6 Effective Tips in How to Be Confident
We have all experienced the butterflies in our stomachs while going for a business presentation or while speaking our mind. Clammy hands, bile at the back of your throat, sweating profusely- we have all gone through this.
Some call it stage fright and it can be a good thing. Being nervous before doing something grand is your body’s way to pump up the adrenaline required for you to perform well. But if you experience this too frequently and if this impedes your everyday life, that is where the point of concern is. That simply means that you lack confidence. Self-confidence is something that is required for you to excel in professional and your personal life. Here are 6 effective tips that will work wonders in boosting the much-needed confidence in you.
1. Positivity
Whenever you find yourself doubting yourself or your capabilities in moments when you need to shine, go to your happy place and think positive thoughts. Your “can-do” attitude can move mountains. Anything negative has to go out the door- thoughts, people and so on. Surround yourself with positive successful people. They help in motivating you to become better than what you are. Hang out with friends who help you forget your woes and encourage you to grasp the happiness in your life.
Spend time with people who inspire you. Enjoy your time with your family. They are the people who will always see and remind you of the best in you. Positive re-inforcement is an absolute necessity when trying to boost your self confidence. Smile a lot and fat will smile back at you. Focus on everything you already have and be thankful for them. Remind yourself each morning of how great life is and what you have already achieved. This will help you to get confidence for achieving more.
2. Execute
You can achieve anything if you practice. So practice being self-confident. Take on challenging projects, speak up where you used to falter earlier, go talk to a stranger and exude confidence. It might be difficult at first, hence we ask you to practice. Keep your focus and keep doing stuff out of your comfort zone.
When you see how you are succeeding in such situations, you will automatically feel more confident. Being in your shell and not doing anything about your situation only promotes doubt in yourself. So get out of your house and do something about it. Shake off your fear and concentrate on the positive. Play to your strength and once you get enough confidence, turn your weaknesses into strengths. Gradually you will find your confidence shining through.
3. Body Language
While talking about confidence, it is imperative that we talk about body language as this is directly proportional to your self-assuredness or lack of it. Think who you want to be and act the part. Smile more. Stand straight with your head held high and have an all-knowing air about your (make sure to not look arrogant in the process).
Make eye contact and exude the feeling that you are capable of taking charge of the situation. While meeting anybody make sure that you give them a firm handshake (just don’t break the poor person’s hand). A limp handshake demonstrates your insecurity. Basically, be who you aspire to be. Cool, calm and collected.
4. Dress The Part
Part of acting the part is dressing the part. Dress like a confident person. As we all know, when we look good, we feel good. Tweak your lifestyle and your wardrobe to look like the woman/man you want everyone to see. Your exterior must reflect your interior. Remember the first impression is paramount, be it in the professional or personal world.
When people see a well-dressed individual with a strong personality, they automatically assume that that person knows how to deal with situations and immediately start having confidence in them. Other’s confidence in you will, in turn, boost your self-esteem.
It is also important to remember that there would always be people in the world who will try to bring you down. Do not pay any heed to them. Remember, negative people have no place in your world.
5. Speak Authoritatively
It goes without saying that the way you speak tells heaps about your confidence in what you are saying. Avoid the “uh”s and “um”s while talking and speak in a steady, rhythmic, assertive (not aggressive) tone. Study your favourite speakers and try to emulate them, in your own way. Speaking assertively shows others that you are confident about your speech.
Do not whine or murmur or talk in a high-pitched tone. Your assertive tone is enough to make others see the leader in you and listen attentively to you. People’s attention will naturally boost your self-confidence.
6. Prepare Yourself
The more you know, the better you do. Enhance your competency and expertise by learning everything (almost) about your industry. Introspect and figure out what you want to achieve and what you need to do in order to achieve these goals. Be an SME (subject matter expert). The five P’s “Prior planning prevents poor performance” seldom fail to work. Take small steps at a time and aim higher after achieving each goal. Each small success (no matter how small) will help in increasing your self-confidence. The better you plan, the better you are prepared to face the challenges that life throws at you.
Confidence does not get build in a day (even Rome was not). It is a way of living and you need perseverance and patience to attain that. So keep your cool, do not give up when a small hiccup arises, just keep at it and you will gradually become the confident person you are capable of becoming.
"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frighten us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be?" Marianne Williamson
