ways
to become a more
confident
person
We all haue two liues - the life we liue and the life we want.
But anxiety and self-doubt can preuent us from reali;ing our
potential and leading happier, more fulDlling liues.
It you're keen on boosting your confidence — there's good news: like any
other skill, confidence can be built and improved upon. Here•s how to start.
Express yourself
left unchecked, poor self-confidence can stop you trom living your lite.
Good self-confidence, on the other hand, allows you to
achieve the real goals in your lite — whatever they may be.
The 3 biggest myths about self confidence
"It's something
you're born with. "
Wrong - self-confidence is
something that can be
learned, just like anything
else.
"I'd feel more
confident if I
knew I'd
succeed at
something
new. "
9
Not true — it might be harder to
get back on the ladder, but
you'll rise again harder and
stronger tor it.
"Once it's gone,
it's gone for
good. "
9
Wrong again - how can
you know you•ll succeed it
you've never tried? Learn
to embrace the
excitement ot uncertainty.
Bg acting with a little more confidence in dimcult situations,
you can subtly transform your life from the inside out.
Building confidence:
a day-to-dag approach
At work
Whether starting a new job or dealing with a dimcult
co-worker, work can test your self-assurance.
1. Lead with your strengths
9
9
How:
How:
Work to your strengths — organlze your
day to focus on what you're good at.
Why:
Remlndlng yourself of past
successes wlll keep you engaged,
posltlve and self-assured.
2. Monitor your success
CHECK us-r
Start each day by maklng a reallstlc
to-do '1st that you can tlck off as you go.
Why:
Every time a Job Is crossed
off, you're addlng to a vlslble
pattern of high achlevement.
Day-to-day
we all want to be more conDdent when seeing friends and meeting
new eo [e, so takealeo and ut ourselt out there.
3. Talk to different people
H ow:
On your next grocery run, strlke up
a conversation wlth the cashier.
Why:
You'll reallze the malorlty of people
are friendly, and there's actually
nothlng to fear. The more you make
the effort, the easier It will become.
4. Try something new
How:
Look onllne for what group actlvltles
happen locally and slgn up to some.
Why:
Dolng Is the dlfference between
becomlng the self-confldent person
you'd Ilke to be, and no change at all.
Parties and nights out
NO one likes feeling left out of the action. sociali;ing and joining in
might seem hard, but you just need to get the ball rolling.
5. Be spontaneous
9
How:
Rather than thlnklng of
reasons not to go, attend the
next event you're Invlted to.
Why:
Your mind will be less cluttered wlth
plannlng and what-Its. Thlnklng on
your feet WI" become natural,
making It easler to cope with
unknown sltuatlons that arlse.
6. Focus on body language
How:
Keep a good posture, smlle,
malntaln eye contact and take
tlme when speaklng.
By dolng these simple things, you
WII' not only feel more confident,
but appear more confldent.
9
Vacations
I-eaue your worries with the routine of daily life.
Build confidence whilst hauing an aduenture.
7. Venture somewhere different
How:
Book a vacation to a new destlnatlon
that will requlre you to be assertlve.
Why:
Avoldlng tourist destlnatlons WII'
force you to talk to strangers, try
exotlc thlngs, and glve you a
confldence boost that wlll
follow you back home.
8. Trauel solo
How:
For your next vacatlon, go alone -
self-rellance builds self-confldence.
Why:
Self-confidence Is a by-product of
Immerslng yourself In unknown
terrltory, away from famlllar routines.
-o
Physical actiuities
Talking and sociali;ing aren't the only wags to build confidence. Taking on
a physical challenge is a sure-fire way to giue you a confidence boost.
9. Get fit with others
9
How:
Joln a local team In a sport that you
either excel In or are passlonate about.
Why:
Team sports rely on cooperatlon
and communlcatlon, meaning
you'll have to get yourself out there
to strateglze with your team.
10. Test yourself
How:
Partlclpate In a demandlng outdoor
actlvlty, such long dlstance hlklng,
survlval camplng or rock cllmblng.
Why:
Going out of your comfort zone to
accompllshlng a dlfflcult challenge,
set by yourself, wlll glve you an
unrivalled boost of confidence.
Rome wasn't built in a day, and the same goes for building confidence.
By taking note of every success, no matter how small,
you can remoue anxiety's inßuence ouer your life.
"Once we believe in ourselves, we can risk curiosity,
wonder, spontaneous delight, or any experience
E.E. Cummings
that reveals the human spirit."
Sources
Anxiety and Depression Association of America. (2015). Facts and statistics. adaa.org
Anxiety and Depression Association of America. (2015). Social anxiety disorder. adaa.org
Bailey, R. (2014). Do sports and other physical actiuities build self-esteem? psychologytoday.com
De Bruin, D. (2015). Ouercoming shyness: how to feel more confident. tinybuddha.com
Economy, P. (2014).5 powerful ways to boost your confidence. inc.com
National Institute of Mental Health. (2015). Any anxiety disorder among adults. nimh.nih.gou
National Institute of Mental Health. (2015). What are Anxiety Disorders? nimh.nih.gou
Health Fitness Reuolution. (2015). The health benefits of skydiuing. healthbtnessretnlution.com
Morin, D. g Sander, V. (2015). The complete guide on how to be more outgoing: building a strong self
confidence in social situations. socialpronow.com
Nguyen, V. (2013). How to be confident, meet people, and innuence others. selfstairway.com
Return of Kings. (2015). The one way to build true confidence. returnofkings.com
Smith, J. (2013).10 ways to be more confident at unrk. forbes.com
Tohami, M. A. (2012).7 smart ways to build self confidence. pickthebrain.com
Trauel-Soul-Therapy. (2015). Increase self-confidence with traueL trauel-soul-therapy.com
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