We’ve all had those days where we feel a little uncertain and unsure of ourselves. Or those times where we find ourselves super nervous which affects the way we perform. It could be before going to a big event or party, doing a presentation for work colleagues, going out on a blind date or taking a test. Understanding how to be confident is a vital life skill.
Having self-confidence and self-belief is so important. Getting up every morning, looking in the mirror and thinking ‘Yeah, I’ve got this’ makes such a difference. Not only to how you feel but also in how the outside world perceives you. If you give off an air of confidence, people are more likely to be attracted to you, pay attention to you, notice you, and generally to want to be around you more.
# Stop negative thoughtsWorry and fear are pointless and unhelpful. Try to block these negative thoughts and only focus on the things you can change. You can’t be a ray of sunshine all the time. The point is to keep negative thoughts in proportion and focus on your goals, on what you’ve got to be thankful for, and what you hope you achieve.
This helps you start each day in a positive and productive frame of mind and stop those negative, confidence crushing thoughts in their tracks.
# Live in the present
Stop dwelling on the past or dwelling on what might be. Instead, focus on what is happening right now. It’s good to learn from mistakes, and it’s good to have goals for the future. But if you tend to worry and fret or dwell and think negatively about what you can’t change, you won’t be doing your confidence any good!
# Have goalsHave different sets of goals to aim towards. Some should be small, daily goals. While others should be larger aspirations that take more time and effort. Focus on your goals and work on how to achieve them. Then, make sure each time you achieve a goal, however small, you take the time to congratulate yourself.
# Be gratefulIf you want to know how to be confident, you must take a moment to remember everything that you should be thankful for. Doing so helps us realize our lives are actually filled with great things. Don’t only think about external things, but also what you can be thankful for about yourself such as having your health, having great hair, earning a good salary, being a good partner, and so on!
# Push yourself
If you want to improve your self-confidence, step outside of your comfort zone once in a while. Doing things that feel nerve-wracking and overcoming our fears teaches us that really there is nothing to be afraid of! So, if there is something you want to do but are scared of doing then just be brave, bite the bullet and go for it!
# Be a problem solverWhen faced with obstacles, don’t be the person that immediately breaks down or gives up. Become a problem solver. Always think, ‘how can I get past this’ or ‘what can I do to resolve this?’ Thinking like a problem solver helps you crush those obstacles and lets nothing stand in your way.
# Recover quickerWe all suffer from setbacks from time to time. If something knocks your confidence, you get rejected, or something negative happens, learn how to get over it more quickly. Learn how to pick yourself back up, dust yourself off, and try again.
# Have someone you look up toHave a mentor or someone you aspire to be like. Keep them focused in your mind. Think about what they would do or how they would act in every situation.
# Spend time with positive, confident peopleThe people you spend time with have a direct impact on your life. If you want to be more confident surround yourself with people who are happy, positive, and have their lives sorted. Their energy will naturally rub off on you.
# Be preparedArm yourself with knowledge and do your research. This keeps you feeling more confident and able to tackle any tricky questions or situations. The more preparation you do, the more confident you feel.
# Stay healthyLook after yourself, eat healthy, get lots of exercise, and take care of your appearance. Looking and feeling good counts both on the inside and the outside.