【導(dǎo)讀】someexamples.givehimsomeadvice.underpressure.askedtofinishEx1&2in10minutes.orsisters?DealwithEx1.individually.DealwithEx2.2aretrueorfalse.

　　

【正文】 asy to build selfimage around what a parent, coach, or other person says. Obviously, selfesteem can be damaged when someone whose acceptance is important (like a parent or teacher) constantly puts you down. But criticism doesn39。t have to e from other people. Like Steve in the story above, some teens also have an inner critic, a voice inside that seems to find fault with everything they do. And, like Steve, people sometimes unintentionally model their inner voice after a critical parent or someone else whose opinion is important to them. Over time, listening to a negative inner voice can harm a person39。s selfesteem just as much as if the criticism were ing from another person. Some people get so used to their inner critic being there that they don39。t even notice when they39。re putting themselves down. Unrealistic expectations can also affect a person39。s selfesteem. People have an image of who they want to be (or who they think they should be). Everyone39。s image of the ideal person is different. For example, some people admire athletic skills and others admire academic abilities. People who see themselves as having the qualities they admire — such as the ability to make friends easily — usually have high selfesteem. People who don39。t see themselves as having the qualities they admire may develop low selfesteem. Unfortunately, people who have low selfesteem often do have the qualities they admire. They just can39。t see that they do because their selfimage is trained that way. Why Is SelfEsteem Important? How we feel about ourselves can influence how we live our lives. People who feel that they are likable and lovable (in other words people with good selfesteem) have better relationships. They are more likely to ask for help and support from friends and family when they need it. People who believe they can acplish goals and solve problems are more likely to do well in school. Having good selfesteem allows you to accept yourself and live life to the fullest. Steps to Improving SelfEsteem If you want to improve your selfesteem, here are some steps to start empowering yourself: Try to stop thinking negative thoughts about yourself. If you39。re used to focusing on your shortings, start thinking about positive aspects of yourself that outweigh them. When you catch yourself being too critical, counter it by saying something positive about yourself. Each day, write down three things about yourself that make you happy. Aim for acplishments rather than perfection. Some people bee paralyzed by perfection. Instead of holding yourself back with thoughts like, I won39。t audition for the play until I lose 10 pounds, think about what you39。re good at and what you enjoy, and go for it. View mistakes as learning opportunities. Accept that you will make mistakes because everyone does. Mistakes are part of learning. Remind yourself that a person39。s talents are constantly developing, and everyone excels at different things — it39。s what makes people interesting. Try new things. Experiment with different activities that will help you get in touch with your talents. Then take pride in new skills you develop. Recognize what you can change and what you can39。t. If you realize that you39。re unhappy with something about yourself that you can change, then start today. If it39。s something you can39。t change (like your height), then start to work toward loving yourself the way you are. Set goals. Think about what you39。d like to acplish, then make a plan for how to do it. Stick with your plan and keep track of your progress. Take pride in your opinions and ideas. Don39。t be afraid to voice them. Make a contribution. Tutor a classmate who39。s having trouble, help clean up your neighborhood, participate in a walkathon for a good cause, or volunteer your time in some other way. Feeling like you39。re making a difference and that your help is valued can do wonders to improve selfesteem. It39。s never too late to build healthy, positive selfesteem. In some cases where the emotional hurt is deep or long lasting, it can take the help of a mental health professional, like a counselor or therapist. These experts can act as a guide, helping people learn to love themselves and realize what39。s unique and special about them. Selfesteem plays a role in almost everything you do. People with high selfesteem do better in school and find it easier to make friends. They tend to have better relationships with peers and adults, feel happier, find it easier to deal with mistakes, disappointments, and failures, and are more likely to stick with something until they succeed. It takes some work, but it39。s a skill you39。ll have for life.