Low self-esteem and confidence are issues many people the world over are played by. Being confident doesn’t come easy to everyone, and around 80% of US citizens state feeling anxious or suffering low self-esteem at least once in their lives.
But is it as easy as faking it till you make it? And what can you realistically do to boost your confidence? Read on for some easy tips to improve your confidence that anyone can do.
Emulate Someone You Admire
Is there a friend, family member, or colleague who exudes confidence that you trust and can look up to? If so, it might be worth watching how they behave in different situations to see what makes them appear or feel confident. Then look at how you can emulate these behaviors into your own without trying to be them. It can be something as simple as smiling at everyone they see, making eye contact, or the way they hold their body. Start small and practice incorporating these things into your body language at home before using them on others so you feel more comfortable.
Wear Clothes You Feel Comfortable In
From the above point, being comfortable in your clothing and/or hair and makeup choices can boost your confidence when out and about. Forget about power dressing; instead, choose clothes you know fit you well, and you feel good in. This can remove any additional discomfort from the situation and allow you to feel more at ease without constantly fidgeting with your outfit or worrying your makeup doesn’t suit you or the occasion. This is especially important if you have an important meeting or date or need to feel good to get through the day.
Visit Your Dentist
Your mouth and smile are among the first things people will notice about you and vice versa. If you are unhappy with your mouth for any reason, this will knock on your confidence and lead to you being more withdrawn and anxious in social settings. Make an appointment with your dentist to discuss any oral concerns you might be having and get started on perfecting your smile so you can feel more confident about how it looks and improve your health.
Challenge Yourself
” Do something every day that scares you.”
This is a popular phrase that many people roll out time and time again. But far from being just a trope, it can help boost your confidence. Make a list of all the things you are worried about or you feel are holding you back. It can be an accumulation of small items such as asking your boss for a raise, walking a different route home, going to the cinema alone, or simply joining a club. Or it can be something extreme and exhilarating such as solo vacationing, participating in extreme sports, or even quitting your job to start your own business. Once you have your list in place, pick one thing to do and do it. It doesn’t have to be every day. For example, you can pick “making eye contact with people” and do it for a week instead of shying away and then build from there before choosing another task.
Conclusion
The reality is everyone needs a confidence boost from time to time. And how you boost your confidence can be unique to you. These tips can be massively helpful. However, they won’t work for everyone. Take your time, address your concerns, and then find a way to overcome them to boost your confidence and be the person you want to be.
What do you think?