Being self-confident means that you are self-assured, assertive and comfortable being in your own skin. You enjoy who you are and you're not easily offended or swayed by the opinions of others. Self-confidence is the difference between feeling scared of others and the world you live in and feeling empowered and good about yourself--you believe in yourself and your abilities. You have the feeling that you can usually accomplish whatever you set out to do. You're not afraid of failure because you always try your best.
Step 1
Keep yourself well-groomed. The first thing people notice about you is the way you look. Get regular haircuts and make sure your clothing isn't wrinkled or stained. When you look good, you'll feel better about yourself.
Step 2
Develop good posture. People with self-confidence hold themselves straight with their shoulders back. If you can help it, don't stand with your shoulders hunched. A poor posture tells the world you feel dejected and unworthy.
Step 3
Avoid berating others or putting them down. According to Vincent N. Paul in his book, "Don't Be Discouraged!," people who tear others down to make themselves feel better come across as having a self-esteem problem. By displaying these negative behaviors, you only succeed in showing others that you feel badly about yourself.
Step 4
Change your negative thought patterns. The way you think about yourself comes across in subconscious ways. For example, you may avoid making eye contact or refrain from initiating conversations with others if you feel badly about yourself. According to the Mayo Clinic, developing a healthier, more positive view of yourself makes you seem happier and more self-confident to others. Identify negative thoughts and replace them with more positive, realistic statements.
Step 5
Visualize yourself as being more self-confident. According to author David Lawrence Preston in his book, "365 Steps to Self-Confidence: A Program for Personal Transformation," using creative imagery can strongly influence your subconscious mind. For example, you might try imagining yourself confidently walking into work with a smile on your face or receiving applause after giving an important speech.
Step 6
Act "as if". Even if you don't feel confident, act like you are totally self-assured. According to Preston, when you speak and act confidently, you appear more confident to others. You'll start feeling more self-assured because others will respond to your actions. Similarly, if you act timid or shy, others will reinforce your feelings by responding to you as if you are timid or shy.
Member Comments