Self-Worth, Self-Esteem, Self-Confidence : What's the difference?

Hi everyone!

Over the past few weeks, many of us have been captivated by the Olympics, marveling at the incredible efforts and performances of the athletes. It’s truly inspiring to see how confident they are in their abilities, giving their all in pursuit of excellence—like the viral moment of the Turkish shooter who amazed the world with his skill and poise.

But it raises an important question: What exactly is confidence, and how does it differ from self-worth and self-esteem?

Self-worth, self-confidence, and self-esteem are often used interchangeably, but they have distinct meanings that are important for us to understand for personal growth.

  • Self-Worth is about your inherent value as a person. It’s the unshakable belief that you deserve love, respect, and happiness, regardless of external achievements or failures.
  • Self-Confidence refers to your belief in your abilities to perform tasks or face challenges. It’s more situational and can vary depending on the context. For example, you might feel confident in your work skills but less so in social situations.
  • Self-Esteem is the overall evaluation of yourself—how much you like and accept yourself, including your strengths and weaknesses. It’s shaped by your experiences and how you perceive them.

When we understand these distinctions, it can help us identify areas where we might need more support or development.

Question for the day: Which of these three—self-worth, self-confidence, or self-esteem—do you find the most challenging to maintain, and why?

Hi everyone!

I’m sure that we can understand that while these concepts (self-confidence, self-esteem and self-worth) are interconnected, each one plays a unique role in how we work through our lives.

Let’s take this conversation a step further: How do we actually cultivate and maintain these qualities?

It’s easy to admire athletes for their confidence, but what’s often overlooked is the immense amount of self-awareness required to reach that level. They’ve spent years honing not just their physical skills but also their mental resilience. They understand where they excel and where they need improvement, and they work on both with equal dedication.

So, how can we apply this to our own lives? :slight_smile:

  1. Building Our Self-Worth - We can start by acknowledging our inherent value. This might mean challenging those inner voices that tell us we’re not enough. We should also practice self-compassion and remind ourselves that our worth isn’t tied to our achievements.
  2. Growing Our Self-Confidence- Let’s identify areas where we want to improve, and set realistic goals, and celebrate small victories along the way. Confidence grows with experience, so keep pushing ourselves out of our comfort zone, even in small ways.
  3. Strengthening Our Self-Esteem- We can reflect on our experiences and how they shape our view of ourselves. For example, are you focusing more on your mistakes than your successes? Let’s try to balance our perspective by recognizing both our strengths and areas for growth.

Remember, self-awareness is important to nurture these qualities! It’s about being honest with yourself, recognizing where you’re at, and taking intentional steps toward where you want to be :slight_smile:

Today’s Reflection: What’s one small step you can take this week to boost your self-worth, self-confidence, or self-esteem? Share your ideas below—I’d love to hear what you’re working on!