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We all know what it feels like to lack confidence. That sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach, the butterflies fluttering around in your chest, the uneasy feeling that everyone is looking at you and judging you… It’s not fun.
But the good news is that there are things you can do to boost your confidence and feel better about yourself.
Here are 7 confidence hacks that actually work:
1. Give yourself a compliment.
2. Make eye contact.
3. Smile.
4. Do something that scares you.
5. Be mindful of your thoughts.
6. Stand up straight.
7. Find something to be grateful for.
Let’s go into these confidence hacks in a little more detail.
Give yourself a compliment
We are often our own worst critics, so one of the best things you can do for your confidence is to give yourself a compliment. It doesn’t have to be anything big or grandiose, just something honest that you can really believe.
For example, “I did a great job on that presentation” or “I look pretty today” or “I’m a great friend”—whatever works for you! The more you do this, the easier it will become, and soon enough, it will become second nature.
Make eye contact
Another way to show confidence is by making eye contact. It shows others we are interested and engaged in what they are saying, and it also makes us appear more confident and trustworthy.
So the next time you’re in a meeting at work or out with friends, try to make eye contact as much as possible, it will make a world of difference in how others perceive you, and how you perceive yourself.
Smile
Smiling is yet another powerful way to change our mindset and boost our confidence levels. When we smile, it sends happy chemicals such as serotonin and dopamine rushing through our bodies, which help us feel better both physically and mentally.
Smiling makes us appear friendly and approachable, which is exactly the type of aura we want to project when trying to boost our confidence!
So put on a smile every chance you get. You might just find that your mood improves along with your level of confidence.
Do something that scares you
One of the best ways to build confidence is to do something that scares you. It could be anything from public speaking to skydiving to simply talking to a stranger.
The key is to start small and work your way up. Don’t tackle your fears all at once or you’ll likely end up feeling overwhelmed.
Be mindful of your thoughts
Our thoughts have a powerful impact on how we feel, so it’s important to be mindful of the kinds of things we’re telling ourselves.
If you think negative or self-defeating thoughts, try to counter them with positive affirmations. For example, if you’re thinking “I’m not good enough,” try to remind yourself that “I am worthy and I am capable.”
Stand up straight
This one is simple but oh-so important. When you stand up tall, with your shoulders back, head held high, you will exude confidence even if you don’t feel it right away. The more you fake it, the more likely it is to become a reality.
Find something to be grateful for
One of last but certainly not least important ways to boost your confidence is by finding something to be grateful for each day. When we focus on what’s going right in our lives instead of what’s going wrong, we naturally feel happier and more confident overall.
So each day, take a few moments to reflect on what went well, even if it seems like nothing did! Maybe you had a good hair day or someone held the door open for you, or maybe you just got through another day. Whatever it is, find something positive to focus on and be grateful for it!
Confidence Hacks – Key Takeaways
Confidence is key in life. The more confident we are, the better we feel about ourselves and the more successful we are both professionally and personally.
Unfortunately, confidence doesn’t always come naturally to everyone, and sometimes we all need a little help to boost our levels.
Luckily, there are some simple things we can do to help give ourselves a much needed confidence – injection!
The next time your confidence is flagging, try one (or all!) of these 7 confidence hacks and see how they work for you.
