10 Ways To Regain Your Lost Confidence
Most of us have experienced at least one instance in our lives where our confidence has been smashed. We then had to re-build shattered psyches from the ground up. It might have been a break-up, losing a job, failing an exam or being rejected by someone we thought was a friend. Having self-confidence can lead to greater success and happiness in life. Find out how to regain it from these 10 points.
1. Stop Comparisons.
The human mind is a very weird thing sometimes. We compare the best in others to the worst in us and think that it is so easy for others and hence they are successful. Truth of the matter is every one of us has an itch to scratch, each one has a problem they are trying to resolve.
2. Remember Your Past Accomplishments.
Chances are that you are not giving yourself enough credit for everything that you’ve done throughout your life. Take some time to reflect and look back at your past glories from big to small things that you’ve done that you feel proud of. This will help validate your place in the world and the value you bring to the people and society around you and, in this way, build your self-confidence.
3. Be Optimistic.
Focus on positive thoughts and beliefs. Rather than get bogged down with negative thoughts, try to focus on positive, encouraging, and constructive thoughts. Remember that you are a special, one-of-a-kind person who is worthy of love and respect from others and from yourself.
4. Be Your Own Cheerleader.
Give yourself positive encouragement and credit for the positive things you do. For example, you might note that although you’re not getting all the exercise you’d like to be getting, you have been going to the gym one extra day a week. Give yourself credit for making positive changes.
5. Set Goals And Expectations.
Write of lists of things you want to accomplish and set out to achieve these goals. For example, you might decide to volunteer more, take up a new hobby, or spend time with friends.Make sure your goals and expectations are realistic. Striving for the impossible will only deflate, not enhance, self-confidence.
6. Fake It Until You Make It.
This old saying actually has some real value to it. Confidence doesn’t happen overnight, but now that you have a good sense of who you are and what you want, you can put up a good front that will eventually translate into confidence within as well. The very act of trying to appear confident can actually increase your confidence, as you begin to see how it affects those around you.
7. Take Chances.
Remember that you can’t control what anyone else thinks, feels, or does; you can only control yourself. Instead of being fearful of all of this uncertainty and your lack of control, try to embrace it. Choose something that puts you a bit outside of your comfort zone and jump in headfirst.
8. Help Someone.
People who volunteer tend to feel happier and have higher self-esteem. It may seem paradoxical that to feel better about yourself you should help someone else, but science does prove indeed that feelings of social connectedness that accompany volunteering or helping others make us feel more positive about ourselves.
9. Take Care Of Yourself.
Putting time into yourself can also help improve your self-confidence in general. The healthier you are in mind and body, the better the possibility that you will be satisfied with your self. This means doing your best to be healthy, whatever that may look like for you individually.
10. Be Persistent.
Building confidence takes time, because each rush of confidence you achieve is temporary at first. You’ve got to keep at projecting confidence and taking chances in order to build up a real sense of self-confidence.