Reestablishing Self-Esteem for Wealth, Health and Happiness
There was a time when people lived up to a code of ethics. While today’s world is filled with greed and corruption, those values can be regained to make life meaningful.
Self-fulfillment is the quality that made America strong and vibrant. The people built their reputations on trust among everyone they met or dealt with. There simply was no compromising core values for greed and selfishness.
How things have changed since! Today’s world is filled with greed, corruption and violence. From the greed in the boardrooms of major business to the ongoing war in Afghanistan, people have lost direction. Newspapers are brimming with corruption among businessmen and women in high positions of authority who have taken upon themselves to defraud the public so they can live a lavish lifestyle. Bernie Madoff is not the exception.
The core values of hard work and ethics have given way to making “easy money.” Quick wealth is based on buying on credit even if the money isn’t there to pay the bills. It has become increasingly usual for individuals to search for pleasure in material goods
Self-confidence is hard to come by when there is no sense of direction. But the lack of values has placed a great financial strain on society as it tries to define true values from false in the nation’s courtrooms.
Some with low self-esteem find comfort in a bottle, sex, food or other self-destructive behavior to ease the tensions of daily life.
Self-fulfillment is not a foreign concept. It is based on rules, that, when followed, make life enjoyable and fulfilling.
Fulfillment Through The Work Ethic
When times become difficult, that’s usually when people begin to reach out more to help others. But it doesn’t require a 9-11 event to stir people to action. In the past people believed in the work ethic so strongly that they frowned on anyone who did shoddy work. Anyone who performed sub-par work was fired or went bankrupt from lack of customers who felt they were taken advantage of. It’s the individual who is prepared to work harder and longer hours who achieves more wealth than the average citizen. A strong work ethic means a strong character who knows his worth and doesn’t need to cheat to find fulfillment.
The Need for Self-Development
No one can life a fruitful life unless he is perpetually learning. Self-development doesn’t stop once the student leaves university with a diploma. Since everyone must co-exist with friends, family and their neighbors, they need to cultivate communication skills. They need to learn what is required to get along with everyone they meet or do business with. No one can grow in a spirit of selfishness. No university teaches how to get along with your neighbors. The daily experiences of life must teach those core values and that takes a great deal of time for self-improvement.
How Risk Plays with Self-Fulfillment
Growth cannot occur without risk taking. Many individuals are fearful of venturing beyond their comfort zone out of fear of failure and criticism. Yet no success has ever been assured by resting on the sofa when action needs to be taken. Successful business executives make the best decisions possible, decisions that can impact their business negatively. Failure can impact them, their employees and the corporation with far more devastating results than what the individual faces.
Procrastination never leads to self-fulfillment. The best course of action is to make the wisest decision based on the facts on hand and act. If the decision proves to be wrong, the only alternative is to learn something from the error and move on.
The Necessity for Effort and Sacrifice
No success can ever be achieved without great effort and some sacrifice. Reaching a well planned goal that took effort is far more satisfying than new furniture bought on credit. Sacrifices is what develops character and self-esteem. It leads to more achievement.
Anyone who wishes to reach a worthwhile goal must be prepared to make the sacrifices necessary to reach their goal assuming, of course, they have something to reach for.
The Need for Giving and Generosity
Thankfulness is one characteristic lacking in the world today. Regardless, it is one of the best methods to boost one’s self-esteem. There are a number of leaders who give away part of their wealth to charities and other causes. They do it in a spirit of thankfulness that they were able to acquire wealth and fame. Men like Andrew Carnegie and Bill Gates are often admired for giving away some of their wealth to help others less fortunate. It enhances their self-worth and the purpose for their existence.
Life cannot be lived selfishly. While many people drive the latest model car and feel important in their many possessions, they are often unfulfilled as they are not following the rules that could make life worthwhile. Real wealth, health and happiness comes from following the core rules that are overlooked by many members in today’s society.
