Texas Christian Counseling Logo

  • CounselorsFind the best counselor for your needs
  • ServicesRead about the expertise available
    • Individual ServicesAddress your personal concerns confidentially
      • Abandonment Issues
      • ADHD
      • Aging and Geriatric Issues
      • Anger Management
      • Anxiety
      • Bipolar Disorder
      • Coaching
      • Codependency
      • Counseling for Children
      • Counseling for Teens
      • Depression
      • Eating Disorders
      • EMDR Treatment
      • Family Counseling
      • Grief Counseling
      • Individual Counseling
      • Infidelity and Affairs
      • Men’s Issues
      • OCD
      • Personal Development
      • Premarital Counseling
      • Professional Development
      • Relationship Issues
      • Spiritual Development
      • Trauma
      • Women’s Issues
    • Christian Couples CounselingWork through challenges together
      • Couples Counseling
      • Family Counseling
      • Marriage Counseling
    • Family CounselingEstablish the peaceful home you desire
      • Couples Counseling
      • Counseling for Teens
      • Family Counseling
    • Group CounselingBenefit from the support of others
      • Men’s Christian Recovery Groups
      • Men’s Sexual Addiction
        Recovery Group
      • All Counseling Groups
    • Online Counseling
    • Anxiety
    • Depression
    • Marriage Counseling
  • LocationsChoose from our variety of office locations
    • Alamo Ranch
    • Allen Christian CounselingAllen
    • Bible Verses about Anger: Dealing with Anger the Godly Way 1Arlington
    • Carrollton Christian CounselingCarrollton
    • Don't Tough it Out Alone: Thoughts on Grief CounselingFort Worth
    • Harlingen
    • Keller Christian CounselingKeller
    • Killeen
    •  1Laredo
    • How to Deal with Chronic AnxietyMcKinney
    • How to Cope with Anxiety: 6 Practical Techniques 2Plano
    • How to Deal with Chronic AnxietyRichardson
    • Bible Verses About Hope: How to Stay Afloat When You’re in a Storm 1Rockwall
    • Round Rock
    • What the Bible Tells Us About Mental HealthRoyse City
    • Stone Oak Christian CounselingStone Oak
    • Sulphur Springs
    •  1Online Counseling
  • CareersBecome an affiliated Christian counselor
  • (469) 333-6163Please give us a call, we are here to help
header-image

Building Self-Esteem Through Goal Setting

Texas Christian Counseling
https://texaschristiancounseling.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/building-self-esteem-through-goal-setting.jpg 960 640
https://texaschristiancounseling.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/cropped-TexasCC-1080-min.jpg
1255 West 15th Street Suite 445
PLANO, TX 75075
United States
1255 West 15th Street Suite 445
PLANO, TX 75075
United States
Photo of Dr. Ronald Jenkins

Dr. Ronald Jenkins

Jul
2024
18

Building Self-Esteem Through Goal Setting

Dr. Ronald Jenkins

CoachingIndividual CounselingPersonal Development

Have you ever noticed that when your self-esteem is low, so is your motivation? Making plans is challenging when you lack confidence. You may not want to go out publicly or feel despair and shame. Your self-esteem can affect every aspect of your life.

Building self-esteem is possible through the power of goal setting. But what exactly is self-esteem?

What is self-esteem?

Self-esteem is how you perceive yourself. We often base our beliefs about ourselves on past performances or experiences or because of what someone has said about us. Rarely, do we see ourselves the way God sees us, as capable, inspiring, and loved.

Like us if you are enjoying this content.

Whether you have high or low self-esteem is based on three factors from Maslow’s Hierarchy:

  • If your physiological needs are met, like water, food, and clothing.
  • If you feel safe and secure, such as shelter and employment.
  • If you feel loved and accepted, you have a sense of belonging.

These factors are known as levels in Maslow’s hierarchy, which is depicted as a pyramid with basic needs as the largest level across the bottom. After meeting these three levels, you can begin building self-esteem and confidence through achievements and recognition.

Self-esteem includes respect, resiliency, courage, and confidence. It is how you see yourself.

Why is building self-esteem critical?

To reach a level of self-actualization, you need to raise your self-esteem. Your current level of self-esteem also predicts how well you will do in a career, academics, and relationships. It can also predict whether you are more likely to have issues in those areas or trouble with the law.

Low self-esteem can also lead to risky behaviors like drinking too much alcohol, drug abuse, and eating disorders.

You will never reach your full potential if you struggle with self-esteem (or any basic levels). Now is the time to work on building self-esteem, so that you can reach your goals and see your dreams come to fruition.

How to set goals for building self-esteem

Building self-esteem begins with achievements and recognition. Your confidence soars when you accomplish a goal or even a task leading to achieving a goal. Recognition boosts your self-esteem when others see you meeting your goals.

The following are tips for building self-esteem through goal setting. You can practice this with any goal. Some people work on multiple goals at once, but you may want to start small by focusing on one goal you can reach quickly.

Build your confidence in your strengths

Building Self-Esteem Through Goal Setting 1There are specific areas in which you feel confident in your strengths. Identifying your strengths and leaning into those can boost your confidence. Make a list of the things you know you are excellent at doing. Maybe that is decorating, carpentry, acting, telling stories, or creating recipes.

Build on your strengths by being teachable. Learn how to do that thing better. Learn the craft. You can take a course online, work toward a degree or certification, or join a club or group. You can also find plenty of free videos, courses, and articles online. The library probably has a treasure trove of resources you can borrow.

Make a list of goals

Do you have a list of goals? People who write out their goals are more likely to achieve them. According to a Harvard Business study that followed MBA students for ten years after graduation found that only 3% of the students wrote down their goals while in school. However, this small group made ten times as much money a decade later than their peers.

How can this be? When you write down your goals, you start a process. Your subconscious begins looking for opportunities. To reach your goals, you need to change your behavior, create new habits, and drop poor ones.

For example, if you want to lose twenty pounds by this time next year, you may need to change your behavior from sleeping to waking up at 5:00 a.m. to work out. Instead of snacking on chips and energy drinks, you may need to choose healthier options like protein, veggies, fruit, and a bottle of water.

As you write your goals, make them specific and attainable within a time frame. For example, if you need to lose weight for health reasons, you could note, “I will lose twenty pounds of excess weight one year from today.” You have chosen a specific amount (twenty pounds) to be lost in one year (time frame). This equals a little less than two pounds a month over twelve months (an attainable goal).

Choose one goal that you can accomplish first

You may choose to start with a small list of goals, such as three, five, or ten. Next, ask yourself which of these goals could make all the others possible. You may have several goals that span different areas of your life. For the moment, choose one that you think you may be able to achieve faster.

For example, your list may look like this:

  • Pay off the mortgage.
  • Lose twenty pounds.
  • Get the promotion at work to Project Coordinator.
  • Update the main bathroom.

At first glance, these goals seem unrelated. But take a closer look. If you get the promotion at work, you will have a better chance of having money to update the bathroom and, eventually, pay off the mortgage. Losing extra weight means adopting new behaviors and mindset, and you can accomplish this alongside your main goal of getting a promotion (but at a slower pace).

Break your goal down into small tasks

Perhaps at your company, you need a Project Management certification before applying for the Project Coordinator position. Break this goal down into smaller tasks. For example, you would research certifications online for the requirements, explore the costs, and take the courses. You may need to create a project and work with a team before you receive the certification.

As you reach each milestone, your confidence and self-esteem will grow. You are planning and working, and you are reaching your goals. Consider each small task another goal. Do not wait until you get the Project Coordinator role; celebrate your wins with every milestone.

Choose you

When you struggle with low self-esteem, asserting yourself may be challenging. Even when you do not want to do something, you cannot seem to speak up. But being assertive is choosing you. Although we have family members and friends who may love us, people are human. They will often select their wants and needs over others. You probably know people like this who do not seem to notice how their behavior affects you.

The only person who achieves your goals is you. You must protect your dreams and what you want for the future. This means choosing you when others do not have your best interest at heart or do not understand how important your goals are to you. You are not being rude or selfish by standing up for what is important.

Being assertive probably does not come naturally to you. Begin by raising your head and straightening your posture. Walking with good posture gives you a sense of confidence. Make eye contact with others. You may find that you duck your head when you pass people. Try to keep your eyes on them instead and smile. Voice your opinion when you feel the need instead of hiding your true self. If you need help with assertiveness, consider speaking to a counselor.

When you need help with personal development

Are you having trouble building self-esteem? Contact our office today to schedule an appointment with a counselor specializing in personal development and building self-esteem. Changing your perception about yourself can be difficult, but with professional help, we can help you see yourself the way God sees you – as confident, self-assured, strong, courageous, and a son or daughter of the King. Give us a call today.

Photo:
“Watering the Plant”, Courtesy of Ave Calvar, Unsplash.com, Unsplash+ License

  • Share on Facebook
  • Tweet it
  • ↑ Back to top
Photo of Dr. Ronald Jenkins
Schedule with Dr. Ronald
  • Appointment Info

  • Your Info

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Dr. Ronald Jenkins

Licensed Professional Counselor
(469) 333-6163 connect@texaschristiancounseling.com

Having served as a pastor for 30 years, my passion is to help people overcome the difficulties they are facing in life. Whether you’re looking for counseling for teens, adult individuals, or couples, together we will work to find the core of your concerns and develop a plan to overcome them, with God’s help. As a Christian counselor, I will pray for you and encourage you to become the person God has created you to be. In our sessions you can expect to be treated with respect, compassion, and the love of God. My aim is for you to leave each session having taken positive steps in your healing process. Read more articles by Dr. Ronald »

Other articles that might interest you...

Personal Development: Building Self-Esteem 1
Texas Christian Counseling

Personal Development: Building ...

🎧 Listen to this article Self-esteem can seem like a superficial concept – applicable if you’re in a Disney movie,...

continue reading »
Auto Draft 9
Photo of Kimberlyn Jaggers

Kimberlyn Jaggers

Graced for Growth: Tools for Spiritual ...

In distinct parts of youth and childhood, we experience what many know as growing pains. Bones and bodies shift. Cells...

continue reading »
Joy in the Journey: Strategies to Navigate Anxiety, Spiritual, and Personal Development 3
Photo of McCartney Paul

McCartney Paul

Joy in the Journey: Strategies to ...

No matter who we are or what we encounter in life, challenges will be embedded as part of our spiritual...

continue reading »

About Dr. Ronald

Photo of Dr. Ronald Jenkins

Dr. Ronald Jenkins, DMIN, MS, MRE, MDIV, BA, LPC

Licensed Professional Counselor

Having served as a pastor for 30 years, my passion is to help people overcome the difficulties they are facing in life. Whether you’re looking for counseling for teens, adult individuals, or couples, together we will work to find the core of your concerns and develop a plan to overcome them, with God’s help. As a Christian counselor, I will pray for you and encourage you to become the person God has created you to be. In our sessions you can expect to be treated with respect, compassion, and the love of God. My aim is for you to leave each session having taken positive steps in your healing process. View Dr. Ronald's Profile

Recent articles by Dr. Ronald

  • Jun 6 · 6 Keys to Improve Communication in a Relationship
  • Apr 29 · Overcoming Resentment in Family Relationships
  • Apr 15 · Can a Christian Marriage Survive Infidelity?
See all articles by Dr. Ronald »

Related Services

  • Coaching
  • Individual Counseling
  • Personal Development

Dr. Ronald's Office Locations

  • Photo of the Royse City office

    Royse City

    Texas

    General Office Number

    (469) 253-0870
    118 East Main Street, Suite 105 Royse City, TX 75189

    View Office Details
  • Photo of the Rockwall office

    Rockwall

    Texas

    General Office Number

    (972) 694-0137
    1101 Ridge Road, Suite 205 Rockwall, TX 75087

    View Office Details
  • Photo of the Online Counseling office

    Online Counseling

    Texas

    General Office Number

    (469) 333-6163
    TX,  

    View Office Details
Texas Christian Counseling Logo
Texas Christian Counseling
Professional help with faith-based values
Welcome to Texas Christian Counseling. We are an association of professional, independently licensed Christian counselors and therapists. We offer multiple office locations throughout the state of Texas for your convenience, including the Plano, Frisco, Flower Mound, and Rowlett communities. We look forward to serving you!
© 2025 Plano Christian Counseling. All rights reserved.
1255 West 15th Street, Plano, TX 75075. Tel (469) 333-6163.
Facebook Sitemap Online Counseling Privacy Policy Terms of Use Feel free to contact us!