CONFIDENCE: 8 Psychological tips to build it up

Confidence?is something we all struggle with from time to time. We want to feel sure of ourselves, but those little whispers of?self-doubt?show up whenever we want to put ourselves out there, take risks, or try something new.

Cultivating confidence is the first step toward healthy?self-esteem?and personal growth, but it isn’t easy for most people. In order to foster confidence, you may have to do something you’ve never done or think in a way you haven’t thought.

Self-confidence is a superpower. Once you start to believe in yourself, the magic starts happening.

To help you on your journey to becoming more confident, here are eight suggestions to get you started:

1. FACE A FEAR

Fear?is usually at the root of a lack of self-confidence. When you’re scared of the outcome of something, you aren’t likely to go into it feeling assured. Until you face your fear head-on, it controls you and makes the voice of self-doubt louder.

Think about a fear you faced and recall how you felt afterward. Perhaps you felt liberated and proud; you might have even wanted to do the thing you were afraid of again.

Make a commitment to do something that scares you every day, once a week, or once a month and watch your confidence quickly grow.

2. BEFRIEND FAILURE

If you haven’t failed, you haven’t tried. In order to truly be successful, you have to be comfortable with the possibility of failure. The more you fail, the more you’ll learn and grow. Accept your mistakes and use them to propel you forward.

Failure often seems like the end of the road, but it’s probably just the beginning. Once you accept the initial disappointment, you’ll be able to move forward better equipped to succeed the next time. By taking risks and being willing to fail, you’ll learn to believe in yourself and your capabilities.

3. DOUBT YOUR DOUBT

Doubt is the enemy of confidence. It keeps us feeling uncertain and, sometimes, even makes us a bit cynical. If you start doubting yourself, counteract it by doubting your doubt. Question the truth of what your doubt is saying to you.

Perhaps your doubt is saying, “Oh, I’m really not good at this.” Question those limiting beliefs whenever they arise. You’ll likely realize there aren’t many facts to back up the doubtful assertion.

4. AFFIRM YOUR STRENGTHS, TALENTS, AND ACCOMPLISHMENTS

People who lack self-confidence tend to focus more on their weaknesses than their strengths. Make a list of your strengths, talents, and accomplishments. Be honest with yourself and try reading from this list daily to remind you of your greatness. We tend to believe in messages we are constantly exposed to—just ask an advertising executive.

Your confidence is influenced tremendously by your daily thoughts, especially recurring thoughts. Consistency is key to lasting change. If you want to be more confident, make a habit of reminding yourself of your unique gifts and abilities.

5. EMBODY CONFIDENCE

Fake it ’til you make it. Ever heard that phrase?

If you want to?be?more confident,?feel?more confident. When you find yourself feeling nervous and unsure, stop for a moment, close your eyes, and think of a time when you felt confident and self-assured. Use all of your senses to bring you back to that moment. In doing this, you’ll be more able to cultivate that feeling in the present moment.

Also, consider your posture. Choose a body posture that looks and feels confident. Next, think about your clothing and style. Dress to impress—yourself! Dress in a way that makes?you?feel good. If you look good to you, you’ll feel good, and feeling good often leads to higher self-confidence.

6. LISTEN & WATCH TO EMPOWERING MEDIA

Music is great for evoking emotion. When you want to feel more confident, turn on some music that lifts you up, or watch motivational videos, or speeches to help up lifting your emotions and mood, you will find a lot on Youtube or any podcast application you may be using. Limiting your access to stressful news and people helps a lot as well.

7. SET A REALISTIC GOAL AND TAKE ACTION TO ACHIEVE IT

Your achievements contribute greatly to your feelings of self-confidence. By making a commitment and following through with it, you’ll learn to trust yourself and your abilities more. By not following through on a commitment we make to ourselves, we lose trust and faith in our abilities, and our confidence suffers as a result.

New?habits?take a significant amount of time, effort, and dedication to cultivate. When setting new goals, be realistic and make sure that your goals are attainable. Start slowly and set small goals that you can build on. By following through with your commitments, no matter how small, you’ll learn to trust yourself and gain confidence in what you’re capable of achieving.

8. MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Do something to give back and contribute to society. Consider volunteering or making a donation to your favorite charity. Do something for someone else. It doesn’t have to be a major contribution.

By making a personal contribution, it reminds you that your individual choices have an impact on the world. Realizing your true significance as an individual will empower you and increase your feelings of self-confidence.

Article's Source: Good Therapy