There was a time not so long ago, when the most important thing you had to worry about was getting your tax return in on time or what to get everybody for Christmas

Not these days. As communication capacity increases we are becoming more and more a global community. Now, I have to concern myself with

minimizing bank fees;

the best investment strategies for my superannuation;

how to better my car's fuel consumption;

whether the products I buy are produced by an ethical company;

what percentage of fat is in my tub of yoghurt;

and how much salt is in my food;

which rubbish goes into which recycling bin;

whether the meat I buy has been injected with antibiotics;

whether the timber I buy comes from a rainforest;

and

if my teenage son is taking drugs.

And that's on a quiet day!

I blame the advances in communications technology. Back when the world ended just past the last house on the outskirts of town, none of these issues was of concern, at least to me.

Now we are expected to have an opinion on virtually everything. The nightly news bulletin not only contains footage from the most obscure places I've never heard of, but also the financial gains and losses on the stock exchange, the value of the local currency against the other major currencies and the various indices that apparently tell us whether or not things are getting better.

We are no longer isolated from the issues affecting people on the other side of the globe. The chances are we've been there (which was not as possible or likely just 50 years ago!)

We are no longer a society. We are an economy, with each individual, in effect the CEO of their own company, 'Me Inc.' (In some instances 'Me Inc.' merges with 'You Inc.' to become 'We Inc.' but the same principles apply.)

Is it any wonder so many people opt out, choosing to operate at a level of consciousness below their capability, just so they can cope. They work on the belief that if you don't acknowledge it, it's not there. That's as mature and realistic as the three year old who decides that if I don't say goodbye to mommy, she can't leave.

At this time, probably more than any other in history, we each need to be able to function at our best. But choosing to live at a level of consciousness lower than that of which you are capable is not the way to do it. Developing your self esteem is.

That's because self esteem is the foundation upon which you build a successful life. I recently needed to have some work done to our home. One of the corners had moved and had damaged the wall. There was even concern that it would give way completely and literally bring the house down. Whoever built the place had not established solid enough foundations and it was a fairly costly exercise to fix, but at least the house is now habitable

Life, without appropriate self esteem is like a house without solid foundations. You can make it look okay, but one day it's going to give way and do some serious damage. The difference is that you can always move into another house. When it's your life that is collapsing, where do you go?

Self Esteem has two elements. First is the capacity to deal with whatever you are faced with, or at least knowing where to find the solution. The second is a sense of worthiness that you deserve the sort of life that cope-ability provides for you. Today, more than ever, you need a level of self esteem appropriate to you and the life you are leading.

If I was a betting man, I'd wager you have not yet reached that level. Few people have. So, if life is just too much for you, chances are you could do with a good dose of higher self esteem. It's just a pity you can't add a spoonful to your cereal each morning!