How to be more confident? Essential steps to follow

September 05, 2024 / 4:17 PM

Samar Sader

Self-confidence can be defined as genuine belief in one’s abilities and potential, accompanied by a positive sense of self-respect and appreciation, and the belief in facing challenges and overcoming difficulties. Self-confidence is widely acknowledged as a critical factor in achieving success and happiness in life. Conversely, lacking confidence can lead to missed opportunities and an inability to accomplish goals. Here are some crucial tips and steps to enhance and improve self-confidence:

Defining goals and assessing strengths and weaknesses

Achieving anything in this life hinges on having a clear plan to follow. Moreover, cultivating self-confidence requires a profound understanding of oneself. Recognizing one’s needs, strengths, weaknesses, and aspirations is essential for personal growth. All this enhances opportunities for success and fulfilment, thereby boosting self-confidence.

According to Gail Matthews, a psychology professor at Dominican University in California, her study revealed that individuals who wrote and defined their goals were 33% more successful in achieving them compared to those who did not. Additionally, these individuals exhibited higher levels of self-confidence.

Believing in capabilities and potential

Certain moments and small details highlight a belief in one's capabilities, potential, and the ability to tackle various challenges and fears. Unforgettable past events, such as succeeding in a challenging exam, excelling in a job interview, or overcoming anxiety serve as powerful reminders. Recalling these situations and small details undoubtedly enhances and reinforces self-confidence.

Developing skills and gaining more

Losing self-confidence results from succumbing to inactivity and failing to develop the skills needed to navigate life’s challenges. Therefore, it is essential to invest time and effort in self-improvement and skill acquisition. Learning skills pertinent to one’s goals, delving into new realms, and enriching one’s knowledge through beneficial books and courses all contribute to enhanced self-confidence.

Avoiding the comparison of oneself to others

Ceasing to compare oneself with others nurtures self-esteem. Each person holds a unique personal life, circumstances, and personal challenges known only to them. Their achievements and successes are aligned with their own aspirations. Such comparisons become especially harmful on social media. In this regard, clinical psychologist Linda Blair states, “You’re comparing yourself with a fantasy, and that will lead to either excessive striving or disappointment”.

Additionally, a research conducted in 2021 by “BetterHelp” found that “comparisons to others on social media are related to higher levels of depression and anxiety,” ultimately resulting in a lack of self-confidence.

Accepting failure and learning from mistakes

For humans, it is normal to feel moments of weakness and failure. Yet, when self-blame becomes excessive, it creates a barrier to self-confidence. Hence, it is advisable to be more compassionate towards oneself, avoid self-flagellation, and embrace failure as a lesson for future improvement to avoid repeating mistakes.

Taking care of body and physical appearance

Paying attention to the body promotes a positive self-perception. This is because a strong link exists between self-confidence and practicing good self-care habits, which include maintaining a healthy lifestyle through regular exercise, nutritious eating, and engaging in meditation or relaxation techniques. Additionally, taking pride in one's appearance by wearing clean, tidy clothes adds to this positive self-image. These practices collectively contribute to bolstering self-confidence and nurturing a constructive mindset.

Furthermore, adopting balanced body language, such as relaxed sitting or standing postures free from shyness or tension, further enhances self-confidence. In this context, research conducted at Harvard University has highlighted the significant impact of body posture on hormones and self-assurance. It reveals that adopting correct and balanced body positions sends signals to the brain that amplify a person's positive feelings and confidence levels.

Surrounding oneself with confident and positive people

Surrounding yourself with confident, positive, and optimistic individuals can significantly boost your self-confidence. Engaging with their advice and positive conversations aimed at self-development and confidence-building provides the necessary support to overcome challenges. This environment fosters greater self-respect and reinforces belief in your abilities and potential.

Asking for help without hesitation

Giving in to self-doubt negatively impacts self-esteem and the ability to achieve goals. Therefore, it is crucial not to hesitate to or feel embarrassed to seek help when things worsen despite following previous tips. Seeking professional support or utilizing online programs and resources is a crucial step in overcoming challenges, achieving success, and enhancing self-confidence.

References

[1] verywellmind.com, How to Be More Confident: 9 Tips That Work
[2] hoytorg.com, 6 WAYS TO BOOST YOUR SELF-ESTEEM
[3] betterhelp.com, How Does Comparing Yourself To Others On Social Media Impact Your Mental Health?
[4] transformativegrowth.org, 7 Steps You Can Take to Improve Self Esteem
[5] positivepsychology.com, What Is Self-Confidence? (+ 9 Proven Ways to Increase It)