While it is true that surrounding ourselves with positive people is a benefit, what really matters is how much we trust in our own abilities to find our own sense of happiness and success. If we do not believe in ourselves, it is unlikely we can achieve our personal best.
1. Build your Confidence
Reaching for uplifting, positive reading and visual material is one way to increase your sense of self-confidence. Ruminating on a positive quote, internalizing a positive message (“I can do anything I put my mind to”) are just two examples of how you can build your own confidence. Not all of life’s best gifts can be purchased off a shelf. Bringing ourselves to the table where building takes place is important. Sitting still and doing the mental work to change self-doubt into self-confidence is important.
2. Reject the Doubt of Other People
Also known as “haters,” doubters are people who have no faith and little confidence in our ability to succeed. They also secretly wish they had our desires, dreams and abilities to succeed. Rejecting the doubt of others can be difficult because sometimes these are the people who are closest to us. But, we have to be able to dismiss their negative comments in order to build our own sense of confidence. Without this skill, we are likely to remain stuck. Here is an idea: don’t share your dreams with them at all.
3. Say No and Mean it
Do you ever hear a request and want to say no but say yes instead? The “why” we say yes is not as important as the fact that we are denying ourselves our own truths. This request represents something we do not want to do. It does not make us an evil witch to say no. In fact, it makes us a confidence protector of our personal resources of time, money and energy. Saying no is another way to cultivate confidence because we are sending a clear message: “What I want for me at this moment is not to do what you are asking of me.” There is nothing wrong with that. In fact, it is one way to demonstrate self-care by confidently standing up for our right to protect our own resources of time, money and energy.
4. Dress to Impress Yourself
It has been said that clothes make the person. But the truth is, clothing has both a symbolic meaning and becomes a physical experience. What really matters is what does an article of clothing mean to you and how, if at all, can it increase your self-confidence and display your sense of self-awareness? If sweat pants make you feel like you are in control of your destiny because you are self-employed and work from home, then wear them. But if a suit is more to your liking, then wear that. Putting the clothes on and expressing ourselves physically to the world is a sign of confidence. So, confidently wear your clothing to symbolize your own sense of confidence.
5. Celebrate Past Victories
Do you have a pile of cards people have sent you over the years? Chances are, those cards say nice things about you. Do you have a few cherished accomplishments you enjoy bringing to the front of your memory? We can groom a higher sense of self-confidence by celebrating our past triumphs. It is one way to honor the strengths we possess. Featured photo credit: Stocksnap via stocksnap.io
