How Can I Increase Self-Confidence?

There is an easy answer to this question. People who want to be more self-confident just have to act that way all the time. But the results vary depending on whether the person is able to focus on being a “different” person every moment of every day. Unfortunately, this is impossible given the many other things we have to focus on – family, work etc. Years of habit cause us to act in specific ways. We also develop a general attitude about ourselves that becomes constant over the years.

So, what can we do to really increase self-confidence? We can start with a few very basic techniques that have helped hundreds of people already. The first step, and perhaps the most important, is setting goals/having real objectives. Too many people simply wander through life, doing the same things over and over, without feeling that they have accomplished anything. The reason they feel that nothing has been accomplished is simple: they didn’t have anything to accomplish!

One simple step that will go a long way toward increasing self-confidence is this: make a short list of daily objectives and check them off as they are completed. This list doesn’t have to include such major accomplishments as saving the world or completely changing our personality in one day!! Just write down basic things such as finish grocery shopping, clean one room of the house, read a magazine article and go out for lunch. Check these items off one by one and you will be amazed at the feeling of satisfaction at the close of the day.

One of the key elements of self-confidence involves being satisfied with appearance and clothes. We don’t have to rush out and get a complete facial reconstruction or buy an expensive wardrobe that will present a new you. Just give yourself a few minutes to pay attention to your hair and to your clothes, first thing in the morning. Pick clothes from the closet that add just a mild new touch of class.

It’s also very important to make some changes in diet and exercise habits. Again, it isn’t necessary to overdo this immediately. In fact, it probably isn’t healthy to start a vigorous new exercise program or make immediate changes in diet without doing some research first or consulting with your doctor. But there are a number of sources for beginning exercise plans that include mild stretching and flexibility movements. Most of us can eat a few more fresh fruits and vegetables as a way of getting started on the road to feeling better. A general feeling of good health will go a long way toward boosting self-confidence.

One other factor that contributes to being self-confident (most people miss this one) is the damage we do to ourselves with what one well-known motivational speaker calls “stinkin thinkin.” Zig Ziglar urges people to stop putting themselves down with negative thoughts and negative comments about how foolish or incapable we are. Try these steps and become more self-confident.