10 ways to build self confidence

self confidence

I found this on PicktheBrain.com and I am a true believer of these 10 suggestions. Few examples: 1. I will be the first to tell you I have the HARDEST time getting ready everyday. But when I do, I feel 110% better, more confident, and more alert. 2. In college, the only way I could get through a class was to sit in the front row. I felt more confident about the subject and in my relationships with my professors. 3. Speaking up in school and at work has built my confidence tremendously. No, I was not always right… I had wrong answers a lot of the time. But most professors will say “yes… but…” to lessen the blow. hehe This also gets my mind going, constantly thinking of ways I can contribute. And my favorite piece of advice: Compliment others. “By looking for the best in others, you indirectly bring out the best in yourself. I hope you love this as much as I did!

So here we go ladies and gents, 10 ways to instantly build self confidence. Let’s all walk away from this with our head held high, shoulders back, and ready to take on the world.

1. Dress Sharp

Although clothes don’t make the man, they certainly affect the way he feels about himself. No one is more conscious of your physical appearance than you are. When you don’t look good, it changes the way you carry yourself and interact with other people. Use this to your advantage by taking care of your personal appearance. In most cases, significant improvements can be made by bathing and shaving frequently, wearing clean clothes, and being cognizant of the latest styles.

This doesn’t mean you need to spend a lot on clothes. One great rule to follow is “spend twice as much, buy half as much”. Rather than buying a bunch of cheap clothes, buy half as many select, high quality items. In long run this decreases spending because expensive clothes wear out less easily and stay in style longer than cheap clothes. Buying less also helps reduce the clutter in your closet.

2. Walk Faster

One of the easiest ways to tell how a person feels about herself is to examine her walk. Is it slow? tired? painful? Or is it energetic and purposeful? People with confidence walk quickly. They have places to go, people to see, and important work to do. Even if you aren’t in a hurry, you can increase your self confidence by putting some pep in your step. Walking 25% faster will make to you look and feel more important.

3. Good Posture

Similarly, the way a person carries herself tells a story. People with slumped shoulders and lethargic movements display a lack of self confidence. They aren’t enthusiastic about what they’re doing and they don’t consider themselves important. By practicing good posture, you’ll automatically feel more confident. Stand up straight, keep your head up, and make eye contact. You’ll make a positive impression on others and instantly feel more alert and empowered.

4. Personal Commercial

One of the best ways to build confidence is listening to a motivational speech. Unfortunately, opportunities to listen to a great speaker are few and far between. You can fill this need by creating a personal commercial. Write a 30-60 second speech that highlights your strengths and goals. Then recite it in front of the mirror aloud (or inside your head if you prefer) whenever you need a confidence boost.

5. Gratitude

When you focus too much on what you want, the mind creates reasons why you can’t have it. This leads you to dwell on your weaknesses. The best way to avoid this is consciously focusing on gratitude. Set aside time each day to mentally list everything you have to be grateful for. Recall your past successes, unique skills, loving relationships, and positive momentum. You’ll be amazed how much you have going for you and motivated to take that next step towards success.

6. Compliment other people

When we think negatively about ourselves, we often project that feeling on to others in the form of insults and gossip. To break this cycle of negativity, get in the habit of praising other people. Refuse to engage in backstabbing gossip and make an effort to compliment those around you. In the process, you’ll become well liked and build self confidence. By looking for the best in others, you indirectly bring out the best in yourself.

7. Sit in the front row

In schools, offices, and public assemblies around the world, people constantly strive to sit at the back of the room. Most people prefer the back because they’re afraid of being noticed. This reflects a lack of self confidence. By deciding to sit in the front row, you can get over this irrational fear and build your self confidence. You’ll also be more visible to the important people talking from the front of the room.

8. Speak up

During group discussions many people never speak up because they’re afraid that people will judge them for saying something stupid. This fear isn’t really justified. Generally, people are much more accepting than we imagine. In fact most people are dealing with the exact same fears. By making an effort to speak up at least once in every group discussion, you’ll become a better public speaker, more confident in your own thoughts, and recognized as a leader by your peers.

9. Work out

Along the same lines as personal appearance, physical fitness has a huge effect on self confidence. If you’re out of shape, you’ll feel insecure, unattractive, and less energetic. By working out, you improve your physcial appearance, energize yourself, and accomplish something positive. Having the discipline to work out not only makes you feel better, it creates positive momentum that you can build on the rest of the day.

10. Focus on contribution

Too often we get caught up in our own desires. We focus too much on ourselves and not enough on the needs of other people. If you stop thinking about yourself and concentrate on the contribution you’re making to the rest of the world, you won’t worry as much about you own flaws. This will increase self confidence and allow you to contribute with maximum efficiency. The more you contribute to the world the more you’ll be rewarded with personal success and recognition.

PicktheBrain.com is full of inspirational and motivational articles, go check it out!

Credit where credit is deserved: Photo by Tav Calico

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  1. Anita in SC says:

    I love these…….wish I had read these about 25 years ago!!!!

  2. Reblogged this on The Best Things Happen … while you're dancing and commented:
    This post speaks to me today. Any one else? Check it out!

  3. jessica hinck says:

    Absolutely love this! It is just what I needed to read, first thing in the morning!

  4. lindsay Goldfine says:

    Love this, I feel more confident already 😉

  5. Kristiann says:

    This is a great list! My confidence has grown just by reading it.

  6. abiainscough says:

    These are brilliant! I especially love number seven and number nine; sitting right at the front and working out every day are two things that I swear by! Brilliant post, thanks for sharing! P.S I think you’re quite brilliant 🙂

  7. I really like these! I had that – why didn’t I think of these moment 🙂

  8. efonnesbeck says:

    These are great! You find just the right things to post. am going to start EVERY ONE of these things TODAY. Well, today is busy, so maybe tomorrow.

  9. Thank you for putting substance like this out there. If you need help thinking about your contribution, you can think about how each of these tips has the potential to make a substantial impact on my life and that of my sons and husband and potentially the children and spouses and coworkers of all of the people who read it. Keep up the good work!

  10. Maryanne says:

    Love, love, and more love. I will share with my daughter!

  11. I need to work on all of those things! I love this post, I love your blog, and I love you. Can’t wait to be neighbors!

  12. Great article! I appreciate the read!

  13. tessairving says:

    Thanks for sharing this! Loved it. There’s tons of lists like this around, but most of them feel kind of overly-simplified and unhelpful, but this one really had some good points to actually be put into use.

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