Nathaniel Branden: The Six Pillars Of Self Esteem

According to Nathaniel Branden, self-esteem is the disposition to experience oneself as being competent to cope with the basic challenges of life and being worthy of happiness. It is the confidence in the efficacy of the mind, ability to learn, appropriateness of the decisions and choices, and effectiveness of the response to change. Self-esteem is not a euphoria that may be temporarily induced by a drug or a compliment nor an illusion or hallucination. It is grounded in reality and built over time through appropriate operation of mind.
He described self-esteem having two essential components: self-efficacy and self-respect. Self-efficacy is the confidence in the ability to cope with life’s challenges and self-respect is the belief of oneself as deserving of happiness, achievement, and love. Self-esteem is a self-reinforcing characteristic. When one have confidence in their ability to think and act effectively, they can persevere when faced with difficult …show more content…
First, “Living consciously” is to be present on what one is doing, understand the interests, values, and goals, and aware about the world external to self and the world within. Second, “Self-acceptance” is to own and experience without the denial of the reality of one’s thoughts, emotions and actions. “Self-responsibility” is to recognize that one is the author of their own choices and actions, no one is coming to make their life right for them. “Self-assertiveness” is to honor the wants and needs and look for their appropriate forms in reality and to stand up for one’s convictions, values and feelings. “Living purposefully” is to keep on track and moving toward their fulfilment and to perform the actions that allow to achieve their goals. Lastly, “Personal integrity” is to have principles of behavior to which one remain in action and to keep the promises and honor the