Different Ways to Build Your Confidence
Image Source: Pexels; By Charlie Fletcher
Everyone has to face those moments in life when the fear, intimidation, and discouragement come railing against them. Whether you’re preparing to head into an interview, getting ready to have a baby, or trying to fill out that blasted tax form for the 10th time, sometimes it can be helpful to tap into a little confidence to help calm those frazzled nerves and restore a level of focus to your efforts.
The problem is, you can’t simply tap into confidence the same way you can Google a new hairstyle or pick up a cup ‘a joe for an energy boost. If you struggle to find and maintain your confidence, here are a few tried and true ways to build your inner strength.
How to Build Your Confidence
While there are many approaches to building confidence, it’s important to keep in mind that everyone marches to the beat of their own drum. Take each of the suggestions below for what they are: suggestions. Some may work for you the way they are, others may need a bit of personalization to truly have an effect, and still, others may not be a fit for you.
That said, here are a few common ways that people boost their confidence as they face the trials and tribulations of daily life.
Focus on the Mental Battle
Often the best place to start the battle for confidence is on the inside. If you’re feeling beaten down by life, chances are your own inner thoughts and cyclical thinking won’t let go in a hurry. Take time, therefore, to start your crusade for confidence by winning the mental battle.
Identify stress and anxiety triggers that cause you to spiral. Look for cognitive distortions that trap you in a pattern of negative thinking. As you begin to regain mastery over your mind, you’ll be better able to maintain a positive perspective, which is foundational to maintaining long-term confidence.
Address Your Physical Condition
It can be difficult to truly be confident when you feel like crap all of the time. If you know that you make poor decisions when it comes to that lowest level of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, maybe it’s time that you shifted some habits. Try to focus on a healthier lifestyle by addressing the little things, such as:
- Drinking plenty of water.
- Stocking your home with healthy food.
- Weeding out the junk food.
- Getting both good quality and quantities of sleep.
- Exercising regularly.
These small self-care details may sound unrelated to your confidence, but if you feel in tiptop physical shape, you’ll be better able to maintain a healthy mindset as you go through each day.
Tap Into that Empowerment
If you’re feeling bullied and belittled at work, one confidence booster can come in the form of leading the charge to better empower the employees at your company. This isn’t a call to go on strike and form a picket line. However, if your work environment is feeding you and your coworkers’ low self-esteem, consider stepping up to the plate and engaging with your company’s leadership in order to bring attention to the need for more employee empowerment.
This doesn’t need to be — and shouldn’t be — a petty list of demands, but rather a call to action for the greater good of your company as a whole. Hospitals, for instance, are benefiting immensely from the act of empowering their employees in order to collectively achieve goals and provide high-quality care. This option is a two-for-one win, as you will gain confidence both from leading the cause and from the empowerment that can come from it.
Switch Things Up ...Physically Speaking
Sometimes simply making a few minor changes to your physical appearance can have a world of difference in your overall demeanor. Don’t change your appearance in order to hide who you are. On the contrary, take a good look in the mirror and size up what you can do differently in order to help accentuate the things that truly make you who you are.
This can be anything from a new haircut to reinforce that spunky attitude to a new deodorant to give you a fresh new feel, to a bold new pair of glasses with frames that give you a more sophisticated, academic look.
Set Goals
Finally, if you take the time to set reasonable goals for yourself, you’ll be able to steadily build confidence as you achieve them. This can do wonders in boosting your self-esteem. In turn, as you begin to feel better about yourself, you’ll find it easier to take on larger tasks and set even bigger goals.
Eventually, you’ll likely find you can even handle failing to meet a goal with grace, endurance, and a desire to try again rather than give up.
Maintaining Confidence
There are many different ways to boost your self-esteem. The important thing isn’t necessarily the approach you take — although it’s certainly important to identify what works best for you. However, the most critical piece of the puzzle is the simple act of making an effort in the first place. The synergy and momentum that comes from building your self-esteem can be life-changing, and it only starts with a simple personal commitment to chase that confidence — whatever it takes.
