We all want to be confident, right?
But sometimes, it’s hard to know where to start.
We all have moments where we lack confidence.
Whether it’s in our work, personal lives, or relationships — there are times when we just don’t feel 100%.
Believe it or not, there are ways to increase your confidence and feel more positive about yourself.
The 7 musts to becoming confident include:
Let’s dive in!
When we meet someone we admire, it’s like spotting a unicorn in a field of regular horses.
We tend to put them on a pedestal, thinking they’re these mystical beings lightyears ahead of us, mere mortals.
But let’s pause for a reality check: they’re just regular folks like us.
So, let’s take the example of starting a podcast or a newsletter. Maybe you’re eyeing these realms with starry-eyed admiration (and hey, you might even look up to me).
Let me burst that bubble — I’m as regular as they come. I wake up every morning, and stumble through a morning routine that’s probably not that different from yours.
I rely on the same tech tools, face the same daily challenges, and even brave the same modes of transportation.
Despite my seemingly “proud” status (spoiler alert: I don’t have a cape), I have my fair share of doubts and uncertainties.
Confidence is like finding a four-leaf clover — you have to search for it, and sometimes, you’re not even sure it exists.
But here’s the thing: confidence is built on trust.
When someone has confidence in us, they’re basically saying, “Hey, I trust you.”
And when we have confidence in ourselves, it’s like giving ourselves a little pat on the back and saying, “You’ve got this, champ.”
If we’re wishy-washy or flip-flopping, our bodies and minds won’t trust us either. Confidence isn’t just handed out like free samples at Costco; you’ve got to earn it.
So, if you’re looking to beef up your self-trust, start by being a little less scatterbrained and a tad more decisive, and give it your all.
Life has a knack for throwing curveballs that can knock our self-confidence for a loop.
But fear not — we’ve got a secret weapon to combat that self-doubt: reminding ourselves of our achievements.
It’s hard to play those pesky mind games about what we “can’t do” when we’ve got a laundry list of what we’ve already accomplished laid out before us.
Tracking these achievements is more accessible than choosing between Netflix and Hulu for your next binge-watching session.
You can jot them down on your phone, scribble them in a notebook, or keep a simple Word Doc.
Personally, I’m all about Google Docs — accessible from any device, anywhere, anytime.
Plus, there’s something about seeing your achievements in black and white that gives you a warm fuzzy feeling inside.
Consistency is key.
Make it a habit to update your achievement document regularly. I like to take a breather once a month to not only add to the list but also bask in the glory of my accomplishments.
Because let’s face it, what’s the point of achieving great things if you can’t pat yourself on the back and enjoy the moment?
So, take a minute to reflect, soak in the satisfaction of your hard work, and be proud of what you’ve achieved.
Gratitude is like rocket fuel for our self-esteem. It reminds us of the abundance in our lives and gives us the extra confidence we need to keep pushing forward.
Ah, the tale of Picasso and the million-dollar napkin — a classic that perfectly illustrates the power of Practice and dedication.
Picture it:
- Picasso.
- Casually sketching away at a Parisian market, when a fan approaches.
- Asking for a quick doodle on a napkin.”
Sure thing”, says Picasso, whipping up a masterpiece in minutes. But before handing it over, he drops the bombshell: a cool million bucks, please.
Cue the jaw-dropping shock from the lady. “A million dollars? For a napkin sketch? It took you five minutes!”
To which Picasso, ever the master of wit, replies, “No, my dear. It took me 40 years to draw this in five minutes.”
Forty years of honing his craft — that’s what made Picasso’s doodle worth its weight in gold. And it’s a lesson we can all learn from.
When we put in the effort consistently, we start moving faster.
And when we’re zooming ahead, we’re soaking up knowledge and experience like a sponge on steroids.
This laser focus on our priorities is like hitting the fast lane of success, leaving all the filler and BS in the rearview mirror.
So, here’s the million-dollar question: what’s slowing us down?
Identify those pesky distractions and kick them to the curb.
Sure, they might not seem like a big deal daily, but every second counts when discussing the need for speed.
With speed comes confidence. We’re not just learning; we’re mastering.
And with each new skill under our belt, anxiety takes a backseat, replaced by the comforting embrace of preparedness.
Here’s a scenario for you: you’re in a room full of people, and someone makes a mistake.
What do you do?
You probably brush it off, maybe offer a kind word or a pat on the back.
Now, flip the script — you make a mistake. Suddenly, the world is ending, and you’re the apocalypse star.
This self-punishment we put ourselves through? It’s a confidence killer.
We’re so busy doling out punishment for our slip-ups that we forget to celebrate our wins.
And guess what?
That fear of failure? It’s like a growth-staller on steroids.
We’re too scared to take risks and try new things — all because we’re too busy beating ourselves up over past mistakes.
Failure isn’t fatal.
It’s a golden opportunity to level up. Think of it as a crash course in Confidence Building 101.
First off, failure teaches us some valuable lessons.
You know that saying, “Fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me”?
Well, failure is our wake-up call to switch up our game plan. Armed with newfound insights, we’re ready to tackle the challenge from a fresh angle.
Secondly, failure shows us just how resilient we are.
We might fall into a pit, but guess what? We’ve got the tools, the smarts, and the sheer grit to claw our way out.
We’re also going to come back swinging, ready to conquer whatever comes our way.
So, let failure be your guide, not your grim reaper.
Embrace those stumbles and falls — they’re just stepping stones on the path to greatness.
We often spend hours, days, maybe even months, meticulously crafting the perfect plan — dotting every “i” and crossing every “t.”
But, then, what happens?
We freeze up. We overthink. We second-guess ourselves into oblivion.
While planning is essential, it’s not the be-all and end-all. At some point, we’ve got to roll up our sleeves and dive in headfirst.
Because let’s face it: the longer we let those plans marinate in our heads, the more room we give self-doubt to creep in and wreak havoc.
So, instead of getting stuck in analysis paralysis, it’s time to take action. Jump in feet first, and figure it out as you go.
Trust me, the more times you do something, the more confident you’ll become. It’s like flexing a muscle — the more you work it, the stronger it gets.
Also, you don’t need to know everything before you start.
Nope, not even close.
Sure, having a solid foundation is excellent, but you’d be surprised how far a little bit of know-how can take you.
You don’t need to be a walking encyclopedia on a topic to make waves — you just need to know enough to get going.
Action breeds knowledge. The more you do, the more you learn.
The eternal struggle between doubt and dreams is like a tug-of-war inside our heads, isn’t it?
On one side, we’ve got these big, beautiful dreams — visions of what could be if we only dared to believe.
On the other hand, we’ve got doubt, whispering in our ear, telling us all the reasons why those dreams are nothing but fantasy.
The truth is that dreams don’t just materialize out of thin air.
They need something more — they need belief.
When we believe in our dreams, we open the floodgates to possibility. Suddenly, what once seemed like a far-off fantasy starts to feel within reach.
Think about it: an optimist who believes in their dream is like a heat-seeking missile for opportunity.
They’re constantly looking for ways to turn that dream into reality, seizing every opportunity.
On the other hand, pessimists are more likely to throw in the towel before they even step onto the playing field.
They’re so busy focusing on why things won’t work that they never give themselves a chance to see if they could.
That’s where Henry Ford’s wisdom comes into play: “Whether you believe you can or believe you cannot, you are probably right.”
It’s like a self-fulfilling prophecy — if you believe your dreams are out of reach, guess what? They probably will be.
Now, when discussing risk, our minds often conjure up images of dramatic, worst-case scenarios straight out of an action movie.
But here’s the reality check: most of our risks are more like annoying little gnats buzzing around our heads than life-or-death showdowns.
So, how do we muster the courage to take those risks and dive headfirst into the unknown?
Simple — by taking risks.
It’s like exposure therapy for the soul. We start small, dipping our toes into the pool of uncertainty, gradually immersing ourselves in the waters of risk.
And guess what?
More often than not, those worst-case scenarios we conjure up in our minds turn out to be nothing but figments of our overactive imaginations.
Seriously, think about it — how often have you fretted over something only to realize that the outcome wasn’t nearly as catastrophic as you’d feared?
So, let’s flip the script on fear and uncertainty. Let’s face them head-on, armed with the knowledge that they’re often just paper tigers masquerading as giants.
There you have it — the seven musts of becoming confident. I hope the examples and definitions in this guide help you embark on a journey towards unshakeable confidence and self-assurance, empowering you to conquer every challenge that comes your way.