No data to support this but self-esteem can absolutely be improved. Two major components (there are many more) are: 1) Perceived inferiority (Self-Acceptance)

No data to support this but self-esteem can absolutely be improved. Two major components (there are many more) are: 1) Perceived inferiority (Self-Acceptance) Everyone benchmarks their own life, success, skills, etc... against another group. Sometimes the choice of benchmark group is unrealistic, sometimes the person is just hanging out with a crowd where they don't really fit, sometimes it's necessary to take a step back and realize that comparisons to others don't really matter. All of these can be improved by finding a better social circle (fit), attending different group activities, or reflecting on negative thoughts and re-framing. 2) Actual lack of skill/knowledge (Self-Improvement) If the lack of self-esteem comes from actual gaps in knowledge or skill then the solution is to keep a running list of gaps and make an effort to improve them. A common item here might be fitness. Many people have low self-esteem due to sub par fitness and/or health habits and directly remedy the issue by embarking upon a fitness regimen. Another situation might be feeling incompetent in a specific area of domain knowledge and this one can be remedied through an active effort to read/learn/study and become competent in the troublesome areas. Being honest with yourself (even if it's harsh), assessing your weaknesses, and working to improve them can go a long way to improve self-esteem.