4 Easy Ways to Improve Self-Confidence
Posted August 17, 2017
From a bad online review to a rejected application, all kinds of things can cause our self-confidence to shrink. Even constructive criticism can hit hard, despite its good intentions.
Moreover, our inner critic is always chipping away at our self-esteem, telling us our work isn't good enough or everyone else is a step ahead. When swamped by so many factors that drain our self-confidence, we have to take control of building it back up so you can be a confident professional.
Self-assured people are appreciated by those around them and they encourage confidence in others. They deal with their fears head-on and have a tendency to take risks. They realize that regardless of what road blocks come their way, they have the capacity get past them.
Below are four simple ways to make the transition from uncertain worker to confident professional.
Avoid negativity
Often, the negativity of others can rub off on you. If you're going to take charge of your own self-confidence, the first thing to do is take a hard look at those around you, including friends and family members, for negative people to avoid.
This can be a difficult task, but escaping those individuals who destroy your confidence is essential to maintaining your self-esteem and personal happiness. Even a short-term break from a negative person or persons can make a massive difference and allow you to make progress in the direction of more self-confidence.
In addition to purging yourself of negative people, redouble your positive interactions with others you want to keep in your inner circle. Avoid using others solely to vent and focus on having productive or casual conversations.
Make a 'thankful' list
Sometimes, it's important to stop and remember just how good you have it. Sit down and create a list of all the things in your life you are grateful for, and a different list of all your achievements. Once your lists are finished, post them somewhere you can easily see them on a regular basis - like your refrigerator or bedroom mirror. If you feel your self-confidence shrinking, take a look at those lists and allow yourself to be inspired by all the positive things in your life.
Change your body language
Research has shown you can feel confident if you act as that way, despite what might be going on inside your head.
Just sitting up straight can give others the impression you are a confident and can inspire confidence in yourself. Smiling will not only cause you to feel happy, it will make others feel more at ease surrounding you. Imagine somebody with healthy posture and you'll be picturing a person that is self-confident.
Push through negative thoughts
Reduced self-confidence is usually brought on by negative thoughts that keep cropping up. If you are continuously bashing yourself, you are setting up a self-fulfilling prophecy for failure. Instead, the next time you hear that negativity in your mind, push for a positive mindset and keep it up until you feel a self-confidence boost.
If you are able to succeed through mental adversity, it can be a great way to boost your confidence.
At Ambassador, we know trying to find a new job can be a drain on your confidence. If you need assistance in finding a new position, please contact us today to work with a full-service staffing agency.