Some days, you feel a little more doubtful than you usually do. Maybe you have multiple stresses that have accumulated, maybe you just had a bad day, or maybe it’s for no particular reason at all. Whatever the cause, everyone experiences a lack of confidence at one point or another. And the good news is that with a little bit of investment in yourself, boosting your confidence can be fun, easy and satisfying.
1. Get Energized
You know that feeling of being weighed down, lacking motivation and just not feeling your best. Well, a lot of that can be turned around with just 5-10 minutes of physical activity. Even putting on some music and dancing around your living room, or going for a light walk can get your confidence juices flowing. In the same way that moving around can energize you, resting or taking a short nap can have similar positive effects too.
2. Talk About It
Talking through personal issues with someone you trust can have a profound impact on confidence. Those who are open and candid about their shortcomings or perceived weaknesses are more often seen as assertive and confident through the eyes of their peers. So seek out somebody that you feel you can trust and open up about your feelings, the self-awareness developed through these practices is a major building block for your confidence.
3. Make a List of your Strengths
This is a quick and easy confidence booster. Simply take 10-15 minutes to write down all of the good, positive things about yourself. Your strengths, your passions, your ambitions, whatever comes to mind. You can stop there, or you can take the list and write 2-3 paragraphs in the tone like you are a reviewer giving yourself a five star review. Really sell yourself. Now read it out loud to yourself. The act of reading the paragraphs out loud solidifies it better in your brain and brings it into reality in a more physical way.
4. Get back to your roots
If you are feeling a little stressed and lacking the confidence you usually have, it could be you’ve forgotten about your passions and hobbies you used to enjoy. Life moves so fast that it’s easy to get caught up in drama, work and relationships. But taking a step back is important to reconnect to that excitement and joy within yourself. Maybe you used to enjoy tap dancing, skateboarding, or rock climbing! If you aren’t doing things you enjoy, take stock and start doing the activities you feel passionate about again.
5. Hypnotherapy
Hypnotherapy is often written off by those naive to it without proper consideration, but it’s been proven to be effective against a myriad of ailments such as anxiety disorders, mood disorders and addictions. The tone and sound of the practitioner’s voice is such that it puts the subject in the alpha state – the same state as when you dream. By putting the subject in this ultra relaxed state, the mind is more open and receptive to therapeutic suggestions and ideas. Often a short amount (or even one session) is enough to get you back on track.
6. Be Prepared
A lot of the time, our anxiety can get the best of us. It can cause us to jumble our words, lose our train of thought and appear not as confident as we could be. Writing down questions you may be asked in a job interview, or jotting down in point form what you are going to say to your boss before you say it can be very effective. Flying off the seat of your pants may seem appealing in the moment, but being regularly prepared is the mark of confidence.
7. Stand up Straight
It’s’ something you may have been told by your parents as a kid, but psychologists have proven this true. The straighter your posture, the greater your overall confidence. Amy Cuddy calls this “power posing,” and is something you can do anytime, before a job interview, before a date, when you wake up or before you go to bed. These poses affect your brain chemistry and hormone levels, causing a significant shift in attitude and outlook.
8. Make Eye Contact
Eye contact is important while having conversations. It shows that you are interested and respect the other person’s time. It also shows that you can be trusting and transparent. Just be sure to smile, as to not seem too intense, and look around the room every once in a while to prevent the other person from feeling uncomfortable. Even when you’re not feeling confident, giving proper eye contact will make you seem more confident that you are feeling.
9. Dress for Success
You’ve heard of dressing not for the job you have, but for the job you want to have. This is a sound piece of advice for those wanting to feel more confident, seeking a promotion or just a change of career. Wearing nice clothes can influence your perception of yourself as well as other’s perception of you. Over time your self-esteem will grow and you may see yourself looking for that career change or a promotion.
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Marcus regularly writes about psychology, science and health topics that examines the latest research and explains how findings can impact and help individuals everyday lives.