Confidence is a great personality trait to have. It is integral to living a full, healthy and happy life.
If you are not a naturally confident person, there are things that you can do to make yourself more confident. Here are some of our top tips.
Smile
If you are feeling nervous in a social situation the simple act of putting a smile on your dial can trick your mind into making you feel better about things. The act of smiling is so strongly associated with positive feelings that it becomes harder to feel bad about things.
Make eye contact
In combination with your smile make eye contact with the other people in the room. Once they have seen your smile, they will almost certainly respond in kind, and being smiled at is a great self-confidence boost. Like smiling, eye contact shows people that you are confident.
Drown out negative thoughts
While it is important to listen to your thoughts, it can be equally important to know when to turn off your inner monologue. The human mind can torment you at times, and if you find yourself replaying negative thoughts over and over, it can pull you into a pit of pessimism. If you find yourself in a spiral of negative thoughts, apply some distraction techniques such as doing some exercises or listening to your favourite music.
Remember your friends
Surrounding yourself with supportive friends and family helps give you a real confidence boost and a much more positive attitude. Find your circle of support and remember how great others think you are.
Speak slowly
Public speaking is one of the situations most likely to cause people to feel under-confident and nervous. Speaking slowly gives your words more authority and allows you to seem much more confident in your topic. If you rush through your words, not only are you more likely to stumble, but, subconsciously, you may be telling people that what you are saying isn’t worth listening to.
Dress to impress
Having confidence in your physical appearance can translate into building self-confidence. This isn’t just about your clothing, although that certainly plays a role. Also make sure your hair, make-up and teeth are perfect before any situation where you want to impress.
What advice do you have for someone who may be lacking in confidence?
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