Ways to Building Self Confidence

1. Ways to Building Self Confidence
Imagine howdifferentyourlifewouldbe if youfeltmore confident.Fearswouldbe onlyafaintmemory
of daysgone by.You’d knowwithoutadoubtthat youcouldachieve whateveryousetyourmindtoand
nothingcould holdyouback.You’d be livingthe life you’ve alwaysdesired!
Self-confidenceisperhapsthe mostimportantqualitythatsetssuccessful people apartfromothers.
Thinkof everypersonyouknowwhohas achievedameasure of success.Canyoufindevenone who
doesn’texhibitconfidence?
Successful people don’thave more confidence because they’re anybetterthananyone else.They’re no
betterthanyou!They have confidence because theylearnedsomeskillsandtalentsthathelpedto
developanunshakeable confidence overtime.
The good newsisthat you,too,can learnthese skillsandgainthe confidence topropel youtosuccessin
any endeavor!Wouldn’tyoulove tohave more confidence?Of course!Butthe realityisthatit won’t
come to you onits ownaccord; you have to seekitout.
Here are the top 14 waysto boostyour confidence soyoucanfeel goodaboutyourself andenjoythe
perksof success:
1. Look good, feel great.
Whenyoulookand feel yourbest,you’ll have more confidence,you’ll feelmore alert,andyou’ll bring
more energyandfocusto your projects.Otherswill alsotake notice of youandrespond favorably to
your positive energy.
Be a sharp dresser.
In bothyour personal andprofessional life,lookingyourbestreallydoesattractothers.Whenyoushop,
buynice clothes.If budgetisan issue,payforquality,notquantity.Higherqualityclotheslookbetter,fit
better,andlastlongerthan the cheapstuff.
Whenyoulookgood,you’ll feel greatandthere will be anauraof confidence around you.
Stay inshape.
Making the efforttostay inshape paysyou well intermsof increasedconfidence andself-esteem.If
you’re insecure aboutyourweight,forexample,those insecuritiescanaffectmanyotheraspectsof your
life.
Eatinghealthy,nutritiousfoodsgivesbothyourbodyandbrainwhattheyrequire tofunctionattop
capacity.Shopthe perimeterof the grocerystore where you’ll findthe freshfruits,vegetables,meats,
and whole grainbreads.Stayawayfromthe centerof the store,where theykeepall the preservative-
ladenfoodsinboxesandcans.

2. Exercise everydaytouse up extracalories,tone yourbody,andgainmore energy.Exercisingalso
producesendorphins,the “feelgood”hormone,whichgivesyouanemotional liftandmakesyoufee l
goodabout yourself.
2. Let your body language show confidence.
Expertsagree thatpeople maygetmore from yourbodylanguage thantheydo fromyour words.Using
confidentbodylanguage will goalongway towardsincreasingyoureffectivenesswithothersandbring
yougreaterconfidence aswell.
Followthese tipstoexhibitconfidence withyourbodylanguage:
1. Stand up straight.Yourposture can tell people alotaboutyoubefore youeverspeaka word!
Confidentpeople standstraightandtall,whereas people wholackconfidence shrinkdown.
2. Be relaxedandopen.Eventhoughyou’re standingupstraight,keepyourmusclesrelaxed.
Tense musclesexhibittension,fear,orinsecuritytoothers.Openbodylanguageshowsself-
confidence andtrust.
3. Walk quickly.Busy,successful people usuallywalkquickly.Theyhave placestogo,thingsto
do,and people tosee.Whenyouwalkquickly,youjointhe ranksof these accomplishedpeople,
and otherswill automaticallylookatyouas if youmustbe successful,too.
4. Hold yourheadup. Showyourconfidence byholdingyourheaduphigh.Insecure peoplelook
downfar too often.
5. Make eye contact. Whenyoulookat someone inthe eye,you’re projectinghonesty,sincerity,
and self-assurance.Onthe otherhand,avoidingeyecontactmakespeople thinkthatyouhave
somethingtohide orthat you’re unsure of yourself.
6. Smile andthe worldsmileswithyou!Smilesare contagious.Theymake everyonefeel good,
includingyou!Studiesshowthatputtingasmile onyourface can actuallyactivate pleasant
emotions,includingconfidence.
Considerwhata warmsmile cando by readingthisshort,buttrue,reflectionacolleague saidrecently:
Justimagine howyou’dfeel once yourealizehow easilyyoucanmake a difference in the life of a
stranger– and all youhad to do wassmile.
Smile atyourself inthe mirroreverymorningasyoubeginyourday.It will puta springinyour stepand
give youconfidence tomeetthe challengesof the day.
3. Use positive self-talk throughout your day.
We talkto ourselvesinsideourmindall daylong;it’slike arunningdialogue thatneverends.The things
yousay to yourself forge energypathwaysinyoursubconsciousthatcontrol yourattitudes,beliefs,and
actions.Howyou react to yourexperiencesisalsopartof thisself-talk.

3. Whenyourself-talkispositive,itcanmove youto accomplishgreatthings.Whenit’snegative,itcan
holdyouback and evenkeepyoufromeveraccomplishingthe thingsyoudesire.
Use these tipstohelpyouformthe attitudesthatcan bringyousuccessand confidence:
1. Make use of affirmations.Affirmationscanliterallychange yourlife,one thoughtata time!Use them
to reinforce yourpositivebehaviorsandoverridemental attitudesthatholdyouback.For bestresults,
repeatthemseveral timesaday.
Followthe 3-PMethodfor effective affirmations:
Positive.State yourdesiredbehaviorsinapositive manner.Avoidthe words“not”or “never.”
Personal.You’re speakingtoyoursubconscious,souse the word “I.”
PresentTense.Write youraffirmationsasif they’re attitudesandbehaviorsyoualready
exemplifyinyourdailylife.Use wordslike “Iam” or “I feel”or“I believe.”
Here are a fewaffirmationsthatcanencourage greaterconfidence:
I accomplishmy dailygoalswithease.
I am preparedtomeetany challenge thatcomesmyway.
Confidentradiatesfromme atall times.
2. Keepyourinnerdialogue positive.Asyougothroughyour day,ensure thatwhatyou’re sayingto
yourself issomethingyouwanttohear.Afterall,nothinggoodwill come frombeatingyourself upfor
makinga mistake.If youmake a mistake,learnfromitandmove on.
4. Set SMARTGoals.
Confidence comestopeople whoknowexactlywhattheywant,where they’re going,andhow they’re
goingto getthere.SettingSMARTgoalsvirtuallyguaranteesyoursuccess,andeverytime youachieve
one of yourgoals,yourconfidence iskickedupanothernotch!
Use the SMART strategyfor settinggoalsyoucan achieve:
1. Specific.Describe exactlywhatyouwant.Make it crystal clearand leave noroomfor
interpretation.
2. Measurable.Youmust be able to measure yourprogresssoyou’ll know whenyou’ve
succeeded.
3. Attainable.Planaseriesof easilyachievable steps,ormicro-goals,thatleadtoyourobjective.
Reachingthese micro-goalsona regularbasiswill encourage you,fill youwithconfidence,and
buildmomentumtowardsyouroverallgoal.
4. Realistic.Ensure yourgoalsare realisticforyou,notSupermanor someone else.

4. 5. Timely.Alwayssetatime forreachingyourgoal soyou can make an actionplan that’s
complete byyourdesireddate.
Here’san example of aSMART Goal:“I will earnanextra$200 sevendaysfromnow by workinganextra
90 minuteseachday.”Thisgoal meetseverycriterionin the SMARTstrategy.It may lookrathersimple,
but achievingthose smallstepsonyourwayto yourbig goal adds upand instillsyouwiththe confidence
and motivationtokeepgoing.
5. Maintainpositive relationships.
Our relationshipscanfill ourlives withrichrewards.Relationshipshave the potentialtoeitherinvigorate
or devastate ourself-esteem.Incorporatingthesestrategiesintoyourrelationshipswillensure that
they’re positive andbeneficial.
1. Give compliments.Make othersfeelgoodaboutthemselves.
2. Receive complimentsgraciously.Acceptcomplimentsgraciouslybysimplysayingthankyou
and nothingmore.There isnoneedtoput yourself downtoappearmodest.
3. Followthe GoldenRule.Treatothersasyouwouldlike tobe treated.
4. Be honest.Everythingyousayshouldbe groundedintruth.
5. Showkindnessandlove.Letothersknow youcare.
6. Sandwichconstructive criticisminbetweengoodpoints.Focusonhow theycan improve.
7. Look for the bestinothersand bringit out.Focus onthe goodinothers.
8. Admityour mistakesandapologizewhenyou’rewrong.Refusetomake excuses.
9. Eliminate gossip.Gossipistoxicanddetrimental toyourconfidence.
6. Look withinyourself.
Self-assessmentisanimportantpart of buildingyour confidence.Analyzingyouruniquetalentsand
passionsalongwithdeterminingwhere youwanttoimprove canhelpyoucreate actionstepsbasedon
your findings.Self-knowledgeresultsin astronger,more confidentyou!
1. Strengthenyourstrengths. Identifyyourtalentsandbuildonthem.Take advantage of what
youdo well tohelpyousetand achieve yourgoals.
2. Determine yourpassionsandpursue them.Whatare youpassionate about?Spendingmore
time pursuingyourpassionswillrefreshyou,bring youanotherstrengthyoucandependon,
and give youmore energyforall aspectsof your life.
3. Write a “me”speech.Listall the thingsyoulike aboutyou:talents,skills,andpastsuccesses,
thengive yourself permissiontofeelgoodaboutthese accomplishments.Everymorning,recite
your speechwhilelooking inthe mirrorwithabig smile!

5. 4. Improve yourweaknesses.Realize thatnoone isperfect.Expectingperfectioncanonlylead
to disappointment.Afterall,there will alwaysbe somethingyou’dlike toimprove upon.
Determine whereyou’dlike toimprove anddesignaplantomake thisimprovement.
If you wantto sharpenyourskillsina specificarea,signupforsome classesandget activelyinvolvedin
the field.
If your weaknessisabad habit, use affirmationstohelpwithyourwillpowerandmake the commitment
to refine yourself-discipline throughdailypractice.
7. Do things youenjoy.
Oftentimesthe activitiesthatyouenjoythe mostare the onesyou excel at.
While you’re engagingintheseactivities,you’re alsoreinforcinghow valuable youare!The more time
youspendon sharpeningyourskills,the more yourconfidence will grow.
8. Feel gratitude.
Beingthankful foreverythingaroundyouputsyourmental energiesintoapositive state andattracts
more thingsfor youto feel goodabout.It’sa cycle that can workwondersforyour confidence andself-
esteem.
1. Reflectonthe good.Give thankseach and everydayforyour blessings.
List all the thingsthatare good inyourlife:big,small,andseeminglyinconsequential.
What special talentshave youbeengiven?
What goodthingshappenedtoday?
Look forthe goodinchallenges.Theymaybe there tohelpyouinsome way.
2. Keepa gratitude journal.Eachday,write aboutthe momentsand people thatyou’re thankful for.
Whenyou’re feelingdown,readingyourjournal canliftyourspirits.
9. Speak up and be noticed.
Do youeverwishotherswouldpaymore attentiontoyouand whatyou have to say?There are simple
thingsyoucan do to make people thinkof youasa strongleader.Whenyouimplementthese strategies,
it will cause agradual attitude shiftinbothyouand otherpeople thatwill helpyourconfidence climb.
1. Sit inthe front.In classroomsor seminars,sitinthe frontrow and activelyparticipate.Youwill
soonbe lookeduponasthe authorityandpeople will be naturallyattractedtoyou.
2. Have somethingtosay.Inmeetingsorgroupdiscussions,speakupwithpositive opinionsand
input.Evenif whatyou sayisn’tparticularlymomentous,people will still begintothinkof youas
a valuable contributor.

6. 10. Seek the company of positive people.
Whenyou’re aroundupliftingpeople,it’seasytofeel confident.Like-mindedindividualshelpbringout
the bestin you.Whenyou surroundyourself withpositiveinfluences,youknow youcanbe yourself
withoutfearof judgement.
The more time youspendwiththem,the more goodfeelingsaboutyourself andotherswillspill over
intothe many areasof yourlife.
On the otherhand,avoidnegative people.Theytendtobe overlycritical andtryto drag youdownto
theirlevel.Be likethe gingerbreadmanof the fairytale.He said,“Run,run as fast as youcan. You can’t
catch me; I’mthe gingerbreadman!”Don’tletthose negative people catchyouand steal yourself-
confidence.
11. Live by your principles.
Allowyourself tofeel secure inyourbeliefsandactaccordingly.Otherswill have more respectforyouif
youstick to yourbeliefs,evenif theydon’tagree withyou.Whenyouletyourprinciplesguide your
actions,you can neverdisappointyourself.
1. Knowwhat's importanttoyou.
2. Alwaysdowhat youbelieveisthe rightthing.
3. Desire thingsbecause youwantthem, notbecause someone else does.
4. Don't compare yourself.Yourworthdoesn’tdependonothers.
12. Challenge yourself.
Pushingyourselfalittle more thanyou’re usedtowill openupnew doorsforyou.Whenyoumeetthe
challenge,itmaytake youbysurprise to learnthatyou can do thingsyouneverthoughtyoucould!
You’ll feel betteraboutyourselfthaneverandyourconfidence will soar.
1. Take a course where youlearnhow to survive inthe wild.
2. Learn a newskill,suchas woodworkingorlandscaping,andbeautifyyoursurroundings.
3. Set an ambitiousgoal and workuntil youachieve it.
13. Celebrate frequently.
Alwayscongratulate yourself foryouraccomplishments.Whenyoudosomethinggood,patyourself on
the back, celebrate,rewardyourself,andfeel goodaboutit – you’ve earnedit!Thisismore important
than youthink.Withouta little celebration,youwill nevertrulyrealizeeverylittle successthatyou’ve
made alongthe way.
Aftera mini-celebration,you’ll be juicedupforyournextgoal withrenewedvigorandconfidence.

7. 14. Act confident.
We all have dayswhere nothingseemstogoright.Whenthishappens,ourself-confidence cansuffer.
On dayslike these,whenall else fails,actconfidentanyway.
Perhapsyou’ve heardthe statement,“Fake it‘til youmake it!”Withrespectto yourself-esteem,
sometimesfakingitactuallydoesmake youfeel better!
Actionsthatmake you lookconfidentcanmake youfeel more confidentaswell:
1. Smile.Givingsomeone aconfidentsmile will make youfeel better,too.Besides,youcanonly
fake a smile forsolong before itbecomesreal!
2. Helpsomeone.Helpingothersfeel bettermayalsogive youa boost.Plus,there’snothinglike
the feelingyougetwhenyousee someone’seyeslightupbecause youdidsomethingthatmade
a difference intheirlife!
3. Dress forsuccess.Evenif you don’tcare whatyou looklike ona badday, make the effortto
looknice anyway.Notonlywill youfeel betteraboutyourself,butotherswill respondtoyou
more positively,bringingyouevenmore confidence.
Note:
Followingthese confidence boostingstrategieswill upliftyouinmore waysthan youcan imagine.With
more confidence,you’ll discoverthatyou’re suddenlyable toconqueroldproblemswitheaseand
achieve whatyouonce thoughtwasimpossible.Plus,you’llfeelhappierandmore fulfilled!
Some of these strategiesmayseemoverwhelmingatfirst,butdon’tletthatstop youfrom gainingthe
confidence youdeserve.Plantoimplementjustone strategyeachweekintoyourdailyroutine.