No matter how good you are at something, there are always those debilitating fears, anxieties and uncertainties that can literally build a wall between where you’re at now and where you want to be. Here are a couple of simple activities and habits to help you boost your confidence and self-esteem.
Practise, practise, practise
Obvious as it is, nothing improves confidence as much as the constant repetition of the same action. Practise makes perfect! After you’ve succeeded nine times, there’s no reason the tenth time you do the same thing should end differently, right?
Read inspiring books
Reading self-help books, books on business or books about the hobby you’re wantingto take to the next level will definitely give you a better understanding of the mechanics and the pschology of the subject you’re studying. And more data gives us more confidence! For example, these books will help you manage money better and these books are all about improving relationships with your partner.
Take online courses
We’re living in such a fast-paced world with rules, facts and opinions changing so rapidly that it’s too easy to fall behind no matter how experienced and knowledgeable we are in our sphere of interest. To keep up to date, try enrolling into one, of many, online courses. You’ll find loads of amazing options at specific educational websites like Masterclass or Alison or among these free IVY League courses you can complete in four weeks.
Train someone else
Sometimes the best way to remind yourself how good you are at what you do and boost your confidence is by training someone else. You can hire an intern for your business, start weekly hobby catch-ups with friends or volunteer your time for a local charity. There is a certain level of altruistic satisfaction in being able to make a difference in someone’s life and share your knowledge and skills with others, becoming someone’s mentor or role model.
Don’t forget about self-love
A balanced diet, healthy eight-hours of sleep and regular workouts – of course, you knew we would go there! As cliche as it sounds, there’s hardly anything like a good self-care regime to boost your self-esteem. Our confidence might be ‘in our head’ but our head is an important part of our body and by keeping the latter healthy, you’re improving the former as well. We’ve collected 33 self-care ideas in this article.
Enhance your wardrobe
We tend to judge people based on their appearance before we even give them a chance to talk, especially in business. We expect CEOs or real estate agents to wear suits while the same suit would work against a creative designer, who is expected to wear something unique and may be even a bit eccentric. Stereotypes? Yes! But do they work? For sure! Use it to your advantage – wearing well-tailored, high-quality clothes will make you feel intelligent and successful (which, of course, you are!) and, as a result, boost your confidence. Here are 15 smart tricks to keep your clothes looking brand new for longer – reuse the same items again and again, your wardrobe shouldn’t necessarily cost a fortune!
Fake it until you make it
It’s all about the body language! Not feeling as confident as you wish you were? Fake it! Psychologists agree that 55% of the messages in a discussion are normally delivered via non-verbal cues, such as your body posture, your tone of voice, etc. Sit up straight, keep your chest high, maintain eye contact, avoid fidgeting or crossing your limbs. If you’re projecting an image of confidence, people around are more likely to see you as an expert and trust you more. Their trust and respect, in return, will improve your own confidence.
Control your environment
Did you know that office plants can improve your concentration, productivity and job satisfaction? Maintaining a clean, comfortable and welcoming living and working space goes a long way towards boosting your self-esteem. Decorate your space with items that remind you of your past achievements and keep you focused on your successful future.
