Self-confidence can be defined as a state of being certain about oneself and abilities and is linked to almost every element involved in a happy and fulfilling life. Self-confidence is important in all aspect of our lives, yet there are many people who struggle to find it. Lack of self-confidence can make people less likely to achieve the success that could give them more confidence. Cultivating self-confidence is not always easy, particularly if you're naturally self-critical, or if other people put you down.
Our confidence levels keep fluctuating day in and day out and it may also depend on the experiences or situations we encounter each day. It is possible to find a person who may feel very confident in their abilities when focused on one task yet not confident at all when faced with another task in a completely different situation. The confidence level may also be influenced by the upbringing and the environment we grew up in and people we surrounded ourselves with.
Steps that can be taken to boost self-confidence.
- Talk and think positively - building confidence begins by changing thoughts then taking actions for change.
- Tolerate life reversal with positive frame of mind - Reversals normally bring significant changes in our lives, and it's important to embrace these changes and learn from them rather than resisting them.
- Associate with people who add positive energy to your life – friends who are always bringing you down and judging you can impact your self-confidence negatively. Look out for people who are positive and ready to help you build your confidence.
- Dress and groom yourself well – embrace the fact that looking good leads to feeling good. Grooming plays a key role in enhancing self-esteem.
- Learn new skills – For many people improvement in confidence come directly from learning.
- Stop comparing yourself to others - Many research indicates that people who compare themselves to others experience envy. And the more envy they have, the worse they feel about themselves.
Why building self-confidence is important:
- Stronger Sense of Authentic Self - Confidence roots you in who you really are. You accept strengths and weakness, you become aware that your weakness doesn’t change your value and you use your strengths well.
- Less Fear and Anxiety- Self-confidence helps you to unhook from your thoughts that could be causing fear and help you experience calmness.
- More Resilience- Confidence gives you the skills and coping methods to handle setbacks and failure but that doesn’t mean you won’t sometimes fail.
- Greater Motivation - As your confidence grows, you’ll find yourself more driven to stretch your abilities.
Conclusion
Self-confidence can be learned and mastered just like any other skill. Once you master it, everything in your life will change for the better. When you're self-confident, you trust your own judgment and abilities, and have a strong sense of self-worth and self-belief. Remember confidence is a journey not a destination
