Self-confidence is that feeling of trust in your qualities, abilities, and judgment. Studies indicate that self-confidence is crucial to one’s health and psychological well-being. If you want to develop your self-confidence, this article is for you.
What Does Self-Confidence Mean
Self-confidence refers to the general sense of trust and belief in your own ability to control your life.
This can also refer to something that is specific to a certain situation.
For instance, you can be self-confident in one area of expertise but feel less confident in other areas.
A healthy level of self-confidence can also help you become more successful in your professional and personal life.
Some studies also indicate that individuals who are more confident are prone to achieving more academically.
Self-confidence also plays a crucial role in one’s motivation to pursue their goals, with studies linking athletes with higher levels of self-confidence.
It is also believed that one’s level of confidence can also affect how one presents themselves to others.
Boost Your Self-Confidence
If you have zero self-confidence, don’t fret.
If anything, there is no shortage of ways you can do to increase your self-confidence.
Whether you struggle with low self esteem about yourself or in a specific area, these self-confidence boosters can make a world of difference:
1: Don’t compare yourself to others
Do you compare yourself to those you follow on your social media channels?
Or do you compare your earnings to that of your friend?
While social comparison theory explains that it is natural to make comparisons, it won’t do much to improve your self-confidence.
It is likely to have the opposite effect.
It would be best to remind yourself that while comparison is natural, it is not helpful.
Life is not a competition and everyone is running their own race.
If you envy someone else or their life, it would be helpful to look into your own strengths and successes.
Keep a gratitude journal to help you appreciate how blessed and fortunate you are.
A gratitude journal can also help you focus on your life rather than comparing it to others.
2: Surround yourself with positive people
How do people that surround you make you feel?
Do they lift you up or bring you down?
Do they judge you constantly or do they accept you for who you are.
The people you surround yourself with can influence your attitudes and thoughts about yourself more than you realise.
That said, pay close attention to how others make you feel.
If you find yourself feeling bad after hanging out with a certain person, it would be best to cut ties.
Ideally, you need to surround yourself with people who love you and want the best for you.
Seek those people who can help you build your self-confidence.
3: Be kind to yourself
Self-compassion is all about treating yourself with kindness when you fail, make a mistake, or experience a setback.
This helps you become more flexible emotionally and helps you navigate challenging emotions better.
A 2015 study also linked self-compassion with self-confidence.
The next time you encounter a challenging situation, recognise that falling short or being imperfect is part of being human.
Make sure you navigate the experiences with kindness and compassion for yourself.
Over to You
Many people struggle with self-confidence at one point or another. Fortunately, there are many strategies you can employ to help you feel more confident. If your lack of self-confidence interferes with your education, work, or social life, it would be best to talk to a mental health professional.