Self confidence gives us the freedom to commit mistakes and cope with
failure without making us feel worthless.If only we have confidence in
ourselves, can we gain confidence of others.
After all, most
people are reluctant to back a project thats being pitched by someone
who is nervous, fumbling and overly apologetic.
On the other
hand, you might be persuaded by someone who spoke clearly, who held his
or her head high, who answered questions assuredly, and who readily
admitted when he/she did not know something.
So where do you rate
yourself on the scale of 1-10 for your confidence level? Do you think
you fall in the low confidence bracket? Here is some good news for you.
And the good news is that self-confidence can be learned and built on.
Lets
start the process of building self-confidence. Remember there is no
quick fix solution for it. Nonetheless, practice makes a man perfect. So
all you have to do is try and implement the following given tips in
your day to day life.
Recognize your insecurities:
We
all have insecurities in life. It can be anything from acne, to
regrets, to friends at school. Giving a name to the things which make
you feel unworthy, ashamed or inferior helps to combat them. You can try
to pen down your thoughts and you will find that it makes you feel much
lighter and happier. Remember that no one is perfect. The man or woman
sitting next to you might have the same amount of insecurities as you
have. If writing doesnt come easily to you, you might want to talk it
out with your friends or loved ones. Sharing your thoughts will help
relieve the burden you have been carrying all alone.
Identify your successes:
No
matter how insecure you might feel, God has blessed each one of us with
some talent. Discover the things you are good at and then focus on
improving them. Give yourself permission to take pride in your talents.
Give yourself credit for your successes. Inferiority is a state of mind
in which youve declared yourself a victim. Do not allow yourself to be
victimized.
Be thankful for what you have:
A
lot of the times, at the root of insecurity and lack of confidence is a
feeling of not having enough of something, whether its emotional
validation, good luck, money, etc. By acknowledging and appreciating
what you do have, you can combat the feeling of being incomplete and
unsatisfied. Finding that inner peace will do wonders for your
confidence.
Be positive:
Avoid
self-pity or sympathy of others. Never allow others to make you feel
inferior they can only do so if you let them. If you continue to loathe
and belittle yourself, others are going to do and believe likewise.
Instead, speak positively about yourself, about your future, and about
your progress. Do not be afraid to project your strengths and qualities
to others.
Dress sharp:
Although
clothes don't make the man, they certainly affect the way he feels
about himself. When you dont look good, you dont feel good. It changes
the way you carry yourself and interact with people. This doesn'tt mean
you need to spend a lot on clothes. Rather than buying a bunch of cheap
clothes, buy half as many select, high quality items. In long run this
decreases spending because expensive clothes wear out less easily and
stay in style longer than cheap clothes.
Walk faster:
Your
gait tells a lot about your personality. Is it slow? Tired? Painful? Or
is it energetic and purposeful? People with confidence walk quickly.
They have places to go, people to see, and important work to do. You can
increase yourself confidence by putting some pep in your step. Walking
25% faster will make to you look and feel more important.
Compliment other people:
When
we think negatively about ourselves, we often project that feeling on
to others in the form of insults and gossip. Refuse to engage in
backstabbing gossip and make an effort to compliment those around you.
In the process, youll become well liked and build self confidence. By
looking for the best in others, you indirectly bring out the best in
yourself.
Take the front seat:
Back
benchers might seem to have a lot of fun in schools and colleges but
that does nothing to boost their self confidence. Don't be afraid to get
noticed. By deciding to sit in the front row, you can get over your
irrational fear of getting noticed and build your self confidence.
Speak up:
Its
a general observation that many people are afraid to speak or ask
questions in a group discussion or a public gathering. They are afraid
that they might be judged for saying something stupid. Generally, people
are much more accepting than we imagine. In fact most people are
dealing with the exact same fears. By making an effort to speak up at
least once in every group discussion, you'll become a better public
speaker, more confident in your own thoughts, and recognized as a leader
by your peers.
Work out:
A
healthy mind resides in a healthy body. If you are fit, you are
surrounded by positivity and energy. If you are out of shape you feel
unattractive. This leads to demoralization. Just a little discipline in
your life can help shape up your self confidence in a big way.
Smile:
Last
but not the least; try to smile as much as possible. People are always
appreciative of a smiling face. You will be welcomed by anyone who comes
in your contact. A smiling face is always received with warmth and
affection. Acceptance and recognition from others helps in building self
confidence.