Undoubtedly, being more confident allows you to tackle seemingly big challenges head on. Those occasions where potential failure seems to lurk at every corner are easier to handle if we know how to boost our confidence.
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How can we become more confident though? Is it really that simple that we can hack our way towards feeling more empowered?
Actually, yes.
What is confidence and how might we boost it?
In essence, confidence is self-esteem. It's knowing that you have value, worth and are capable of accomplishing what you put your mind to.
When you are certain of your abilities, you tend to feel more optimistic. This is an empowering position as it allows you to act more courageously when faced with obstacles.
Essentially, boosting our confidence allows us to turn our thoughts into action.
Where does self confidence come from?
Well, there are a few factors which determine our confidence levels:
- 1Our genetics. More specifically, the balance of chemicals in our brain that we are born with.
- 2Our environment. In other words, how we're treated by those around us.
- 3Lastly, the choices we make. For example, your attitude when faced with a challenge. Or the risks you are willing to take, or not take. We have conscious control over these choices. Therefore, we can hack our thoughts to boost your confidence.
While we may not have control over our genetics or environment, we can't overlook them. All 3 are important in the long run when it comes to self esteem. However, tackling our personal choices can play a major role in boosting our confidence levels.
By keeping in mind a few tips and hacks, we are able to nurture and boost our confidence
Confidence Hack #1 - quick confidence builders
There are a few things you can do to give you an immediate confidence boost:
Strike a power pose and see how much more confident you feel with strong posture
Confidence Hack #2 - believe in yourself
We are all born with an innate ability to improve.
You just have to believe that you can.
Consider how you think about your particular skills, abilities and talents that you have. Do you believe you were just born with them? Or, like strengthening a building a muscle in the gym, did you develop them?
Whenever you're faced with setbacks, these personal beliefs matter. After all, they'll influence how you act.
If you think your talents are simply locked in place at birth, then you have a fixed mindset. As a result, you might tend to give up as you simply accept you're not very good at something.
On the other hand, if you have a growth mindset, you'll be aware that your abilities can improve. Therefore, you might see a challenge as an opportunity. A chance for you to learn, develop and grow.
Whenever we study or practice, the neural connections in our brain grow stronger. In general, those people with growth mindsets tend to become more successful. They'll do better when faced with challenges and setbacks.
READ ALSO: Crunches for your mind
Confidence Hack #3 - get used to failure
Surprising, right?
It might sound counterintuitive, but you have to accept and in fact become comfortable with failure.
Everyone fails at some point or another.
Research shows that people who fail regularly, yet continue on anyway are better at handling challenges and crises.
They've trained for, and practises, tackling new ideas and adopting different strategies. They master the art of perseverance.
And that's a critical part of achieving any goal we set for ourselves.
So, think of a target you want to achieve - a challenge you want to face head-on. Accept that it won't be easy.
Realise that you'll make mistakes, you'll face challenges and setbacks. Be kind to yourself when you do.
You're human.
Go back to tip #1 - look in the mirror and give yourself a pep talk.
Focus on the feeling of excitement you'll get knowing that, whatever happens, you'll learn something. This is total confidence.
What was your favourite confidence boosting hack? Drop a comment below and let me know.
