Usually, however, productivity will go a long ways toward lifting one's self-esteem. Nothing contributes to low self-esteem like a feeling of worthlessness stemming from lounging about sans energy all day. Most people testify that the moment they get up off the couch they begin to feel better; their self-esteem begins improving immediately. Even if it's just to wash the dishes, do a load of laundry, aply for a job, write a story, draw a picture, whatever; action, for these people, equals an increase in self-esteem, and this seems to be a pretty universal rule.

If you're suffering from low self-esteem, therefore, one great way to begin reversing the feeling is to do something. Do something, do anything. Get out and jog. Learn how to cook. Call a friend who's suffering as badly as you are and cheer him or her up. If you take the example of jogging, your self-esteem increases (a) as you find yourself active rather than inactive, and (b) as the results of that activity start showing themselves in improved body function, attractiveness, and so forth. Or, if you go out find a job, your self-esteem increases in similar ways: (a) you're out there getting something done, and (b) you're making money and friends and can now afford to go on dates and things.

Self-esteem is important because it's almost impossible to function without it. Function healthily, that is. It's possible to slog through the day with low self-esteem, but you aren't going to accomplish as much and you aren't going to feel good. You're going to feel miserable.

And this "not feeling miserable" is one of the true benefits of self-esteem. People with self-esteem generally feel happier than people without self-esteem. People with self-esteem have more confidence than people without self-esteem. People with self-esteem take more healthy risks than people with low self-esteem. And so on and so forth.

Now, we've noted that you can usually build your self-esteem through positive activity. At the same time we've noted that very active people can have low self-esteem. What gives? Well, the fact seems to be in these cases that such people aren't active in the areas contributing to their low self-esteem. Let's say, for example, that you have a fellow that runs his own business. He's successful, he's relatively well off, and he's admired for having the energy and tenacity to do something successful with his life. At the same time, he's terribly out of shape and feels unattractive all the time. And so, his self-esteem suffers as a result. This fellow is active, to be sure, but he needs to be more active in different areas. He needs to exercise, eat healthily, and so on, and soon he'll see his self-esteem increase.

Self-esteem keeps us mentally healthy, and self-esteem is attained when we do physically and mentally healthy things. Inactivity is one of the quickest ways to low self-esteem, no matter how talented or good looking we are.