Build Confidence with Strategies that Really Work
Wouldn't it be grand if we could just wake up in the morning,
brush our teeth and put on our confidence for the day?
Well, for those of us who don't have a drawer full, here are 4
simple strategies that will help you build confidence.
1. Accentuate the positive.
Be your own best friend. What do you tell a friend who's tried
something new, whether or not it turned out well? At least you
tried something new- good for you!
Accentuate the effort it took in doing something, rather than
the final outcome. (You'd do it for your best friend, wouldn't
you?) We all have limitations. The key is to accept that you
have them without dwelling on them.
2. Don't be afraid to take some risks.
When you are about to embark on a new experience, do you spend
your time worrying so much about the outcome you aren't enjoying
the moment? If you look at new things in your life as a chance
to learn something, it opens up the possibility of you becoming
good at that something.
If you spend your time dreading the outcome, you'll turn any
opportunity there might have been into a failure. What's more,
we can't grow when we are frozen with fear. Don't set yourself
up to fail. If you do, look at number one, again!
3. Use self-talk to keep assumptions away.
We all use self-talk. The key is to use it in a way that we
don't form bad thoughts that can lead to permanent doubts. Catch
yourself using negative self-talk and cancel it with something
positive and not based on assumptions!
Build confidence by not expecting perfection from yourself at
all times. You can only do your very best at something. Nobody
can do everything perfectly, so why do you assume that you
should be able to?
4. Learn to rely on your self-evaluation.
If you always rely on the opinion of others, you'll always be
wondering what they think! That does nothing to build confidence
- it tears it down, by giving away your personal power to
others.
Focus on the real you, inside, to find out how you feel about
your own actions, how you've been doing your job, etc. You'll be
developing a strong sense of who you are.
It's important to remember that no one can be self-confident all
of the time. In fact, you'll build confidence faster and easier
once your realize that.
Most people with low self-esteem or who lack in confidence are
that way because of unrealistic expectations. They expect more
from themselves than they do others.
A person with low self-esteem will think nothing about calling
him or herself a 'stupid idiot.' They wouldn't dream of saying
that to someone else. To build confidence it's a good idea to be
your own best friend.