5What really is meant by self-confidence? What is self-esteem? Why are these things good but we think of pride as being bad? Why are these things important in one's everyday life? How can a lack of self-esteem hurt you and how can enough of it be a real asset to you? And of course the biggest question of all, how can you build it in your life? Would you say you're a prideful person? Chances are you wouldn't because of course we equate pride with vanity and arrogance. A prideful person must always be bragging about what they have, where they've been, and why they're so much better than you. Would you say you have self-esteem or self-confidence? While pride is often equated with arrogance, self-esteem and self-confidence are typically things that we admire in others and want for ourselves. When we see a colleague gracefully making a presentation at the office or a classmate breezing through a speech, we wonder how they can do that so easily and wish we had their confidence. And when we get nervous over the smallest class participation or question asked by the boss, we realize how a lack of confidence and esteem can cost us dearly.