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  • Writer's picturePAUL NG

Have you ever wondered how to build confidence in yourself?

Updated: Jan 21, 2022



Students often think, how can we build up our self-esteem in a positive way. In my ELA class, we participate in an on going independent reading project. In the beginning of the school year my ELA teacher gave me a book, about a New York Rangers legend. At first I thought he was pranking me, because he knew I am a big New York Islanders fan. What I didn’t know is that the book contained some great examples of how Mark Messier’s self-esteem showed up in his personal choices and behavior. Just like our self-essteem can be developed through the choices we make and the way we react.


The Book “Messier- Hockey’s Dragon Slayer” is the biography of Mark Messier and his amazing career in the NHL. Mark Messier started in the NHL in the 1979-1980 season for the Edmonton Oilers when he was 18 years old. The whole book is filled with how much everyone thinks Mark Messier is great, but it is also clear that he had high self-esteem. You could tell from the things he said and the advice he gave to other players. He said to Brian Leetch to try and be the type of player that tries to make the big play, the play that very often borders on being a big mistake. He said that's the type of player you are, you've got to keep doing that, we need you to keep doing that. Messier would remind Leetch that the goal was to win and to try to be the guy who was trying to be the difference. Messier would say “There are plenty of guys to make the safe play. It's going to backfire. There are times it's not going to always turn out. But keep doing it, and more often than not you're going to be helping.” Brian Leetch said “when somebody scores a goal and Messier's on the ice, he's as excited as anyone in the whole arena. You really have to be a secure person, and a very team–oriented person, to be genuinely as happy as he is for other people’s success, every time. There's no jealousy or feeling that, I should have done this.” In other words, Messier is saying you have to do everything possible with the best intentions. You want to get a 90 to 100 on your next exam, you have to do all of your classwork, homework and study leading up to that exam. If you want to improve your artwork, you have to draw every single day. And if you mess up on any of the steps, remember it is okay, all that matters is you keep on trying and never give up.


Another example of Messier’s high self-esteem was when in 1994 he declared to reporters “We're going to go in there and win Game Six. We know we're going in there to win Game Six and bringing it back for Game Seven. We feel we can win it, and we feel we are going to win it.” And they did. “Impossibly, unpredictably, the Rangers had evened the series. Messier had followed through on his guarantee with one of the greatest games of his career.” Then onto Game Seven. Messier said “You start in September with a goal in mind, to win the Stanley Cup. You have to take it step-by-step. This is the next step. It all gives us an opportunity to take the next step.” “Mark Messier, come get the Stanley Cup!” NHL commissioner Gary Bettman handed him the cup after the Rangers won Game Seven of the 1994 Stanley Cup finals. “It was great hockey,” Messier said, “ it was like two boxers that have styles that make for a good fight. The styles seem to mix. It was one of the best series I've ever played.” Mark Messier is a six-time Stanley Cup winner, he has always been a confident man and he has every right to be. We are just in middle school with a whole life ahead of us. If you want to build your best self now is the time to try. If you try and fail, just keep on trying and always know your can turn to a trusted teacher to help you along the way.


We may not all be as successful as a Stanley Cup winning hockey player, but that is not the point. Everyone at some point is faced with a challenge, whether it is in the classroom or in life. Challenges are not meant to break people down, challenges are just temporary and when you start believing in yourself you will grow as a person.


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