Self-Esteem vs. Confidence & How to Cultivate Both

Gina Messina, Ph.D. 07/19/2021

woman of color standing with arms folded in conference room showing confidence and positive self-esteem.

Self-Esteem vs. Confidence: What’s the Difference? Imposter syndrome is something we are all challenged with from time to time and further developing your self-esteem and confidence is critical to overcoming it. However, it is important to note that although these traits are often spoken about as if they are the same, they are actually different, and both need to be cultivated. “Esteem” is derived from the Latin aestimare, meaning “to value.” Self-esteem is how you feel about yourself and what you do; it is your sense of self-worth. It also establishes your relationships with yourself, others, and the world. Confidence comes from the Latin fidere, which literally means “to trust.” Thus, confidence is self-assurance and the ability to trust oneself; it is the capacity to…

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Categories: Leadership & Career Advancement, Skill Building & Professional Development, Wellness & Personal Growth

Tagged: confidence, imposter syndrome, negative self-talk, power poses, self-esteem

Gina Messina, Ph.D.

Does Practicing Gratitude Really Work? Here’s What the Science Says

Does Practicing Gratitude Really Work? If you’ve ever done any reading in the self-help realm, you’ve probably heard this piece of advice: “Be grateful.” But does this tip have any basis in science? Does gratitude really improve our mental health? And, if so, how can we practice it effectively? Here’s everything we know about the psychology of gratitude, and how you can harness it to become a happier, healthier person. What Gratitude Really Is — and What It Isn’t Before we talk about the science behind gratitude, it’s important to define what gratitude really is. Many people express that they feel that gratitude is “toxic positivity.” You may have felt like practicing gratitude feels forced, as if you’re not allowing yourself to feel upset about…

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Institute Editorial Team 12/13/2021

Is Your Humor Deeper than a Holler?

(Before reading on, please note that the term “holler” in this article does not refer to giving a loud shout or cry. Instead, it’s a phrase that stems from my family roots in West Virginia and it means a remote road or area. Try to visualize a valley, a dirt road, and a dip in the land…) I once got stuck in a holler. It was during my early 20s and it was an experience that challenged my ability to embrace humor. Here is a moment-by-moment synopsis of the entire experience. (If you are wondering at the end if it’s all true, yep, every single detail!) When I realized that my car was stuck in a holler during a trip home from West Virginia (to…

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Jessica Headley, Ph.D., LPCC-S 09/13/2021

Leading with Gratitude

Gratitude is often overlooked as a critical aspect of leadership. We spend many of our waking hours at work and as a leader, you are responsible for creating a culture where both you and employees thrive. Gratitude cultivates the mental attitude and temperament necessary for effective leadership. It shifts the tone of the workplace so that employees feel appreciated and are inspired to be part of the big picture. Research demonstrates that gratitude offers physical, psychological, and social benefits: Gratitude leads to stronger immune systems, lower blood pressure, better sleep, and motivation to care for one’s self. Being thankful produces joy, happiness, optimism, and overall positive emotions; it also allows us to feel more alert and aware of our surroundings.Grounding in gratitude results in more generous,…

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Gina Messina, Ph.D. 07/12/2021

Kakeibo: The Art of Financial Mindfulness

By Gina Messina, Ph.D. About a year ago, a friend introduced me to Kakeibo, the Japanese art of budgeting and applying mindfulness to our spending, and I’ve been obsessed ever since. You see, I am a major contributor to our consumeristic culture. I see something shiny and I think I have to have it. A friend jokes that she hates going shopping with me because I have to pick up and touch everything on the shelves (although I’ve eliminated that practice due to COVID!). Like so many of us, I am easily persuaded by marketing tactics. Now that we so rarely spend cash, it feels like I can simply swipe a card, click a button, or use my fingerprint and suddenly I have a new…

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Gina Messina, Ph.D. 01/24/2021

5 Tips for Breaking up with the Imposter Monster

Have you ever been in a toxic relationship? You know, that partner you knew you should break up with, the one all your friends told you to ditch, but somehow you kept getting pulled back in? Yep, that’s what imposter syndrome is like and it’s one of the greatest barriers to success. It’s that persistent doubt within ourselves that’s like a monster lurking over your shoulder telling you that you don’t belong, you’re a fraud, and you’re not good enough. Fear takes over and, as a result, you don’t take risks and your talents often go unnoticed. Women are particularly susceptible to the “imposter monster” and it is one of the most common ways we hold ourselves back. Sitting in my first class in graduate…

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Gina Messina, Ph.D. 10/10/2020

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