#1 PRACTICE POSITIVE SELF TALK
There are many ways to be more confident. In this day and age there’s a ton of noise from social media. It feels like we’re in an era of constant comparison and FOMO. But if you want to be more confident, it starts with feeling good in your own skin.
How are others supposed to love and respect you if you don’t love and respect yourself? Start looking in the mirror. Give yourself a compliment each morning, or think of one thing you’re proud of yourself for.
You are you for a reason. Keep your head up high and start shifting your focus to see yourself in a more positive light, rather than nitpicking your flaws. You’re you, and that’s amazing. Embody that attitude. Try to focus on the things you love about yourself rather than the things you wish to change.
#2 DRESS TO FEEL GOOD
Appearance certainly isn’t everything, but dressing in something that makes you feel as good as you look can go a long way to boost your confidence. Whether you decide to dress for comfort or for style, dress in something that feels like you and that you’re not afraid to show off.
#3 GET GOOD AT SMALL TALK
Some people are naturally good at this and as an introvert myself, I envy those people. But small talk doesn’t have to be this dreaded thing. The more you practice it, the better you’ll be at it.
Small talk is simply being able to start a conversation and hold it. It can be about anything. It’s just surface level banter that helps you build rapport.
One hack for being good at small talk is learning to turn the conversation back to the other person. People love to talk about themselves. An easy trick to keep the conversation flowing is to get good at asking questions that gets the other person talking. Ask some easy open ended question, practice being an attentive listener, and let the conversation flow.
#4 ADJUST YOUR POSTURE
Shoulders back, chin up. Step into a room like you have a place to go and people to see even if you don’t. The simple act of keeping your head up and standing up tall can help you command a room. It tricks your brain into feeling more confident and secure in your own skin even if you’re a bit nervous.
#5 CHALLENGE YOURSELF
Maybe it’s getting that thing done you’ve been putting off for a while. Maybe it’s attending a new workout class or trying a new healthy food. It could even be trying that thing you’ve always wanted to try but haven’t. It might even be the thing you’re scared to try or you never made time for.
Whatever it is, make it a habit to get out of your comfort zone. The more you do this and the more you challenge yourself, the more comfortable you’ll become with being uncomfortable which will make being confident in unfamiliar situations, that much easier.
#6 ACCEPT YOUR FLAWS
This can be a tough since we live in a generation that constantly bombards us with information, ads, and marketing that tells us how to look and how to act. It’s difficult to sift through all that and remember what makes you unique.
Just remember, what makes you different is what makes you you. But accepting your flaws, or rather what you perceive to be flaws, is something that might take time since they’re often the root of many insecurities. Moving past them and being confident despite them, requires reframing your thinking, your mindset, and being grateful for what makes you different. You’ll have to focus on all the amazing qualities you have rather than what you feel you might lack.
Accept what you can’t change and start loving what makes you you. Flaws are only flaws because we choose to shine a negative light on them. Shift your mindset, focus on your strengths instead of your insecurities, and confidence will come.
#7 PRACTICE ACCEPTING CRITICISM
Taking feedback, particularly criticism is one way to help you gain confidence. Whether it’s from a boss, a coworker, a significant other, a teacher, or a friend, criticism can be difficult to hear. But when you look at negative criticism as a way to help you grow, it becomes something more helpful than hurtful.
Remember, people’s opinions are just that, opinions. And when they’re negative, you have to remember that what people say about you says a lot more about them. So take people’s negative opinions with a grain of salt.
On the other hand, constructive criticism can also be tough to hear. But, when you frame it as a learning opportunity and a chance to grow and better yourself, you’ll become more confident. This is because you’ll be less likely to focus on what you did wrong and instead, see it as a way to do better in the future.
#8 DON’T DWELL ON MISTAKES
We all make mistakes. Mistakes are inevitable. They’re human. They’re something that no one can escape. But it’s completely okay. And it’s completely normal.
Mistakes provide us opportunities to do better in the future and learn from our failed experiences. When we make mistakes we can problem solve ways to elevate ourselves and do better in the future, which ultimately makes us better versions of ourselves.
#9 PRACTICE GRATITUDE
You can never go wrong with this. A simple way to exude confidence is by simply being grateful. Be grateful for your strengths, your weaknesses, your humor, your hobbies, and all the little things. Things like being able to wake up to a brand new day, to eat all the yummy foods, and for the time you get to spend with those you love.
Being grateful can help to elevate your energy and keep you in the moment. It helps you view things through a more positive lens and that is a high vibe energy that’s difficult to shake.
When we learn to appreciate each day and appreciate all the things we’re able to do and experience, the difficult situations become easier. The uncomfortable, nerve racking, or challenging situations that may have sparked some insecurities, can be tackled with a newfound perspective and in turn, increased confidence.
#10 COME PREPARED
This applies to many situations but especially work or school. Set your alarm early, practice that speech, do your homework on time, and come prepared to the office or class. The more prepared you are for the day, the more confident you’ll be going into any situation or event you’ll face.
Preparation is one of the simplest ways to own the room and command attention from those around you. People respect put together and prepared people, and that respect can easily translate to increased confidence.
#11 SURROUND YOURSELF WITH SUPPORTIVE PEOPLE
An easy way to be more confident is by surrounding yourself with supportive individuals. Be it friends, colleagues, or teammates, good people who are supportive of your endeavors goes a long way to boost confidence.
Those close to us offer support that can help us be more brave and push us out of our comfort zone. Gaining confidence can be as simple as listening to a friend or family members words of encouragement. So, be mindful of the attitudes of the people you hang around, they can do a great deal to increase your confidence.
#12 SHIFT YOUR PERSPECTIVE
Of all the ways to be more confident, this is a game changer. Whenever you are in a nerve racking situation or feeling insecure, ask yourself one question. Will this matter in 5 years? If the answer isn’t a resounding yes, then take a deep breath. Relax, because it means whatever you’re dealing with in the moment isn’t as big a deal as it seems.
If in 5 years it won’t really matter, go forth with confidence. Know that whatever the outcome, things will be fine. Things will work out. And it really will be okay.
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