Is anyone perfect? Are you? Do you try to be perfect, but often feel it's still not enough? How would you feel about yourself if you got a "B" on an important exam? If you habitually get "As," then perhaps you'd be disappointed with a "B." On the other hand, if your typical grade is a "C" in that class, you'd be more than satisfied with a "B."

It's all a matter of perspective.

There's no question that the higher your self-esteem, the more successful you are likely to be and the more easily you are able to bounce back from disappointments and failures.

It's all in your perspective.

The following exercises will help you evaluate your self-esteem and then give you some tips on raising it to a higher level.

Step 1: On a scale of 1 to 10, with 1 representing the low level, and 10 the high, assess what you think is your level of self-esteem using the scale below.

Step 2: Take the following online tests to better determine your level of self-esteem. How do the results compare to your own assessment in Step 1? (The links will open in a new window.)

http://www.self-esteem-nase.org/jssurvey.shtml
National Association for Self-Esteem self-evaluation survey

http://www.queendom.com/tests/health/self_esteem.html
This test is made up of 30 questions designed to evaluate your general level of self-esteem

Step 3: If your self-esteem could use a boost, visit the following Web site for some ideas on improving the way you feel about yourself. (The link will open in a new window.)

http://www.utexas.edu/student/cmhc/selfest.html
Advice for achieving better self-esteem from the Counseling and Mental Health Center at the University of Texas at Austin

Step 4: One way to improve your self-esteem is to counteract the negative inner voice that tends to criticize your behaviors and actions. The chart below, based on the University of Texas at Austin Web site, lists some negative and critical thoughts you might have about yourself. In the box next to each statement, write a positive response that would counteract the negative.