Self-Confidence Builders:
6 ways you can start feeling better about yourself, starting now
When your self-confidence soars, everything benefits – your body,
your relationships, possibly even your pocketbook.
Here are six simple things you can do today to build your
self-confidence.
1. Listen to the way you talk to yourself. Experts say that a full 70 to
80% of our thoughts are negative, and that can eat away at your
self-confidence - day in and day out. It may sound corny, but changing
your inner monologue can help your self-confidence in untold ways.
Here are some ideas:
- Set a timer for random, intermittent periods of time. When the alarm
goes off, immediately tune in to find out what you were thinking about.
If it’s negative, make a conscious effort to bring your thoughts
immediately into something more positive.
- Write your own affirmations. Say them twice daily – or record them
into a tape recorder and listen to them in your car or while doing daily
chores.
- Ask a friend to listen for negativity in your conversations. When
negativity crops up, immediately say something positive.
- Listen to
behavior modification audios that target negative self-talk. These
can be really effective – and come in both subliminal and non-subliminal
varieties.
2. Look your best. Superficial as it may sound, the way you feel about
your appearance on a daily basis can really build self-confidence. Go
through a stack of magazines and tear out photos of hairstyles and
clothing that are appealing to you. How can you incorporate some of
those images into your present look? It takes just minutes a day to
polish your appearance, and you’ll instantly look and feel more
self-confident. When you look and feel more confident, you’ll act more
confident. And when you act more confident, you’ll be more confident.
3. Stand up straight. When you are feeling down, you are more likely to
slouch and frown, which can make a bad mood even worse. Next time you
don’t feel like smiling, pull your shoulders back, stand tall, and
smile. Before you know it, your smile will be genuine. And you will be
exhibiting a more self-confident you to the world.
4. Examine the energy of your friends. What kind of energy do you emit
with friends? What kind of energy do your friends emit? Here’s a good
litmus test: How do you feel about yourself and the world immediately
after you leave the company of your friend? If you feel down and
critical, make an effort to be around more positive, self-confident
people. Their energy will rub off on you.
5. Catalog your positives. Make a long list of all the accomplishments
that you are proud of, and post it where you can see it every day. Now
make a list of the personality characteristics that you are proud of.
What makes you unique? Celebrate yourself and all the things that make
you, you – without trying to change them.
6. Be grateful. Start your day by jotting down 5 things you are looking
forward to. And end your day by writing 5 things you enjoyed. By
acknowledging the blessings in our lives, we get a sense for the bigger
picture and our larger life purpose, which is much, much more than the
day-to-day obstacles of our lives.