6 Powerful Tactics to Boost Your Confidence
Having confidence is powerful. It makes you feel unstoppable, capable of anything, and like you’re on top of the world. Imagine where you would be by now if you felt that way more often. What would your health, relationships, or career look like?
Simply put, confidence helps you seize more opportunities. How can you make this true for yourself and become more confident?
The important thing is to realize that lack of confidence comes from different sources. Maybe you believed that you’re not good enough because someone from your childhood told you that you’re not good enough. Perhaps you had an awful experience the last time you stepped out of your comfort zone, and the memory is preventing you from going for your dreams.
You are not alone. Most (if not all) people are insecure about something; the only difference is which area of life: health, appearance, abilities, or social situations? The list goes on.
The good news is that you can boost your confidence. We’ve outlined some helpful prompts below.
Where is your doubt coming from?
Understanding the source of your insecurity provides you with a better chance of addressing it. In which area of your life do you lack confidence?
Once you zero in on the source, it won’t feel so overwhelming. Plus, you’ll have something substantial to tackle.
Maybe you don’t feel confident walking in your new prosthetic leg. Work with your healthcare team and be patient with yourself. You will get there.
Perhaps the amputee life feels limiting to you? Why not go on outdoor adventures with like-minded people or learn a new skill?
Identify and address. This is the essence of this tactic.
Acknowledge your true self
Comparing yourself with other people will get you nowhere in your quest to become confident. If you must compare, we suggest contrasting your current self with your past self. This is a great way to see how much you've improved and how far you’ve come.
Remember that you are unique, and you are naturally good at things that other people will not excel in. The more you understand who you are, what you value, and what gives you joy, the stronger you will be.
Recognize your strengths and gifts
Maybe you’re not the best adaptive athlete, but perhaps you are good at building relationships, art, or handling your finances?
We all excel at something. And while it’s good to improve your weaknesses, don’t focus on it too much. Instead, find joy in doing what you’re naturally good at.
If you're not sure what your strengths and talents are, you may want to start writing down at least three things each day of what you felt good about, what you're proud of, and what you did well. Do this exercise for a week, and you'll begin to see some patterns.
Acquire new skills
Learning something new is a surefire way of boosting your confidence. However, as you spend time working on your new skills, don’t mistake imperfection for lack of ability. Not everyone gets it right the first few times. Be kind to yourself, and instead, focus on finding joy in the learning process.
Change your state
Changing your mental and physical state is an incredible hack for immediately boosting your confidence. If you’re feeling anxious about something, you might want to stop what you're doing and set aside a few minutes for meditation, journaling, or exercise. Clearing your mind and moving your body are two of the quickest ways to give your mood and overall well-being an instant boost.
Another tactic you can use is knowing what confidence looks and feels like. For example, think of a specific time when you feel confident. Remember that moment vividly every time you doubt yourself.
Next, imagine how you would look or act if you were already confident. The old “fake it ‘til you make it” trick works wonders for many.
Lastly, think of a role model. Someone whom you admire, and imagine what that person would do in a particular situation.
Just do it
All the physical, mental, and emotional preparation you’ve done won’t mean anything if you don’t put it to action. Taking a deep breath and jumping in to do a task is a tried and tested confidence booster.
Imagine standing at the edge of a cliff, hesitating, wondering, and waiting for courage before jumping into the water makes you doubt yourself more. However, the magic happens when you just start; your confidence immediately builds. This is the power of momentum. Take advantage of it.
It's crucial to realize that developing self-confidence starts with you. You have the abilities, and you decide when to take action. When everything fails, only you can choose to move forward.
