Confidence can be a tough thing to build up. If you lack assurance and are low on self-esteem, read on because here are some easy ways to boost your confidence.
1. Boost your self-image.
Change how you see yourself especially after a setback or a “failure”. The best way to boost your self image after a setback is to write down all your accomplishments and star qualities. It’s easy to lose confidence if you believe you haven’t achieved anything. Make a list of all the things you’re proud of in your life and put it on your computer desktop or near where you spend most of your time. You can also make a list of all the things you should be grateful for. The benefits of gratitude on your overall health and happiness are truly amazing.
2. Think Positively
Replace negative thoughts with positive ones. Negative self-talk can limit your abilities and lessen your confidence by convincing your subconscious that you “can’t handle” something or that it is “too hard” and you “shouldn’t even try.” Self-talk that is optimistic, on the other hand, can help foster self-compassion, overcome self-doubt, and take on new challenges. The next time you begin to think that you have no business speaking up in a meeting or that you are too out of shape to work out, remind yourself that your thoughts aren’t always accurate. Then find a way to turn those thoughts around into more positive self-talk. Change your “I can’ts” to “I can”, “All I have to do is try”, “At least I learnt something”, etc.
3. Set Realistic Goals
You know your talents and strengths. Set your goals to match these. Reject those that are just beyond your skills set and capabilities, qualifications, or experience. This is where you can realistically assess your weaknesses and build on your strengths.
4. Avoid Comparison; Accept who you are
Social comparison theory explains that making comparisons is natural. But it isn’t likely to help boost your self-confidence. It may even have the opposite effect instead. The more you compare yourself or your life to others who you feel are doing better than you, the more you feel bad about yourself. How then do you build confidence when you notice that you are drawing comparisons? First remind yourself that life is not a competition, and everyone is running their own race. Another way is to celebrate your strengths and successes. Finally, embrace your flaws and give yourself some compassion. Self-acceptance allows you to enjoy your own journey.
5. Surround yourself with positive people
Take a moment and think about how your friends make you feel. Do they lift you up, or do they bring you down? Are they constantly judging you, or do they accept you for who you are? The people you spend time with can influence your thoughts and attitudes about yourself, perhaps more than you realize. So, pay attention to how others make you feel. Find people who make you feel good about yourself and avoid those who tend to trigger your negative thinking.
6. Empower yourself with Knowledge
Empowering yourself, in general, is one of the best strategies for building self-confidence. You can do that in many ways, but one of the surest ways to empower yourself is through knowledge. By becoming more knowledgeable, you’ll be more confident and you become more knowledgeable by doing research and studying. The Internet is a great tool, of course, but so are the people around you, people who have done what you want. Books, magazines, and educational institutions are great resources as well.
7. Take care of your body and invest in your well-being
It’s hard to feel good about yourself if you’re abusing your body. If you practice self-care, you know you’re doing something positive for your mind, body, and spirit and you’ll naturally feel more confident as a result.
If you feel like your self-esteem is low, don’t get stuck thinking your self-esteem will never change or that it’s too hard to change. It isn’t. Here’s a bonus tip: Fake it until you make it. Sometimes just playing the part of “confident you” can help “confident you” to blossom.
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