Tips for Building Self-confidence
Self-confidence is something that many people struggle with building. They find it difficult to believe in their own abilities, knowledge, judgment, and power. Fortunately, there are several ways you can increase your self-confidence. However, it is not a quick process. Building self-confidence takes time and effort. It entails changing your mindset. And changing your mindset about your own abilities is not the easiest thing to do, but it can be the most empowering.
Below are some tips for building self-confidence. Remember, it takes time and effort. However, the more activities you do to increase your self-confidence, the quicker it will increase and the stronger it will be.
Be positive
Think and act positively. Adopt a more positive mindset by focusing on your achievements and successes. Do not dwell on your setbacks or failures. Use setbacks or failures as learning experiences from which you can grow. Never allow others to make you feel inferior. Think and speak positively about yourself, about your future, and about your progress towards your goals. By talking about your positive attributes with others, you reinforce those notions in your own mind and subconsciously foster growth in a positive direction.
We all have our down moments, moments of doubt, and uncertainty about our future. When that happens, give yourself a pep talk. Remind yourself of the positives. Remember past successes. Remind yourself that everyone goes through such moments. Stay positive!
Be Friendly
Be friendly and approachable. Smile. Say “Hi.” People genuinely like others who are friendly and approachable. They like those who reach out to them and say “hello” and ask how they are doing. Give other people compliments. Get in the habit of noticing and praising other people when they do well. These social interactions not only make others feel good, they also make you feel good. By doing these simple things, you become well-liked by others which builds self-confidence. Ironically, by looking for the best in others, you indirectly bring out the best in yourself.
Interact with optimistic people
Interact with others who are optimistic and positive. Befriend those who have confidence in themselves and in you. Seek out others who make you feel good about yourself. Those who are uplifting to talk to and who encourage you to be who you are. Avoid those who lower your self-confidence and enthusiasm by putting down your abilities and highlighting your weaknesses. Others people’s words can be like fire; they can give you heat and warmth, or they can burn and destroy parts of you. Chose the warmth!
Help Others
If you want to feel good about yourself – help others! By helping others, you get a personal sense of satisfaction knowing you made someone’s life a little easier. The gratitude you get from them builds your self-worth, and feeling valuable builds self-confidence. Also, by focusing on the contribution you are making to others, you do not focus as much about your own faults. The more you help to others, the more you will be rewarded with personal success and recognition.
Accept yourself
Acknowledge and embrace your uniqueness. Know that you are one of a kind and you have special talents and abilities. Believe in who you are and why you are here. You are unique and are here to make your contribution to the world. It may not be huge, but it will shape the lives around you.
Walt Whitman answers the recurring question we all ask:
The question, O me! so sad, recurring—What good amid these, O me, O life?
Answer.
That you are here—that life exists and identity,
That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.
Emphasize Your Strengths
We all have good things about ourselves. Recognize and emphasize your strengths. Identify your talents and abilities. By focusing on what you do well, you begin to subconsciously feel good about yourself and your abilities. Make a plan to develop and excel at your strengths. Not only should you recognize your talents, but you should also think about the personality traits you have that make you great. It may be your compassion, generosity, or humor. Start by writing down all your positives attributes, abilities, strengths, and traits. Also, write down your recent successes and achievements. Review them on a regular basis so it is reinforced.
Set goals
Set goals for yourself. Setting and achieving goals is a great way for building self-confidence. Set challenging, but realist goals. This allows you to stretch your abilities while still achieving your goals. By reaching your goals, you become more competent and build confidence in your abilities. Your self-confidence increases when you know you can do what you put your mind to.
Take Risks
Take risks in life. Put yourself out there! Do not succumb to fear of failure. Approach new experiences with courage and belief in your abilities. View new experiences as opportunities to learn and grow. Doing so opens you up to new possibilities and chances to find out more about yourself. Not doing so diminishes your opportunities in life to find your true self.
Persevere
Remember everybody experiences setbacks and obstacles that they must deal with. Remember that life is full of bumps and hurdles. The more risks you take the more challenges you will face. Do not allow them to derail your golas or undermine your confidence. View them as opportunities to display your abilities. Overcoming adversity builds and strengthens self-confidence. It allows you to stretch your abilities, persevere, and become more than you thought you were.