Confidence in yourself is necessary in order to be successful at most things in life. But often times people who lack self-confidence also lack an understanding of what it takes to build and create self confidence. And of course we can’t actually get somewhere when we don’t even know where we’re going in the first place.
People who struggle with self-confidence often find it difficult to meet people and make friends. This is often because they’re afraid of criticism or simply don’t have enough confidence in themselves to initiate conversation. This also holds them back from opportunities to become successful that others with high self confidence have going for them.
If you’re struggling in your life due to low confidence then use the 10 ways listed below on how to build and create self confidence and then you too will know exactly where you’re going and how to get there.
1. Be Positive
People don’t like being around negative people much less look forward to being their friend. Therefore, it’s essential for you to become a positive thinker. You must learn how to think positive even if it’s not in your character to do so. If you’re one of those “It’s half empty” kind of guys change your focus and start seeing how wonderful “half full” can be.
Avoid concentrating your attention on your deficiencies. Instead, try to focus on the things you have achieved, even the small ones. Also, people will think of you as an interesting person to be around and even fun to be with if you’re positive.
2. Praise Yourself Often
You need to recognize your personal accomplishments, be it big or small. This will help you build your self-confidence and boost your desire to accomplish bigger and better things in the future. Also, reward yourself for the things you have done.
3. Lose the Self Criticism
The biggest enemy of individuals who want to build their self-confidence is self criticism. You won’t ever be able to win friends and influence people if you continue to allow those negative thoughts and self put downs to fill up your head.
So, make sure you prevent yourself from entertaining thoughts that you’re somehow inferior. These statements just help to build anxiety and fear which keeps you from moving forward. Remember to keep your head held high and be proud of who you are.
4. Be Yourself
And I’m not talking about that self critical one you created. That’s not your true self. Your true self has been buried under the self criticism for quite sometime. Once you work on the tips given to here, your true self will come shining through. So do what you do best, hold your head up high and be yourself.
5. Don’t Seek Perfection
There’s no such thing as perfection and there’s nobody that is actually perfect so don’t try so hard to become one. If you make a mistake and people criticize you, shake it off and don’t think of it as the end of the world.
It’s actually normal to make mistakes. That’s what makes us human. So, when you do make a mistake pick yourself back up, shake it off and learn what you can from the experience. Oh, and don’t forget to hold your head up high.
6. Consider Yourself Beautiful
Beauty is subjective so even if you aren’t within the world’s standard of “beautiful”, face the mirror, smile and tell yourself you’re a beautiful person. And besides, with that smile on your face, that twinkle in your eye of positive attitude and your head held high everyone will be able to see your beauty coming from within.
So, say good things about yourself in front of the mirror and repeat after me, “I like myself… I like myself… I like myself…”
7. Take Responsibility for Changing Your Life
Making these changes for yourself won’t just happen over night because you want them to. It will take work on your part to build and create self-confidence that will stay with you through the long haul and create the friendships and success you want out of life. And one of the things you must do to get where you want to go is to take responsibility for these changes.
However, we’re not talking about major changes all at once here. You just need to commit to taking one step at a time and even baby steps at that. Just start small and work your way up and before you know it your head will be up high and that twinkle in your eye will be there first thing every morning and the last thing every night.
8. Set Realistic, Achievable Goals
Just like we discussed in tip 7 above, set realistic small goals so you can visually see the progress you’re making and feel good about yourself. That’s the real purpose here after all isn’t it?
You need to build and create self confidence a little at a time so that you have enough confidence to take the next step and then the next step until the big goal is finally reached.
9. Take Good Care of Yourself
Self-confidence builds when you feel good about yourself. To do that, you need to eat properly, get enough rest, and exercise regularly. Changes that are brought about by doing these things will help you look and feel good from the outside which in turn helps you feel great on the inside.
10. Reduce Stress Within Yourself and Your Surrounding Environment
If your goal is to build and create self confidence then it’s important to reduce your stress level as much as possible. Piling on too much only helps to increase your feelings of overload which sabotages the self confidence you have worked so hard to create.
Here are few points to keep in mind. Complete required tasks ahead of schedule so you don’t end up rushed for time. Work on one task at a time so you don’t try to stretch yourself in too many directions at the same time. Make lists and set your most important tasks at the top of the list so that you get those items done first and when your under less stress for completing them.