Having confidence means knowing your own self-worth, what you’re good at and conveying it to others. But who has the time to explore their self-confidence? We’re living at a time when appearances can be deceiving, and it’s very easy to lose yourself in all the hype of how we should dress and talk and eat and act - social media has everything laid out for us.
Everyone’s self-confidence fluctuates every now and then. Let’s be honest, who isn’t afraid of failure? But confident people know how to overcome that fear. They have a set of ideals and values they follow, and aren’t afraid to speak their mind. They know their likes and dislikes, their passions and beliefs. Confident people don’t seek others’ approval before their own. Their happiness doesn’t depend on how others see them.
On the other hand, they’re accepting of constructive criticism because they know how to use it and become stronger for it. Confident people praise the success of others, and rarely judge or are overly critical of what other people do or say. Needless to say, they avoid negative people since negativity can be contagious and powerful.
Those who have a high sense of self-confidence aren’t afraid to ask for help. They’re aware that they don’t know everything there is to know, and that it’s okay to seek the help of others. Another great quality of confident individuals is that they don’t shy away from new experiences. They try new things and are open to new ideas. And if they make a mistake, they use it as a learning experience.
They’re constantly challenging themselves, and as a result, enjoying more of what life has to offer. It could be they’re learning a new language or how to play the guitar; the point is they embrace life and are living it, instead of just skimming on the surface.
When you’re comfortable in your own skin, people tend to sense it and somehow take some of that confidence with them into their own lives. Killing off negative thoughts becomes second nature. At the same time, replacing that negativity with a more positive, balanced outlook on life becomes easier. And the more you feed the positive, the stronger it becomes, boosting with it your self-respect and worth.
You know that saying, “practice makes perfect.” Well, it goes for building up your self-confidence as well. Through continual practice, your confidence increases and you become adept at listening to your inner voice. Some of the things you do every day can either make or break your confidence, such as:
- Smile and make eye contact. When you’re talking to someone, or a group of people, a key ingredient to bolstering your self-confidence is by looking your audience in the eye and smiling. When people feel that you’re connecting with them on some level, they tend to relax a bit, listen better, and take in that self-assurance you exude.
- Take care of yourself. Personal hygiene is fundamental because when you feel good about how good you look and smell, your confidence will shine through.
- Exercising and a healthy diet are also crucial to having a well-balanced sense of self.
- Good posture. Studies show that those who lack self-confidence tend to slump their shoulders to avoid attention. Pull your shoulders back and take a deep breath. That’s all you need to shine.
- Help others. When you help a stranger, or even someone you know, you get a better sense of who you are in the world and how much we truly depend on one other. Feeling that connection can give you feeling that you can do anything.
- Discover new things. Learning is an ongoing process. And the more you learn, the more empowered you’ll become. Read, take courses, meet new people - it’s up to you.
- Be prepared. Make a “Handy Helper” type of list so you’re ready whenever you’re faced with a problem at work or in your personal life, you can use it to get you back on track, like a backup plan. Knowing that you have something whenever you face a tough situation will bolster your self-confidence and enable you to go into any situation with more self-reliance and composure.
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