Boost Your Self-Confidence: 9 Easy Tips

Whether you’re looking for a new job or going on a first date, self-confidence matters. How you view yourself will translate to how others view you, so put your best foot forward and increase your self-confidence with the following tips.

1. Let go of your expectations

If something is in the past, let it pass.

So many of us spend time and energy putting ourselves down if we don’t accomplish exactly what we want to. Your actions become your choices and that can lead to decision empowerment.

Instead of allowing your tasks to overwhelm you, take back your power by being aware of the ways you spend your time. Your to-do list is not a reflection of who you are!

2. Don’t focus on yourself

If you’re feeling uncomfortable in a social situation, the odds are others are feeling the same way. If you’re feeling anxious, take a few deep breaths. Try to distract yourself and remember that you’re not alone (or the center of the universe).

Sometimes we put too much pressure on ourselves, thinking that the world will fall apart if we don’t get something done or act a certain way. Take some pressure off yourself and remember that you’re doing your best (which is all you can do).

3. Set realistic goals

Setting goals will help boost your self-confidence. Choose something that’s both measurable and attainable, charting your progress along the way. Keeping track of your progress will allow you to feel positive and increase your confidence. Remember that progress is a daily occurrence, not something you have to tackle all at once.

Even making it to the gym once is an accomplishment, so give yourself some deserved credit and go do that upper body workout you’ve been thinking about.

4. Surround yourself with positives

If there are things or places in your life that are bringing you down, avoid them.

If you’re realizing that people in your life only bring negativity, it might be time to reconsider the time you’re investing in those relationships. Surround yourself with people who are optimistic and caring, people who respect you and value you for who you are.

It’s easier to be self-confident when you have a network of supportive people around you. Everyone is influenced by the people they surround themselves with, so who do you want influencing you?

5. Stop being critical

Stop comparing yourself to others.

You are individual and unique, so there’s no point in wasting time on comparisons. Choosing to focus on your positive traits and on other people’s positive traits will help you gain self-confidence.

There’s no limit to positivity; just because someone else is positive and happy doesn’t mean there’s less of that for you.

6. Take the time you need

Take some time for yourself. Perhaps painting your nails or polishing your shoes will make you feel more empowered. Take the time to do small things that are often overlooked, because you deserve to do the things that matter to you. Spending time with yourself will help you gain confidence.

It’s also important to remember that you’re worth making time for. You will never be able to adequately care for another person until you care for yourself, so take time to unwind and relax.

7. Think positively

If you find yourself thinking negative or critical thoughts, choose to “cancel” or “delete” them. Your mind is like a computer and you will be able to erase those negative thought patterns with practice. Then, once you have consciously and intentionally erased that negative thought, replace it with a positive one. Try saying affirmations to yourself in front of a mirror, so that you can reinforce and remember just how worthy you are.

Write down your best traits, abilities, and skills on a piece of paper. When you are feeling down, you can come back to this list and remember how wonderful you are. You can also write down five or ten things that you are grateful for each day, which can bring about the positivity that is required for true self-confidence.

Try visualization to help you with achieving your goals.

8. Reprogram yourself

You might hold some beliefs that are limiting. It is time to take these negative thoughts and replace them with positive ones, as outlined in the previous point. Here are some thoughts you might need to re-think (literally!):

• “I can’t do that”
• “I get scared easily”
• “They don’t like me.”

Remember that even confident people get bummed out sometimes. Having occasional periods of anxiety is completely natural. Confidence comes when you learn how to effectively manage those occasional moments of anxiety.

9. Fake it…and Smile!

If you don’t know how to truly be self-confident, then just pretend to be! Smile, too. Just the act of smiling will release endorphins to the brain, which will eventually make you happy.

Remember: you are going to be fine. Start building your self-confidence today so that you can begin leading the lifestyle you deserve.

—

Mental health matters.

May is National Mental Health Awareness Month, so we’re taking some extra time to focus on positive things and build healthy habits. At Ultimate Phitness, we believe in the importance of both physical and mental health. Achieving your bench press goal is cool, but having mental strength will allow you to meet challenges with peace and patience.

What are you doing today to focus on your mental health?