You seem to be looking at it on quite a big scale. I'd find that would seem unachievable too.

I think the most helpful way to look at self-esteem is to keep focussing on smaller steps and the bigger change will follow. Do you know the saying, if you take care of the pennies the pounds will look after themselves? (I don't know if there's a dimes/dollars equivalent.)

I think the most helpful thing I've heard about building self-esteem is to make small commitments and then keep them. Depending on where you are with life at the moment, it might be brushing your teeth every day, staying calm in a regular situation that usually makes you angry, going to the gym twice a week, saving some money, completing a step towards getting a qualification - anything achievable within a short time that you'd feel positive about.

That makes it not about faith but about action. It's possible and it's immediate. If you commit to doing something and achieve it, that builds self esteem. You see that you can rely on yourself, and you've made improvements. (So it's important to aim just above your current coping/comfort level and give yourself the greatest chances of success.)

I don't think you have to take a giant leap of faith. I think it's about creating small ripples that keep growing outwards.