Cheryl Saban Empowers You to Express Your Self-Worth

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All too often, we spend our time trying to live up to the expectations of others, forsaking our own needs and worth. Even those of us who would describe ourselves as strong and confident have had our moments of feeling unworthy. Can you remember the last time you didn't speak up when you had something to say? Do you sometimes feel you have to prove your worthiness? Are you afraid to be who you really are?

Acclaimed psychologist, family advocate, and author Cheryl Saban is on a mission to empower women across the world to put their self-worth on the front burner. In her new book, What Is Your Self-Worth?, Cheryl empowers you to take a look at how you perceive yourself and how you can proactively express and own who you are. According to Cheryl, a women's sense of worth, esteem, and empowerment are essential prerequisites for a peaceful global society. Now in her first HayHouseRadio.com special, which is set to air this Friday, Cheryl empowers you to find your voice. As you'll see from our recent Q&A, Cheryl's insight, passion, and commitment to you and women around the world is bound to get you thinking about what steps you need to take to express your self-worth.

Editor: What are your hopes for all the women who read What Is Your Self-Worth?

Cheryl: My goal in writing this book is for every women who feels "worthless," to feel WORTH IT instead. Writing this was truly a labor of love for me. I myself struggled with doubts about my self-worth for the first thirty-odd years of my life. So I know first-hand how tough it can be to conjure up a sense of self-esteem when you have felt ravaged by difficult and painful experiences. But once I discovered that though I couldn't change the facts of my life, I could change the way I thought about those facts, I realized nobody was coming to save me and began to take more responsibility for my own happiness. A shift in my attitude basically changed my life for the better, and I am determined to share this concept with other girls and women.

Editor: While researching the book, you interviewed hundreds of woman from all walks of life about what makes a woman worthy. Was there a common theme that stood out to you?

Cheryl: Most of the women who completed the questionnaires felt especially validated and worthwhile when they spoke about their roles as mothers and wives-in the sense that they felt responsible for creating a happy family life for their loved ones, and honored and happy to do so. This feeling of devotion and commitment runs deep and strong. Still most women also acknowledged that society doesn't always place a high value on these selfless contributions. And this skewed sense of value is even more complicated when women are marginalized by divorce, violence, and abuse. It can be very hard to maintain that positive personal regard and sense of empowerment in the face of such circumstances. Advocating for parity, equity, and harmony in our society stands out as an important theme.

Editor: What is Your Self-Worth is filled with insightful exercises and questions to help women strengthen their self-worth and confidence. What is the first step you suggest we take?

Cheryl: The very first step is to acknowledge that you have a voice. Find it and use it - even if that means talking just to yourself at first. Do a personal assessment-find out what you believe, how you feel, and write it down. Expose the authentic stuff of who you are, and be willing to look at the full picture. Decide you are worth the effort to seek some positive changes in your life. This attitude will help you attract more positive experiences into your personal universe, and help bolster your courage and confidence to seek help if you need it, and to speak truth to power. You are worth the effort, you know. If you haven't heard or felt this sensation before, let me be the first to join your girlfriend posse, and tell you so!

Editor: How do you think we should start talking with our daughters about self esteem?

Cheryl: From a very young age our daughters AND our sons, should be taught that women are to be respected and treated as capable, valid partners, not framed merely as helpmates and service providers. We need to teach girls that we're perfect as we are-no matter our body size or type-that we have a right to be here and are an equally important voice in the global, societal narrative. We are not vessels to be filled, or possessions to be controlled. We are strong, intelligent, capable, and valid. WE ARE WORTH IT!

Editor: Do you have any projects on the horizon you'd like to share with us?

Cheryl: Prior to my current book with Hay House, I had written several gift books, and another one in my "recipe" series, Recipe for a Happy Life, is on the horizon. But I am strongly committed to What is Your Self Worth?: A Woman's Guide to Validation and have no intention of slowing down on my mission to spread this message. A woman's sense of self-worth isn't a subject that will lose its appeal to me, most probably ever. I'm determined to help women rise up out of poverty, and gain more control, independence, and happiness in their lives. As you know, all of my author's proceeds of the sales of this book are being donated to women's funds and projects both here in the United States and abroad. I'll be promoting this book in Europe well into 2010! We have some exciting events planned for the launch of this book in Europe, and I'm very much looking forward to that.