When you are suffering from low self-esteem, it’s easy to get caught up in your own thoughts.

No matter how hard you try to convince yourself that you are worthy of praise, there is always a little voice in the back of your head, pouring cold water on your arguments. In some cases, thinking about our lack of self-confidence can actually make you feel worse.

So, what’s the alternative? If trying to will your way to better self-esteem isn’t the answer, what is? The answer is simple. If you want to boost your self-esteem, stop thinking about yourself and start helping others.

Volunteering Can Boost Your Self-Esteem

Helping others can increase your self-esteem in several ways. First, by improving other people’s lives, you see, in a direct way, that you are valued. A single smile on the face of a child is worth a hundred pages in any self-help book.

In addition, volunteering gives you the opportunity to meet people who share your values and passions. The bonds that you form while we are giving back to the world are some of the strongest imaginable.

Finally, giving back can force you to get out of your comfort zone. When the only person that you have to disappoint is yourself, you are likely to stay inside your shell. When your actions have a direct impact on the lives of others, you are more likely to step up – and as you do, you will see that you are capable of much more than you imagined.

How to Get Started Volunteering

There are so many amazing websites to help you connect with an organization that needs your help. VolunteerMatch.org allows you to search for causes in your local area. They cover pretty much every kind of volunteer opportunity imaginable, including education, the environment, homelessness and more.

If you are looking for something less “formal,” there are usually plenty of opportunities to help out in your home city. Volunteering at a local school is a fantastic way to make a difference in the lives of young people. Even helping to keep your local park clean will give you a sense of purpose – and plenty of fresh air.

Don’t wait to get started. If you want to boost your self-esteem, stop thinking and start doing. The world needs you more than you can possibly realize.

Do you agree that giving back is a great way to increase your confidence and self-esteem? Why or why not? What have you done to boost your self-esteem? Do you volunteer? Please join the conversation.