I also believe we're born with a measure of self-esteem. Like any human being, we need to be encouraged, acknowledged and nurtured to help sustain that healthy esteem. Consistently poor treatment from others can erode it. As a child, when I shared my larger-than-life dreams with my parents, they laughed, shared it with other adults--in my presence--and everyone had a good laugh, again and again. They probably thought I was being childishly cute, and were enjoying it. I, on the other hand, thought I was being ridiculed. Couple that with a parent constantly quarreling with you about how unsatisfactory your grades are (although you are an A-student) and eventually, you're left believing you're not good enough. Sadly, that belief reflects in your approach to life and contributes to the seemingly endless cycle of self-doubt and timidity.

People like to be around lively, confident people who are nicely put together and generally assertive and positive. I think if we don't demostrate those qualities in our posture and language then people move on.