Confidence
Do you compare how you look to people you follow on social media or your friends and colleagues?
How do you build self-confidence when you notice that you are making comparisons?
Or...
Do you have high confidence in one area of expertise but feel less confident in others?
We all have struggled at one point or another with some sort of level of confidence. Whether in our teen years, starting a new job, or like myself...when I started a new business. All sorts of thoughts and false fears may surface and if not careful can control decisions you make in a negative way. Having confidence in yourself is a feeling of trust in your abilities, qualities, and judgment. Research has suggested that confidence is important to health and psychological well-being. Having a healthy level of self-confidence can help you become more successful in your personal and professional life. When you notice that you are making comparisons to others in your life, remind yourself that everyone is running their own race, and life is not a competition. If you’re feeling envious of someone else’s life, remember your own strengths and successes.
One suggestion I always tell my clients is to "journal.” Keep a gratitude journal to remind yourself of the areas in your life where you are already blessed. This will help you focus on your own life instead of others.
Reflect for a moment...
Take a moment and think about how your friends make you feel. Do they lift you up, or do they bring you down? Are they constantly judging you, or do they accept you for who you are? The people you spend time with can influence your thoughts and attitudes about yourself more than you realize. Pay attention to how others make you feel. If you feel bad about yourself after spending time with a particular person, it may be time to reevaluate that friendship. Surround yourself with people who love you and want the best for you. Seek friendships that are positive and help build your confidence. Confidence in yourself and a positive attitude go hand-in-hand with each other.
It can be hard to feel good about yourself if you’re abusing your body or not taking proper care of it. Our bodies are so important that our Lord calls them temples of God. 1 Corinthians 3: 16-17; 19-20. Because our bodies are important, our Father in Heaven wants us to take good care of them. He knows we can be happier, better people if we are healthy. When you practice self-care, you know you're doing something positive for your mind, body, and spirit, and you will naturally feel more confident as a result.
(4) practices that can be linked to higher levels of self-confidence are diet, exercise, prayer, and sleep. Make sure you are getting what you need to feel good about yourself and your abilities.
Treat yourself with kindness when you make a mistake, fail, or experience a setback. It allows you to become more emotionally flexible and helps you better navigate challenging emotions, enhancing your connection to yourself and others. The next time you're in a challenging situation, recognize that being imperfect or falling short at times is a part of being human. Do your best to navigate these experiences with compassion toward yourself. Also, forgive yourself if mistakes are made. When you have negative self-talk, it can limit your abilities and lessen your self-confidence by convincing your subconscious that you "can't handle" something or that it is "too hard" and you "shouldn't even try. When you have positive self-talk, it can nurture or foster self-compassion and help you overcome self-doubt and take on new challenges.
One way to develop self-confidence in a relationship is to recognize your worth. When you know the value you bring to others, it helps you feel more confident in yourself. If your confidence is more of an issue in relationships and you have a fear of being rejected, remember that not everyone is compatible. If your confidence is more of an issue in social situations, try to change your perspective. Instead of looking at group interactions as a stressor, view them as an opportunity to work on building your self-confidence. Taking someone with you who makes you feel confident can also give you the self-belief needed to feel more comfortable around groups of people. If your confidence is more of an issue in your workplace and is tied to concerns about your performance, check in regularly with a superior to see how you're doing. Ask for feedback about areas where you can improve, then work on them to feel more confident in your duties. If your self-confidence is tied to your physical appearance, developing a more positive body image can help. Instead of focusing on areas of your body you dislike, spend more time appreciating the areas you feel good about.
Stop putting things off until you feel more self-confident!
One of the best ways to build your confidence is by facing your fears head-on. If you’re afraid you’ll embarrass yourself or think that you’re going to mess up, try anyway. A little self-doubt can even help improve performance. Tell yourself it’s just an experiment and see what happens. You may learn that being a little anxious or making a few mistakes isn’t as bad as you thought. And each time you move forward, you gain more confidence in yourself.
So, all in all, learning how to be more confident can have a variety of positive effects on your life. Not only does it help you to feel better about yourself and your abilities, but having confidence in yourself can make your relationships stronger and make you more resilient to stress. Learning how to act confident can actually help you feel more confident.
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