10 tips for building self-confidence

25Missed opportunities… We all know what that means… You wonder “what if…?” Where would you be now if you’d followed a different path? Why didn’t you keep going? What made you quit?

The answer is usually the same: lack of self-confidence. It petrifies many of us and impedes our decision-making process. It’s no good doubting yourself and your possibilities. You should trust your own SELF and your inner power! You are about to find out why it’s so important and what to do to boost your self-confidence.

 

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF, IT PAYS OFF (LITERALLY)!

It has been proven that people who are more self-confident earn 12% more while doing the same things as those who question their own abilities. Thus we can see that academic knowledge neither makes us more self-confident nor helps us cope with everyday problems.

Financial benefits are just the beginning of your success. Self-confidence will have a positive effect on both your personal and professional life.

I have been building my self-confidence for a long time and it stems from sport, science, my surrounding, my family and friends, meditation and healthy food.

Who you are and where you are in your life right now, how you move, how you shake hands or gesticulate – all these factors not only reflect your self-confidence but can also enhance it. I will share some hints with you on how to build it and how to maintain it even in the most difficult situations.

 

DON’T COMPARE YOURSELF TO OTHERS

Do you admire people who have been successful and don’t believe you could ever make it? Do you think their road to success was easier or they had a better start? You don’t know it. You don’t know other people’s background and the obstacles they had to overcome before reaching the finishing line. If you think you’re better than others, you can quickly fall into the trap of narcissism and it will keep holding you back. If it’s the opposite and you think you are inferior, you won’t have faith in yourself and your own abilities.

 

BUILD YOUR SELF-ESTEEM

If you don’t believe in yourself, then you’re not developing your full potential when meeting the deadlines. This impedes your efficiency and as a result you don’t achieve your goals. Stop this vicious circle! Don’t build your self-confidence on negative evaluations of others. Think of yourself as a source of potential that you must use at all costs. As best you can!

 

DON’T EVALUATE, APPRECIATE

First of all, be GRATEFUL – it’s a known fact that people who are grateful have higher self-esteem. Say THANK YOU and appreciate the work of others and their help. Your professional partners are your support, not a threat. By showing them gratitude, you let them know that you support them, that they are important to you and, as a result, they will also develop. It will come back to you faster than you think.

 

FOLLOW YOUR HEART WHILE PURSUING YOUR DREAMS

You have your goals and dreams so try to follow them. You are a teacher of Polish  but dream of quitting your job and starting a career in real estate, or the other way round? Go ahead! You are not following your dreams because you are afraid to lose what you’ve got. How much is your current situation worth if it makes you miserable? True, it is risky to quit something but, on the other hand, you make way for something new, something you’ve always dreamt of. It is a fact that people who do what they love are more successful. It’s because they put more heart and commitment into they work. They’re also happier because their bodies produce more endorphins – the happiness hormones!

 

LET YOURSELF MAKE MISTAKES AND FAIL

In our life we often fight. We fight with ourselves where the stake is much higher than being promoted at work. It is the love of yourself and care for your own values. No-one is born a professional. We develop and follow our goals, so don’t let mistakes discourage you, as they are natural and everyone makes them. Failure teaches us more than success because we draw conclusions and develop. Accept them with humility … and with a smile.

 

STOP TRYING TO BE PERFECT

I tried to be perfect for years and wanted to show others that I could be even better and although I am the wife of the best footballer in the world, I still have my own professional life. Now I know I don’t have to be perfect, I know my worth and care for it. Nobody’s perfect so try and accept and love yourself! It’s the only way to achieve success and harmony.

 

BE PROUD OF YOURSELF AND APPRECIATE YOURSELF

You work, train, bring up the kids, study, take exams, inspire others, do all your best – be proud of yourself, look in the mirror and say it out loud “”Good job!” You do something incredible for yourself and your loved ones every day. Don’t forget about it!

 

BELIEVE IN YOURSELF AND YOUR ABILITIES

Believing in yourself and in your potential is vital. You have a goal so visualise it every day to the smallest detail. Program your mind with words and actions to achieve itl. Even the smallest step will draw you closer to it. Think positive and you will have more energy to act and make your dreams come true.

 

BE TRUE TO YOURSELF

Staying true to yourself is worth more than a carefully created image. Develop your competence, your strengths and advantages and it will pay off. All the praise and compliments will then refer to your true SELF. Be yourself not only for yourself, and your self-confidence will grow.

 

BODY POSTURE – POWER POSITION

This is the last step but a very important one! Take a deep breath. Stand up straight, legs the width of your hips, feet parallel to each other. Lift your arms a little and draw shoulders together, your arms will move slightly to the back and your chest will open up. Feel your straight spine become the axis of your whole body. Pull in the stomach, chin slightly up. Feel the energy flow through your body freely. Keep this position – it’s called a power pose. According to Amy Cuddy of Harvard University, staying in this position for several minutes will lower your stress. You should keep it in mind, especially in stressful situations when your body instinctively closes, and you will feel stronger and more confident. The right posture results in health, power and beauty. Watch yourself and if you manage to make it a habit, you will feel that you are a stronger person, ready to act and overcome troubles.

 

Let’s build our self-confidence on our success, patience and hard work. We should also help others develop it -by praising them, saying nice things, appreciating! It will come back to us full circle 🙂 The most important is to live in harmony with your own self, then you know what a valuable person you are!

 

Photo by Marta Wojtal