Self-confidence is the first requisite to great undertakings.
– Samuel Johnson
When you don’t believe in yourself, nothing seems possible. Even if you really want to do something, you end up being the person holding yourself back. You think of all the reasons why it won’t work, instead of telling yourself that if you try hard enough, it would. Even if you’re lucky enough to have people around you that believe in you, it doesn’t help much if you lack self-confidence. Without it you can get nowhere in life.
If you’re such a person, you should try and change yourself. Don’t worry, it’s something that can be learned and mastered. Once you gain self-confidence, you’d be blown away with how your life changes for the better. Below are a few things that you could do to boost your confidence:
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Look good, feel good
I think this is something everyone must have experienced. I know I have. If I’m not looking my best, I tend to avoid certain situations and certain people too, otherwise I feel no hesitation. What we need to realize is that looking good has nothing do with your size/shape. Just adopt what compliments you and what you’re comfortable with. Be confident about your look without any regard to what other people might think.
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Replace negative thoughts with positive ones
Nothing brings you down more than that tiny voice in your head questioning the possibility of every imaginable thing. Learn to silence that voice, it won’t get you anywhere. If there’s something you’d like to try and have been holding it off thinking that you might not do so well, you’ll never know unless you actually do it. Focus on the ways it could actually work. Talking to yourself helps build up confidence. Keep telling yourself that you have it in you to do anything you want, and you just might do it.
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Set achievable goals
A good way to gain self-confidence is to set a goal and then achieve it. It kind of assures you of your own abilities. You trust yourself to be capable of accomplishing a lot more. This actually works as a stepping stone for you. Instead of being scared of challenges, you then begin to remind yourself that if you’ve done that, you can do this as well. Gradually, you’ll have done things your old timid-self might never have been able to do.
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Don’t ever belittle yourself
Acknowledge all your achievements regardless of how insignificant they might seem. Don’t beat yourself up over something you couldn’t do right, keep trying. Don’t give up. Don’t ever doubt your abilities. If you don’t believe in yourself no one ever will. Don’t compare yourself with others. Your lives are very different. They might be good at something you have trouble with, but at the same there would be things that you excel at and they don’t. Just focus on your strengths and exploit them. Keeping working on your weaknesses until you have none left.
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Take risks
It is in fact easier said than done. But it just opens up so many possibilities. Focus on what you can gain rather than on what you could lose and you’ll have the motivation you need to see it through. Taking risks is one of the best ways to get over all your fears. Once you conquer you fears, there’s nothing in the world that can stop you from doing anything.
Even if at times it does not work out, it’d teach you how to deal with a loss. Even in this situation, you learn to get over the fear of losing something. Just keep learning from your mistakes, and trust your instinct.
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Surround yourself with inspirations
What better way to foster self-confidence than constantly being inspired. There could be a job you’ve been meaning to try for, but you just can’t stand the thought of not getting it. That person you’ve been meaning to ask out, but the fear of rejection keeps you from doing so. That piece of music you’ve been meaning to play for concerned people, but you’re afraid that they won’t like it. You need to get over your fears and think of how great it would be if things worked out. A good thing would be to surround yourself with people whom you aspire to be like, and people who are confident in themselves and even in you.
Confidence is crucial in all aspects of your life. You can never attain anything without it. Self-confidence gives you a sense of overall well-being. So step out of your comfort zone, try something you’ve never done before. Rely on your instincts. Never be scared of taking a risk. Don’t be overwhelmed by unexpected issues, there’s always a way out. Challenge yourself every now and then. Remind yourself of your qualities and triumphs. Stay positive. Empower yourself with knowledge. Don’t let people’s judgments get to your head. Just do your thing and be confident.
