Dr. Barton Goldsmith: 10 simple ways to increase your self-esteem

1. Organize your desk. Whereas Albert Einstein did say that a clean desk was the sign of a sick mind, organizing yours will reduce the chances of you having a minor meltdown when you have to find that piece of paper in a hurry, and will also give you a sense of accomplishment.

2. Learn a new computer program. The pride you will get from mastering, or just understanding the basics of, a computer is empowering. Learning something new builds brain cells, increases feelings of positivity, and staves off dementia.

3. Fix something around the house. Saving a few bucks by doing it yourself has become the norm for many of us. Funny thing is, every time I put out a little energy on the house and am successful at the task, I actually feel better about myself, too. Try it, you may like it.

4. Organize your photos. Whether on the computer or in albums, reviewing your history is a great way of seeing where you’ve been and how you’ve evolved over the years.

5. Keep a gratitude journal. The process is elegant in its simplicity: write down five things that you feel grateful about. Doing this on a daily basis will change the way you think and feel. The best time is just before bed, when feelings of gratitude will flow into your subconscious as you sleep.

6. The world is your ally. Einstein also said that we all need to see the universe as friendly. Making friends with life allows you to play with it as well as be a player in it.

7. Accentuate the positive. Of the gazillion thoughts we have each day, 80 percent of them are negative. Learning to identify these downer moments, and replace them with positive images, is really empowering and makes your days nicer.

8. Get some support. Support groups were around well before psychotherapy. If you don’t have friends, family or coworkers who support you emotionally, join a group or form one of your own.

9. Feel the love. Perhaps nothing makes you feel better about yourself than being loved by someone you admire. You don’t have to be in a relationship; what I’m talking about is unconditional love, which is not exclusive to romance.

10. Get into good physical condition. If you are healthy, you can accomplish anything. If you aren’t, mere survival can be a challenge. Being fit will help your confidence as well as your physical well-being. Exercise is your easiest, most accessible and cheapest form of anti-depressant.

These tools work, but don’t try to do them all at once. Spend a few days working on one that resonates with you, and then add another.