Self-esteem is not simply a matter of feeling good about yourself—though legions of motivational cheerleaders would have you believe so. The "feeling good" definition is far too simple—and largely unreliable. Too simple because it doesn't give you anything to work with. Unreliable because feelings are fleeting. The most unhappy, self-deprecating people feel good about themselves occasionally, but the feelings don't last. Feelings hardly ever last—they change in response to situations and events.