If you want to accomplish great things in life and become the best you can be, then you need to build self confidence first. The reason behind this is that having a weak self-perception can sabotage us from carrying out critical steps to our success. Without confidence, we become hesitant to accept opportunities, we doubt our abilities to get things done and we even wonder if we deserve to succeed! Here are five steps you can undertake to start building your confidence:
- Practice your speech and speak up! One effective way to build self confidence is by working on your oral communication skills. Being articulate has a way of making it easier for us to muster the courage to speak up in group conversations or even in large meetings. Look up schools that offer speech courses or hire a private mentor to help you. Practice public speaking in a small class until you feel you can take on larger groups. This is an excellent method of attacking any negative self-perception that invades less experienced people and makes them balk at talking in front of other people. The more people you get used to listening to you, the less scared you become.
- Stop hiding! Sit in the front row, don’t select the table at the very back, and don’t try to blend in with the wallpaper. People who possess a healthy self-perception are not wilting wallflowers. They don’t hide in the back or make themselves scarce at parties and meetings. You can tell who has a winning, go-getter attitude just by looking at where a person chooses to place himself in gatherings. He’s right there front and center and mingling with people. If you want to be like that person, then come out of your shell. Sure, it might be scary at first, but in order to build self confidence you need to get out there and hone your social skills. Remember that nothing ever comes out of hiding. The more you hide, the more self improvement opportunities you’ll miss!
- Exercise! Physical activity is an excellent and easy way to build self confidence. It releases endorphins, the happy hormones responsible for giving us that “glow”, and keeps us fit and trim. Completing a workout, a marathon or any challenging physical activity gives us that sense of accomplishment, which helps build a healthy self-perception. Make exercise a regular part of your routine. You don’t have to join a gym and pay costly membership fees in order to get fit, though. You can work out in your own home, jog around the neighborhood or use the exercise facilities in your university.
- Build your brand and image. Think of famous people – actors, musicians, models, and politicians – who built their names by having a brand – that trademark quality of theirs that makes them stand out from the herd. It could be the quirky way they sing or dress or talk. It could be their political platform which is so unique from the hackneyed declarations of other aspiring candidates. You don’t have to go to extreme lengths to make yourself stand out. You can create your own brand and image by highlighting one quality of yours and making it your selling point. For example, would you like to be known as the polished and poised party hostess who has a knack for throwing the best parties in town? Or would you rather be seen as someone with more altruistic inclinations, ready to do volunteer work at a moment’s notice? Being recognized and appreciated for something can truly help build self confidence and make you feel you serve a purpose.
- Stop slouching! Your poor posture sends signals to your brains that you’re not good enough. This won’t do anything for developing your self-perception, so start sitting in your chair properly. Whatever position you are in, make sure you are not stressing your spine. Remember that good posture goes beyond keeping your spine healthy; it also impacts the way you present yourself to the world. Picture yourself slouching in the waiting room of an office where you’re in line for a job interview. What impression does that give to Human Resources and management? Definitely not a good one! Always think of how your posture is making you look in the eyes of others.
Don’t be in a rush to develop confidence. You can’t just rush out of your shell and expect to transform yourself into a shining star; you need to work at it slowly but surely. On days when things are not going your way, turn to trusted loved ones for support. Get as much morale boosting as possible to fuel you for the challenges ahead, and always maintain a positive mindset. Good luck.
How to Build Self Confidence in Five Easy Steps