friends.  The trick is using them to your advantage.

(And, on that entirely inappropriate note, Merry Christmas.)

Comments

[xanax]

Fear, low self esteem, self doubt:  These are your friends.

Great, von. Just what my wife needs. More ammo.

[xanax]

Fear, low self esteem, self doubt:  These are your friends.

Great, von. Just what my wife needs. More ammo.

[Stan LS]

Yep. If everyone tells you that you're fine the way you are, then you'll never self-improve.

[xanax]

Could this double posting thingy be a Mac deal? GRRRRRRRR...

[bob mcmanus]

Low self-esteem is my imaginary friend.

[John Thullen]

Low self-esteem is my constant companion and I wish he's get lost. He's a stalker. I want a restraining order.

[st]

I would use my low self-esteem to my advantage, but I'm just too stupid and useless. Stupid! Stupid! Useless! Useless! Useless!

[thunk of head hitting desk, followed by soft weeping]

[Oberon]

I am wonderful and brilliant already, so why should I bother with academic progress or desirable behavior?

[Digital Amish]

I know I didn't see the movie and in fact can't even remember which one it was. But the line in the teaser was memorable... and appropriate here. "Maybe your low self esteem is really just good common sense."

[Slartibartfast]

know I didn't see the movie and in fact can't even remember which one it was. But the line in the teaser was memorable... and appropriate here. "Maybe your low self esteem is really just good common sense."

Google says Spanglish.

I'd be worried about my self-esteem, but I can't find anything to compare it to.