Confidence is one quality to have at every point in time. Without it, you will be second-guessing every move you make and second-guessing yourself. Not really a good life to live.
confidence
However, most people tend to struggle in the area of gaining self-confidence. It is actually easier than done. They allow the thoughts and opinions of others to determine the way they feel, the decisions they make, including the thoughts they have and follow. It is basically letting others to live your life for you.
Nonetheless, building confidence can be done in a few, simple yet demanding ways. Take a look.
#1. Avoid negativity. Remember positivity.
A major contributor to lack of confidence in individuals is the surroundings they find themselves in. If you are surrounded by a lot of positive energy, you will be filled with confidence.
On the other hand, negativity can suck confidence away. This could come through the thoughts you harbor in your mind and the opinions or words others.
This is the time to really evaluate your inner circle, including friends and family. This is a tough one, but it’s time to seriously consider getting away from those individuals who put you down and shred your confidence. Even a temporary break from Debbie Downer can make a huge difference and help you make strides toward more self-confidence.
Be positive, even if you’re not feeling it quite yet. Put some positive excitement into your interactions with others. Stop focusing on the problems in your life and instead begin to focus on solutions and making positive changes.
#2. Refuse failure
Never give up. Never accept failure. There is a solution to everything, so do not give up on yourself or what you want to achieve. Succeeding through great adversity is a huge confidence booster.
Low self-confidence is often caused by the negative thoughts. If you are constantly bashing yourself and saying you’re not good enough, aren’t attractive enough, aren’t smart enough or athletic enough etc, you are creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. You are becoming what you are telling yourself inside your head. The next time you hear that negativity in your head, switch it immediately to a positive affirmation and keep it up.
#3. Dwell on your talents
Discover the thing that you are good at, even if it is just cooking or babysitting and focus on it.
Give yourself permission to take pride in them. Express yourself, whether it’s through art, music, writing, or dance. Find something you enjoy and cultivate a talent to go with your interest.
Finding and doing your hobbies increases your chance of making new positive friends. It also helps make you feel accomplished and self-confident, once you know how great you are at a certain thing.
#4. Deal with your emotions and mistakes
At times, the things holding us back are the feelings of fear and imperfection that we may have. Some are good at comparing themselves to others and have a mixture of emotions tucked away within them.
It is time to let all of these go. Find someone to talk to about this- be it your family, friends or even a therapist.
Also, accept the mistakes you have made as a person and learn from them. Let it be your confidence boost and not the opposite. Remember that everything cannot be perfect and one way or the other, everyone makes mistakes. You are no different.
#5. Be prepared
Being confident requires that you are ready for anything at any given point in time. Once the unexpected occurs, you will be able to handle it without breaking a sweat. That is what confidence does. Thus, if you are seeking for a job or going for a presentation, prepare to do the best that you possibly can. Learn as much as you can.
However, be mentally ready to face anything that happens otherwise.
#6. Image
Nothing could better help in building confidence than your looks.
Go the extra mile and style your hair; give yourself a clean shave, and dress nicely. Others are more likely to perceive you as successful and self-confident as well.
Probably that new look and a change in your wardrobe is all the confidence boost that you need.
#7. Body language
Another tip to adhere by is to change your attitude towards others. Smile more and make eye contact with people when talking. Talk slowly and ensure that your posture does not drive people away.
Just the simple act of pulling your shoulders back gives others the impression that you are a confident person. Smiling will not only make you feel better, but will make others feel more comfortable around you. Look at the person you are speaking to. Keeping eye contact shows confidence.
Those who take the time to speak slowly and clearly feel more self-confidence and appear more self-confident to others.
#8. Create a list
Life is full of challenges and there are countless times when it’s hard to maintain your self-confidence.
During those times, make a list of all the things in your life that you are thankful for, and another list of all the things you are proud of accomplishing.
Once done with the list, paste it somewhere it can easily and frequently be seen so that you will be reminded of what a wonderful life you’ve got and what an amazing person you really are. If you feel your self-confidence dropping, take a look at those lists and let yourself feel and be inspired all over again by you.
