There are numerous ways to build self-esteem and confidence, and according to Harvard Health Publishing, it's essential for good mental health and the development of personal relationships. The following tips can help for build self-confidence:
Break Down Tasks
If certain tasks or goals you're trying to meet seem overwhelming, break them down into smaller pieces. Decide what comes first by order of priority. You don’t need to change everything about your life overnight, but a great way to start is by making one or two small changes every day.
For example, waking up at the same time every day for a week. Small changes like this can make a big difference in how you feel about yourself and how you manage your life.
Monitor Your Self-Talk
Be positive and mindful about the language you use during self-talk. And when your mind comes up with a negative thought or feeling, try to find a positive way to re-frame it and repeat that message to yourself. This might seem silly at first, but re-framing the language you use with yourself can make a big difference in how you feel.
Take an Inventory of Your Achievements
When you're feeling defeated or apprehensive, it's easy to lose sight of all that you've already accomplished. Grab a pen and paper and make a list of all the things you've already achieved, as well as obstacles that you have overcome. Keep this list handy -- posted somewhere you can see it often.
Focus on Your Talents
Everyone is unique and has their own set of individual talents. Focus on what you do well. Identify your strengths and capitalize on them while also expanding your skill set by trying new things. It might help to work with a professional, such as a Confidant provider, and talk through it.
Take Action to Eliminate Doubts
People spend a lot of time worrying about a task before they even start working on it. The more you think about it, the more you worry.
The only solution is to find a small, easy way to start and then build up your momentum from there. If you aren’t sure whether it’s the right way forward, start working on it, and you will figure it out along the way.
Let Go of Past Mistakes
Don’t harbor regrets about things you wish you’d done differently or hadn’t done. Remember that you have learned from these experiences, even if they were hard lessons. You're a stronger person for having overcome past mistakes. Reflect on the lessons you've learned and move forward.
Surround Yourself with Positive People
As Jim Rohn said, "You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with." So, seek out positive friends. Upbeat people, energized and supportive, make great friends, and their optimism will rub off on you.
If you need to repair broken relationships or let go of negative ones, take action. If you need to reach out to someone who was once supportive, try to send a meaningful message their way. Positive people usually have a forgiving and compassionate attitude.
Reflect on Past Compliments
All too often, we remember criticism. Think instead of compliments that you’ve received in the past from family, friends, and colleagues. Let their praise and encouragement be what sticks with you.
Rethink Social Media Habits
Social media has a huge impact on how we view ourselves and our self-esteem. People usually only share the flattering parts of their lives and don’t show the whole truth. The problem with this is that all you see is better looking, more successful, happier, more well-off people than you.
Taking a break from social media can change how you think. Set a small goal for yourself. Delete social media apps for 24 hours and observe how you feel during this time.
Mindless scrolling has so many negative impacts, such as wasting time, losing self-confidence, and losing touch with reality. It might be hard at first, but you may not want to go back to social media after taking a break.
Get Out of Your Comfort Zone
Stepping out of your comfort zone from time to time and trying new things will boost your self-belief. You can start small, like asking a friend to take you to do something they enjoy.
When someone suggests something, don’t say ‘no’ just because you think you won’t like it. Say 'yes' to something you would usually write off as not for you. It might be better than you imagined, and even if you didn’t like it, at least you know you tried.
The more work you do to build your self-confidence, the easier it will become to believe in yourself.
Offer Yourself Constructive Advice
Counter your inner critic with positive, constructive advice. Don’t let a negative inner voice put you down. Be good to yourself. Tell yourself that you can do things, rather than telling yourself you can’t. Be an ally and advocate for yourself.
Building confidence takes time -- and once you've built it, it can take continued effort to maintain it. But it's so worth it to have the self-assurance and face the challenges of each day truly believing in yourself. Our team at Confidant is here to help.
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