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In the late 1950s, self-esteem hadn't yet been invented. High schools saw their sole mission as preparing students thoroughly for academic work.

Self-esteem comes from who you have in your life. How you were raised. What you struggled with as a child.

I didn't have high self-esteem when I was a teen-ager, as I think most teen-agers don't.

For a kid, self-esteem can be as close at hand as a sports victory or a sense of belonging in a peer group. It's a much more complicated and elusive proposition for adults, subject to the responsibilities and vicissitudes of grown-up life.

I was a kid who didn't have a lot of self-esteem.

I grew up in a home environment where I wasn't getting esteem for anything I did.

Real self-esteem has to be earned. I also believe in virtuous circles, like, nothing is fun until you are good at it. It is great if you can instill in children the ability to not give up, to have a work ethic.

Like it or not, life is a series of competitions. You may be competing for a grade, a spot on a team, a job, or the largest account in town. The higher your self-esteem is, the better you get along with yourself, with others, and the more you'll accomplish.

If college expectations are not taught at home, teach them in school.

Low self-esteem is like driving through life with your hand-brake on.