How to boost your confidence (16 steps)

· 1 Recognize your insecurities. What does that voice in the back of your mind say? Why do you feel
ashamed of yourself? This could be anything from getting rid of acne, your regretting attitude, being
over-weight or nagging friends at school. You need to identify reasons that make you feel unworthy,
ashamed and inferior. Just pen them down and name them. You can also tear these written pieces to
start feeling positive on those points.

· 2

Don't see yourself as inferior to others. Whether it is related to your work, school or socializing skills, be
conscious not to move around with a mindset that others are better or more qualified than you. To a
certain degree, it is good to walk around with a feeling of superiority. However, do not take this attitude
too far or else you would be perceived as a jerk.

· 3

Talk about it with friends and loved ones. Wear it on your sleeves. Practice to remove it everyday but
there is no quick fix. You need to find the root cause of the problem. You need to work on your
shortcomings before you can move on.

· 4

Remember that no one is perfect. Even the most confident person has certain insecurities. Lifes
circumstances make us realize that we lack something. Accept the reality as there are several bumps
down the life’s road.

· 5

Identify your abilities. Everyone is good at something. Try to discover what you excel in and then focus
on your talent. Learn to take pride in them. Give yourself credit for your successes. Inferiority is a state
of mind in which you have declared yourself a victim. Do not do that. Find something that interests you
or pick up art, music or writing to express yourself. Everyone is born with a specific ability. You can
develop and excel in yours. If naming your interest gets difficult, see what others enjoy doing or simply
move out of your comfort zone to join an enthusiasts club. Following your passion works as a therapy
making your mind feel unique and accomplished. This therapy in a way implants confidence in you.
Having multiple interests boosts your confidence and increases your chance of meeting compatible
friends.

· 6

Be thankful for what you have. At times, insecurity and lack of self-confidence stems from need for
emotional validation, simply luck, or money. By acknowledging and appreciating what you do have,
you can combat the feelings of being incomplete and unsatisfied. One needs to have a peaceful mind
rather than the worldly possessions. Just remember one thing that all of us are the blessed ones. It is
the path that creates all the difference.

· 7

Be Positive, even if you don't feel the same way. Self-compassion and sympathy from others is not the
answer here. Never allow others to make you inferior. Love yourself and speak positively about your
future progress and qualities. By doing so, you condition your mind for a positive outlook.

· 8

Accept compliments gracefully. Do not show any attitude. Take it to heart and respond positively.
"Thank you" or a smile works well.

· 9

Look in the mirror and smile. According to the ‘facial feedback theory’, facial expressions send strong
messages to the brain which in turn, would register them. A day-to-day smiling would make you content
and confident in the long run. Talking in front of the mirror too improves your communication skills.

· 10

I am gorgeous, huh?

Fake it. With that, acting confidently all times makes you start believing in yourself. Notice your feelings
and also how others perceive you.

· 11

Stick to your principles. Believing in principles does not stand for rigidness. It empowers you to stand
for a cause or else you would fall for anything. Build this habit today no matter in what area you are
heading.

· 12

Help others. Kind gestures to others make a positive difference in your life. Be thankful to the valet who
serves you the morning tea. Likely, you can provide a nearby elementary school with funds or
stationeries. Bake something for your neighbor for no reason. Confidence thus earned would be long-
lasting.

· 13

Don't Care What Other People Think Thinking from others point of view would only put you on hold.
Use your mind and do what you desire.

· 14

Remember Be ready to ignore innuendos for a simple reason that nobody is perfect.

· 15

Look at yourself in the mirror and list the positive qualities that you have. This would work on self-
worth.

· 16

Work hard. Keep on doing your work honestly. Have a target in your life and focus on it. Do anything to
reach that target and see how confidence surfaces.

Tips
∙ Exercise and eat healthy. Exercise raises endorphins and makes one feel happier and healthier.
It is certainly an easy and effective way to boost your self-confidence.
∙ When you are feeling terribly insecure, write down your positive traits and read them back. This
feedback would give you surprising results.
∙ Turn envious feelings into a desire to achieve. Do not crave for what others have but work
because you are in need of that.
∙ Do not be afraid to push yourself beyond your physical or mental limits. Such a pressure would
help you see how easily things can be achieved and thereby helps you hone skills.
∙ Take a wilderness experience course such as those found at Outward Bound or NOLS. Learning
how to survive in the wilderness will build your confidence in other areas of life too. You can
also try taking martial arts or fitness class/course (or both) to help build confidence and
strength.
∙ Condition yourself to talk positively about yourself. Every time your mind wanders and say you
are not apt at it, pause for a minute, undo those negative vibes and say you can do. At least you
should make an attempt to accomplish that daunting task. With that, you will learn more about
yourself.
∙ Everyone is beautiful in their own way. So do not let anyone tell you something otherwise.
Beauty is less important than qualities. Anyways, everyday feed your mind that you are
beautiful. The reverberations of such feeding would soon reflect on your face giving you a
stunning appearance.
∙ Material things like money, luck and beauty are society created illusions of happiness.
Possessing them gives you a comfortable life but they are not indicators of happiness. Having
branded products in your closet talks about your social position and is definitely necessary but in
the end your mind chases happiness. Happiness is simply a state of mind which you can have
even in absence of worldly pleasures. For happiness you need to enjoy every thing you do.
Happiness never existed outside but in the realm of your own mind. Clubbing is tagged as a fun
thing and it could be rightly so, if you enjoy it. Recall your childhood days when you never
bothered to look pretty or become rich. Those were ‘the good ole days’ when happily and
lovingly we used to get engrossed in fun games.
∙ You can do any work with aplomb if you continuously wear a smile on your face.
∙ Your first thought is your instinct. Always go by its verdict. Trusting your instinct will make you
confident and you can take a right decision at the right time.
∙ Practice good posture. Our body posture signal others whether we are active or are indolent
individuals. A simple habit to learn and implement is to stand and sit straight. Your proper body
posture will speak for you.
∙ Avoid perfectionism. Perfectionism paralyzes you and keeps you from accomplishing your goals.
∙ Write something on wikiHow.com. If you have a suggestion for anything, then share it. You will
feel good for contributing, helping someone and having your voice heard.
∙ Start your day on a positive note that you would do wonders today. Never think negative about
yourself.
∙ You can provide yourself with an extra dose of confidence by using the Best Me Technique of
self-hypnosis to pre-experience the rewards of a long-term goal, thereby reducing the stress.
∙ Self confidence increases with knowledge and perseverance. Improve your knowledge on
subjects that interests you.
∙ Be true and honest to yourself. Accepting your imperfections help you concentrate more on the
talents. Also accept yourself as you are and do not run after being perfect. Leave aside those
high ambitions, just work hard and you will definitely reach somewhere.
∙ Worrying about how others treat you, will only upset you. Instead, make friends with books and
music which would soothe your nerves too.
∙ Do not try to catch eyeballs by being loud. Instead keep your head up, smile and move on
because clearly they are missing out something phenomenal. Work hard and be happy.
∙ It may sound bizarre but comparison leads to a troubled mind or say troubled minds tend to
compare two entirely different things. Do not do that to yourself.
∙ Feel that you are awesome, even if people say awful things for you. Nobody is perfect, so why
be anxious about something that you are not.
∙ Find a balance between working to fulfill your aspirations and appreciating what you've already
achieved. It is important to set goals to better yourself, but it is just as important to
acknowledge what you already are.
∙ Be yourself. Never try to change yourself to get someone’s approval or acceptance. Never hide
your quirkiness. Be confident in your flaws as these flaws make you unique in this perishable
world.

Jul 10,2013