RD&T’s contributing writer, Marcus Neo, explores the psychology of true self-esteem.
I’ve been on both ends of human performance. I’ve been last in class and first in class in multiple disciplines in my life, from academics to martial arts, to business and relationships, among other pursuits. Through the years, I’ve always wondered, what are the key principles of high performance? Is it motivation, is it discipline, or is it willpower?
I also wanted some research behind my search for answers. I didn’t want to be one of those self-help writers who writes another cheesy post on ’10 Steps to feel better about yourself today.’
How is genuine self-esteem is actually generated? Why do some people feel like a fraud while others feel like a king? Why do some people feel deserving of things in their life, while others struggle? Why do some people boast of things they never did accomplish, and are perfectly fine with not doing so?
Initially, I bought the idea that showed that the environment shapes behavior, as opposed to willpower. However, I, later on, bought into the argument of childhood development, the Freudian approach.
High Performance has Multiple Variables
I’ll argue that high performance boils down to multiple variables from the environment and your childhood experiences. I’ll also argue that self-esteem is a key fundamental of all high-performance behavior. Your behavior boils down to your self-esteem — how much you believe you’re worth, deep down. Self-esteem leads to courage and eventually leads to an expanded life.
