Confidence is a lot like sex. Everyone usually has it at some point in their lives or another, but it can be awfully inconsistent.
Some people seem to have more than their fair share, while others don’t have nearly as much as they should. And the barriers to gaining more confidence are complex and numerous – ranging from social to psychological.
Building true confidence in oneself can be a lifelong project, but here are a few simple ways to feel more confident as you step out the door on a regular basis.
1. Embrace New
Repeating the same pattern day in and out is a fast road to feeling like your life is a real snorefest. Embrace small new things that will change up your routine and add a little intrigue. Try a new outfit combination. Get a haircut. Set aside some time for a good shave. Small adjustments can give you an extra bit of pizazz to get you through the day.
2. Write Daily Affirmations
Of course, confidence all starts in your noggin. Visualizing what confidence looks like in your day-to-day becomes a self-fulfilling prophecy. Science says so. A great way to start is writing out three to four affirmations about yourself every day – the act of writing it will plant a seed of visualization in your head. Are you well-respected? Do you have the ability to read rooms well? Write it down!
3. Ask for it
Since you’re already sitting in the corner of humility, ask your friends and family to help you. Hit up your old co-worker for a recommendation on LinkedIn. Ask your parents what skills you demonstrated easily growing up.
Ask your friends what they like most about you. You might learn something about yourself, and you’ll feel pretty good after.
4. Stand by for Wonder Woman (the pose)
When all else fails, or you need a little more confidence just to get you through the next five minutes, try a power pose. Also backed by science, these easy poses quickly and effectively raise your testosterone – the hormone responsible for making you feel more confident and assertive.
Standing with your feet apart and your hands on your hips (Wonder Woman), or with your fists in the air (more reminiscent of Superman) for two minutes can give you that internal confidence jolt your system needs.
If these work for you – let us know in the comments! What else do you do to bring confidence into your everyday life?