April 26, 2020 3 min read
Self-confident people are admired by others and inspire confidence in others. They know that no matter what obstacles come their way, they have the ability to overcome them. Self-confident people tend to see things in a positive light even when things aren't going so well, and they are usually happy with themselves.
Wouldn't it be amazing to have that kind of confidence, every day of the week? Guess what? You can. It comes down to one simple question: If you don't believe in yourself, how do you expect anybody else to?
With some time and a lot of practice (remember, it’s’ never easy), you can become a self-confident person whom others admire. Try some of the tips listed below.
A great place to start is to reevaluate your inner circle, including friends and family. This is a tough one, but it's time to seriously consider distancing yourself 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. Seek out people who support you and make you feel better about yourself and your potential.
Be positive, even if you're not feeling it quite yet. Put some positive enthusiasm into your interactions with your friends and family. This might not feel natural, but others will perceive your energy as confident and happy. Stop focusing on the problems in your life and instead begin to focus on solutions and making positive changes.
This is where posturing, smiling, eye contact, and speech slowly come into play. Studies show that 55% of communication is non-verbal - just because you aren’t talking does not mean you aren’t saying anything!
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. One good exercise is to imagine a person with good posture and a smile sitting with you and asking about your life - you are envisioning someone who is self-confident.
Look at the person you are speaking to - keeping eye contact shows confidence. Last, speak slowly. Research has shown that those who take the time to speak slowly and clearly feel more self-confident and appear more self-confident to others. The added bonus is they will actually be able to understand what you are saying.
Go the extra mile and style your hair, give yourself a clean shave, and dress nicely. This can be annoying and even difficult for some people, but others will notice the difference and you will too. Not only will this make you feel better about yourself, but others are more likely to perceive you as successful and self-confident as well.
Never give up. Never accept failure. There is a solution to everything, so why would you want to throw in the towel? It is hard to stay determined, so break this task into bite-sized pieces. 1 small success every day builds a foundation for bigger successes as you form positive habits. Succeeding through great adversity is a huge confidence booster.
Low self-confidence is often caused by negative thoughts running through our minds on an endless track. If you are constantly bashing yourself and saying you're not good enough, aren't attractive enough, aren't smart enough or athletic enough, and on and on, you are creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. You are becoming what you are preaching inside your head, and that's not good. The next time you hear that negativity in your head, switch it immediately to a positive affirmation and keep it up until you feel your self-confidence boost.