One of the greatest ways to increase your self esteem, self confidence, and your overall opinion of yourself is to accept and appreciate the way you are, instead of wishing you were somebody else. When many of us look in the mirror every day, we don't like what is looking back. We're too old, too short, too fat, too skinny, whatever. Instead of going through all kinds of efforts to change ourselves, we only need to change our opinion of ourselves. If we can do that, then everything's easy. In this article, you'll learn some powerful tips that can help you in that regard.

First of all, choosing who you'd like to be is a good start. Keep in mind this has a lot to do with self perception more than anything else. Just take some time, and write down on a sheet of paper what kind of person you wish you were. Don't leave anything out, and be as creative as possible. Just doing this exercise can give you a lot of confidence.

One of the things that holds many of us back is how we were treated as children. Despite their best efforts, nobody's parents are even close to perfect. They were trying to do a difficult job without any kind of training, and they often failed. Instead of blaming your parents, try and look at them with kindness and forgiveness. Remember, forgiving somebody is a purely selfish act. It's not about letting somebody off the hook, it's about removing the source of our victimization.

If you've got kids of your own, strive to understand their point of view a little bit better. Remember, they are just kids who are trying to figure out things as they go along. They all want the good stuff without getting into trouble. It's when we expect them to act a certain that's not realistic do we get into trouble. When you understand the motivations behind their behavior, it's easier to see where they're coming from.

Working with your community is a great way to enhance your self image. Doing some charity work or cleaning up around some parks near where you live can give you a great feeling. It will also help you to get out and socialize with people from your neighborhood. You never know, you may make a new friend or two.

Just following a couple of these tips can really help. You'll be surprised how well they work. Just try whatever feels comfortable, and watch the magic work. You'll like who you see in the mirror in no time.