Have you ever heard of the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale?
The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale (RSES: Rosenberg, 1965) is the most widely used measure of self-esteem for research purposes. Still, it is NOT a diagnostic aid for any psychological issues of states. The scale has been used in more than one hundred research projects.
I took the Rosenberg Self-esteem test and was happy with the results.
You can find the Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale in this article to see your self-esteem score if you’re interested.
It got me thinking about how healthy self-esteem can lead us to a more fulfilled and happy life. So I started to look for examples of high self-esteem.
When you look at the examples of high self-esteem, you may identify with some of them. You also might find areas in your life that you’d like to improve.
Related: 15 Common Examples of Low Self-Esteem
What is Self-esteem?
Self-esteem is how a person thinks of their inherent worth. Self-esteem can be considered how much you like and appreciate yourself regardless of your current circumstance.
There is a massive overload of available information about individuals today.
Tabloids and gossip sites broadcast the most intimate details of your favorite celebrity. Our neighbors can edit the most significant and fantastic moments of their lives on social media. And it seems like all the blockbuster movies are about superheroes saving the world with unrealistic strength and strategies.
But how do you think about yourself?
“Self-esteem goes to the very heart of our personal growth and accomplishment. Self-esteem is the glue that holds together our self-reliance, self-control, and self-approval or disapproval and keeps all self-defense mechanisms secure. It is a protection against excessive self-deception, self-distrust, self-reproach, and plain old-fashion selfishness.”
– James E. Faust
Rosenberg Self-esteem Scale
Self-esteem can influence your level of motivation, your mental health, and your overall quality of life. However, having either too high or too little self-esteem can be problematic. Understanding your unique level of self-esteem can help you strike a perfect balance between being too confident and too insecure.
I want to make sure that you realize the self-esteem score you get from the Rosenberg self-esteem test is not a measure of your implicit self-esteem.
Self-esteem is a way to say how much someone cares about themselves. This can be shown on a scale from overly high self-esteem to very poor self-esteem. As a result, the concept of implicit self-esteem can be thought of as the hidden beliefs that people have about themselves.
This self-evaluation will not help uncover any hidden beliefs you may or may not have. It will simply give you a self-esteem score based on how you answer the self-esteem items presented.
Our self-esteem level is unique to each of us, and when you answer the 10 questions, honestly, you be shown a scale. Your individual differences will be represented, but they are not definitive.
I mean to say these questions are not directly targeting ethnic differences, age-related differences, genetic factors, or gender differences.
Finally, I encourage you to NOT think of your self-esteem score as a psychological review of your mental health or determine if you have healthy self-esteem.
Use the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale as a tool to develop positive self-esteem.
Why Self-esteem is Important
Self-esteem impacts many different aspects of your life, including your decision-making process, your relationships, and your emotional health. It also affects motivation, as people who have a healthier, more positive self-esteem understand they have the potential to achieve what they set out to do.
People with healthy self-esteem:
- Understand their skills and capabilities and don’t overestimate them.
- They can maintain healthy relationships because they have a healthy self-image.
- Understand their needs and be able to communicate them concisely.
Those with poor self-esteem often feel less sure of their ability and may question their decisions. They may not be motivated to try new things because they don’t think they can reach the goals they’ve set for themselves.
People with poor self-esteem might have relationship problems and difficulties expressing their needs. They may also feel low levels of self-confidence and feel unloved and unworthy.
Examples of High Self-esteem
I believe that if we want positive outcomes in our life, we try to emulate those that exhibit what we wish to. It isn’t that we try to avoid negative outcomes, but rather create the life we want.
Here are the 15 common examples of people with high self-esteem:
1- Believe in Themselves
If you have positive self-esteem, you are confident in your abilities.
People with high self-esteem acknowledge their strengths and are confident in their ability to improve where necessary. Unlike persons who have poor self-esteem, they believe that they deserve to achieve more.
As a result, they are frequently ambitious and strive for growth and personal accomplishment.
They don’t waste time with negative self-talk.
They accept responsibility for their actions and do not rely on others to make decisions for them. They do not require the approval of others to feel good about themselves.
2 – Not Threatened By Others
When you have confidence in your abilities, you are comfortable giving and receiving compliments and are not threatened by others.
It is healthy to appreciate others’ talents, appearance, and personalities.
3- Open to Criticism
You can handle criticism from others without feeling hurt. You know how to take constructive criticism and use it to help you grow.
When you take criticism without offense, you can see what things can be improved.
Along with this, people with high self-esteem can also take insults. Their self-worth is not dependent upon what others think but can evaluate everything to their advantage.
4- Acknowledge Their Mistakes
When your self-esteem is healthy, you take responsibility for your own mistakes but don’t feel bad about making them.
When you make a mistake, instead of saying, “I am bad,” you say, “I did something wrong” because you understand that you are not perfect.
People with high self-esteem don’t hesitate to say “I’m sorry” when they need to and try their best to make things right.
5- Know What They Want or Need
Individuals with high self-esteem know what they want or need and can convey these needs and desires to others.
They are secure with themselves and are not anxious for the acceptance of others.
They can unconditionally love others and don’t feel like they have to change others.
They take ownership of their lives and the decisions they make.
They live their lives with integrity, being true to their values. They prioritize their time to take care of the truly important things.
6- Enjoy Healthy Relationships
If you’re fortunate enough to have spent time with two friends who both enjoy healthy levels of self-esteem, you may have noticed how positive their relationship is.
High self-esteem friendships have these characteristics:
- There is respect and kindness demonstrated.
- Support is readily offered and only healthy competition occurs.
- Interactions are usually positive rather than negative.
- Relationship resolutions don’t jeopardize the friendship.
When you have high self-esteem, how others are is always considered. Arrogance and egotism are not examples of high self-esteem; authentic self-esteem honors all humanity.
Positive relationships with strong self-esteem are caring because they encourage connection and closeness among each other. The bond of self and other-esteem provides both friends with a sense of safety and comfort.
Studies have shown that having high self-esteem is linked to greater relationship satisfaction. Self-esteem affects how we think about ourselves and how much love and affection we’re able to receive and how well we treat others, especially when it comes to intimate and warm relationships.
7- Effective Communicators
It is common for people with high self-esteem to be good communicators.
One of the best elements of communication is the ability to listen. When someone has high self-esteem, they will listen more intently and pay attention to what the speaker says.
People with high self-esteem can express themselves clearly and effectively. They are confident in their abilities and believe that they can communicate their ideas to others.
The person with high self-esteem is likely to say what they mean and not try to protect themselves by saying ‘yes’ when they want to say ‘no’.
8- Take Care of Themselves
When you have positive self-esteem, you take care of your physical health by exercising, eating right, and getting plenty of rest. They take care of themselves emotionally by clearing negative emotions. Mentally by reading, learning new things, and getting help when needed. Spiritually by meditating, being in silence, praying, and serving others.
Additionally, people with positive self-esteem take care of their finances by maintaining a budget, working hard, and don’t take unnecessary risks.
If you don’t feel like you have any control over your life, it will affect all aspects of your life. It affects your relationships, work, finances, and health.
9- Don’t Take Themselves Too Seriously
One way that confident people guard them against self-esteem issues is they can laugh at themselves.
This is not self-deprecation but rather enjoying the humorous aspects of life. This helps us to appreciate our strengths as well as our weaknesses.
Having fun is an important part of living a happy life. People who have positive self-esteem enjoy the simple pleasures of life.
They are less concerned with what everyone else thinks about them and instead focus on doing what makes them happiest.
10- Goal Setters
An excellent way to measure whether someone has proper self-esteem development is by focusing on their self-improvement and successes. These people are usually good at planning and setting their own goals. They have a sense of direction and confidence in themselves.
These traits make them effective goal setters. They know what they want and are willing to put forth the effort necessary to achieve their dreams.
11- Share Their Experiences, Ideas, and Opportunities
Another trait of people with high self-esteem is sharing their experiences, ideas, and opportunities with other people.
They are open to feedback and criticism from others because they trust their judgment. They are comfortable expressing their opinions and ideas even if they are unpopular or controversial.
They do not concern themselves with the potential someone will steal their ideas, and they are interested in others having success and themselves.
12- Comfortable With Change
Because people who have a lot of self-esteem are comfortable with change, they look for new opportunities and are willing to try new things. They don’t mind getting out of their comfort zones. They also want to learn new skills to help them with any new problems.
It is vital to accept change; it is inevitable.
13- Have a Drive for Success
Not surprisingly, people who have a lot of self-esteem have a lot of drive to do well. They are more likely to be more flexible and to be able to deal with problems and setbacks as they go.
If they make mistakes, they can learn from them and move on. Self-accountability is a problem that even the most successful people have difficulty with.
However, people that have a strong sense of health hold themselves accountable. They evaluate their success and aspire for improvement regularly.
14- Unafraid to Exhibit Curiosity
An indirect measure of high self-esteem people is curiosity.
People who have high self-esteem are curious about everything. They ask questions and seek answers. They are always looking for ways to improve themselves.
Curiosity is one of the best characteristics of people with high self-esteem. They are eager to learn and explore.
15- Comfortable With Social or Personal Assertiveness
Assertiveness is the ability to say what you think and feel without being rude, aggressive, or judgmental. It’s about being honest and considerate of other people’s needs and ideas.
Being assertive means standing up for yourself when people are critical or speak out against you. To be assertive, you have to stand up for your rights and beliefs even when people are critical or speak out against you.
Assertiveness is about being able to be yourself in different situations. More specifically, it’s about being able to change your mind if you don’t know, don’t care, or don’t have the time. In this case, it’s about not having to explain your actions or behavior to anyone else.
To be assertive means having the courage to ask for help, express your feelings, give compliments and constructive feedback, and disagree with others with an open and honest point of view.
Being assertive is a characteristic of people with high self-esteem.
In Summary
People with high self-esteem acknowledge their strengths and are confident in their ability to improve.
They are open to criticism and can see what things can be improved when they take it without offense.
Their self-worth is not dependent upon what others think but can evaluate everything to their advantage.
Studies have shown that having high self-esteem is linked to greater relationship satisfaction. Self-esteem affects how we think about ourselves and how much love and affection we’re able to receive and how well we treat others, especially when it comes to intimate and warm relationships.
People with high self-esteem are good at planning and setting their own goals.
They are comfortable expressing their opinions and ideas even if they are unpopular or controversial.
These people also have a lot of drive to do well because they are willing to try new things. People with high self-esteem are curious about everything. They are always looking for ways to improve themselves.
Assertiveness is the ability to express your feelings without being rude, aggressive, or judgmental. It’s also important to be considerate of other people’s needs and ideas.
