What is confidence
Confidence is characterized by a positive self-perception and a secure sense of self-importance. In practical terms, this entails feeling comfortable in social scenarios, being fearless when speaking in public, and holding favorable opinions about one’s life and character. To possess confidence is to have a deep understanding and acceptance of one’s identity, as well as being at ease with both one’s strengths and weaknesses.
Why become more confident
Research indicates that enhancing self-assurance can result in improved mental well-being and an overall sense of wellness. Moreover, it can positively impact various aspects of life, leading to increased success. By conquering challenges related to low self-confidence, you can effectively accomplish your objectives, both in your personal and professional endeavors.
Due to their unwavering self-assurance, individuals who are confident frequently experience more accomplishments whether in the capacity of entrepreneurs or employees. Moreover, in terms of interpersonal relationships, mastering self-love and acceptance can facilitate the process of others embracing the same outlook towards themselves.
The importance of confidence
Confidence is both immensely rewarding and has been shown in studies to have a variety of associated benefits. Here, we have outlined some of the reasons why confidence is important.
Confident people are more likely to live longer
According to a study conducted by Brandeis University in Massachusetts and the University of Rochester in New York, individuals who possess self-assurance and resilience have a higher chance of leading longer, healthier lives. The study discovered that those who exhibited a strong sense of control, indicating higher confidence levels, appeared to counteract the potential mortality risk associated with lower educational attainment.
Confident people are happier
Our course from Luleå University of Technology provides more information about building confidence and managing stress, based on a 2003 study that found higher self-esteem to be associated with increased happiness, satisfaction, and decreased negative moods, with some variations observed across cultures.
Confidence impacts physical and mental health
Research indicates that possessing positive self-esteem has advantages. Mental wellbeing and happiness are correlated with confidence, and confidence is also connected to improved recovery following severe illness.
Confidence is linked to success
There is frequently a positive connection between self-esteem and success, although the precise link is not clear. It is possible that success boosts individuals’ confidence rather than confident individuals being more successful. Nevertheless, as we observed in our examination of growth mindsets, having the belief that one can persevere and exert effort often leads to achieving success.
Is confidence a skill
There is a discussion regarding whether confidence should be classified as a skill or an attribute. Although it may seem that confidence is an innate quality, it is not a permanent characteristic. If we refer to the definition of confidence, it consists of our faith in our capability to achieve success and our belief in our ability to impact situations in our lives.
In a similar vein, the idea of having a growth mindset is reiterated in much of the text. This mindset entails having the belief that our fundamental qualities can be developed through our hard work and perseverance. Although certain aspects such as intelligence and personality may be relatively stable, we can enhance our self-confidence and skills through training.
Additionally, it is understood that there exist methods to enhance self-esteem, thereby indicating that it is a subject that can be developed and upgraded. Consequently, it can be reasonably asserted that confidence is a capability. Nevertheless, alternative viewpoints suggest that confidence is an emotion that can be controlled, rather than a skill.
What does a lack of confidence look like
It can be challenging to identify someone who lacks confidence. It might come as a surprise that some individuals who appear self-assured are merely adept at feigning it. Nonetheless, certain unmistakable indicators exist that reveal a lack of confidence. Here, we have highlighted a few common signs of low self-assurance.
- Anxiety. Low self-esteem and generalized anxiety disorder are often closely linked. Someone lacking confidence may seem anxious in unfamiliar situations. Anxiety can make us doubt our faith in our abilities, and we know that confidence is often a matter of belief.
- Avoiding challenges. Those without confidence are often unwilling to try new things as they don’t trust in their abilities to succeed at them.
- Avoiding social situations. Meeting new people (and even familiar ones) can be tough when lacking confidence. A lack of belief in social skills will often mean avoiding social settings.
- Lacking self-care. If someone is feeling negative about themselves and their abilities, they may also neglect to take care of themselves. This could mean a poor diet, lack of exercise, or mentally chastising themselves.
- Worrying what others think. Those who have low self-esteem will often worry about how others judge them. Often, they’ll project their own feelings about themselves onto how they think others will feel about them.
Tips for how to be more confident
Gaining confidence is a step-by-step process, therefore it is crucial to be forgiving towards yourself as you develop a greater belief in your abilities. Implement these eight suggestions to enhance your confidence level.
1. Be kind to yourself
Try to embrace yourself in the present moment, without any judgments. Each person may have areas for improvement, but it becomes easier when you already have self-acceptance.
At that point, self-improvement becomes akin to assisting a friend rather than scolding an adversary. For instance, if you are struggling with concerns about body image, placing self-acceptance as the top priority rather than focusing on a new diet is more effective. By starting from the point where you currently are, rather than fixating on where you desire to be, your confidence levels will develop at a quicker pace.
2. Get outside your comfort zone
To increase your confidence, it is important to push yourself beyond your comfort zone. If you lack self-confidence, you may be hesitant to expose yourself to uncomfortable situations, so try taking small steps at your own pace.
Feeling self-conscious is a normal experience when you start pushing yourself, and attempting things you were previously afraid of may make you feel uncomfortable. Each time you confront your fears, you will gain more confidence in your ability to handle any challenges that come your way.
3. Make a list of positive qualities
Start by sitting down and making a list of instances when you felt positive about yourself or traits you value in your personality. Even if you have low self-esteem and find it challenging to come up with anything positive, consider that there could be a chance for a new beginning. As you begin the process, you may discover that you have a higher fondness for yourself than you initially believed.
4. Practice self-assured body language
To build self-confidence, it can be beneficial to adopt confident body language, such as standing up straight and pulling your shoulders back. Sometimes, pretending to be confident can ultimately lead to actually feeling confident.
Engage in power poses, adopting a confident posture that exudes fearlessness. Make an effort to sustain eye contact during conversations. Give yourself leniency in case you occasionally stray from these strategies, as it is all part of the learning process.
5. Realize you’re not alone
Feeling lonely is a common result of lacking confidence, however, it is important to understand that numerous individuals, even those you may not expect, experience confidence-related challenges. It would be beneficial to connect with friends or family and inquire whether they have ever experienced feelings of discomfort or uncertainty regarding themselves.
As you gain confidence in yourself, there may come a time when you can provide valuable self-care advice to others who are just beginning their journey, potentially enhancing their well-being.
6. Set goals for yourself
To overcome self-doubt, you can gradually address it by selecting daily or weekly tasks that will push you out of your comfort zone and boost your self-assurance in particular aspects. For instance, you could concentrate on engaging in conversations with unfamiliar individuals for a week, and then shift your focus to asserting yourself when dealing with people you are acquainted with.
The goal is to make these objectives appear less overwhelming and achievable by breaking them down into manageable steps. As you accomplish each one, establish bigger goals and reflect on the fact that you are gaining more confidence with every step.
7. Take it one day at a time
Even individuals who are extremely confident and prosperous sometimes experience feelings of self-doubt and engage in self-critical thinking. Therefore, refrain from berating yourself for having off days. It is acceptable to feel disappointed or incapable of overcoming life’s hurdles on occasion.
8. Talk to yourself positively
If you find yourself starting to have negative thoughts, be aware of them. Question why they are appearing in the first place. Change them into positive self-talk once you are capable of doing so.
To enhance this practice, incorporate personal growth podcasts or engage in reading materials focusing on positive psychology. Overcoming low self-confidence requires abandoning negative self-talk and substituting it with positive affirmations.
9. Practice self-care
Self-confidence and self-care are often interconnected. As mentioned in our article about self-esteem, engaging in regular exercise, getting adequate sleep, and adopting a nutritious diet can all contribute to improving one’s self-perception.
By carefully evaluating your needs, you can determine what brings you a sense of self-satisfaction. Additionally, engaging in activities such as mindfulness and gratitude can mitigate stress, enhance emotional control, and promote better sleep quality.
10. Build positive relationships
According to the NHS, those who are negative and attempt to undermine your confidence can often deplete your self-esteem. To enhance your self-worth, the suggestion is to reduce your interactions with such individuals. Instead, focus on establishing connections with people who value and cherish you. Their optimistic attitude can contribute to boosting your confidence.
If you take our course Build Trust and Grow your Self-Confidence, you will acquire techniques that will help you develop positive interpersonal relationships.
11. Work on a growth mindset
According to certain studies, individuals possessing a growth mindset typically exhibit greater self-esteem and resilience compared to individuals holding a fixed mindset. Although there is a debate regarding whether confidence influences a growth mindset or vice versa, cultivating a growth mindset can have positive impacts on various aspects of one’s life.
12. Challenge yourself
The NHS suggests that setting a challenge is beneficial for building confidence. It is understandable to feel anxious when attempting unfamiliar tasks, but individuals who have confidence will confront the challenge. The NHS additionally advises setting goals as it can aid in adopting fresh behaviors, concentrating on specific objectives, and initiating steady advancement.
13. Practice self-affirmations
There have been multiple studies that have indicated the effectiveness of affirmations. In essence, when we tell ourselves about our strengths and express confidence, we are able to strengthen these positive thoughts. A specific study supports the idea that self-affirmations can contribute to maintaining our self-efficacy, which is an essential aspect of confidence.
Additional research has indicated that the brain’s neural pathways exhibit a reaction when individuals engage in self-affirmations. A few instances of self-assured positive statements encompass:
- You choose to believe you’re confident
- You are confident and value yourself
- You are confident in your abilities
- You let go of limiting beliefs and choose to trust yourself
