We go on ad nauseam about introverts and extroverts. Introverts recharge by being alone while extroverts recharge by going to a party and this has nothing to do with relative self-confidence levels of people it is just the way they relate to the environment around them.
However, there are still some who may shut themselves away from society because of lack of confidence and these people may like the energy being around other people brings them.
What can you do to bring more confidence to your life and hopefully become the best version of yourself.
1. Set yourself some small goals
For me even finishing this blog post is a small goal and it gives me a little bit of confidence each and every day. This blog post is number 196 so you can imagine that I have gained quite a bit of confidence from it. Another example would be the gym. I'm sure many of you set yourself to go there 4 times a week and then life takes over and you get there maybe less than 4 times a month. Every time you get there think of your confidence building up
Peter Voogd, in his book 6 Months to 6 Figures says that we all have a confidence account and every decision we make will mean a deposit in our confidence account or a withdrawal. For example, me writing this post is deposit while going home and watching a movie may be a withdrawal.
2. Speak with authority
One of the things recently that I have been trying to eliminate is the words "I think." It doesn't really come across as you are really confident about what you are saying.
Something else to eliminate are the umms and ahs in your talking. That shows hesitation and a lack of confidence. Toastmasters is a way to get rid of those umms and ahs.
3. Exercise
I went to the gym this morning. I must admit the second workout wasn't much fun but I'm glad I went. It makes me feel more confident and gives me more energy and it is just good for your health. What more can I say?
It goes back to Peter Voogd's confidence account. You go to the gym and you make a deposit in your confidence account. You stay in bed and watch television and you make a withdrawal.
4. Passing judgement on other people
Do you really need to do this? Sure, it might make you feel good but for how long? It is like having a large helping of fast food. It tastes good for sure and it makes you happy but for how long? Stop judging people and you will feel good about yourself.
5. Try to listen rather than speak.
The more you listen and ask interesting questions the more people are going to like you and want to spend time with you and believe me when I say that that will do wonders for your confidence levels. They say that we were giving two ears and one mouth for a reason, so stop talking and start listening. As they say, you might learn something.
6. Take a risk or two
By jumping out of your comfort zone you are going to increase your confidence levels. Think about it, if you decide to jump out of an airplane or jump off a bridge with a rubber band around your ankles then things that happen after that are not going to matter much and you are not going to feel the fear as much because you have taken a risk and anything after that is quite easy.
7. Don't be afraid to be wrong.
You might think that making a mistake may bring your confidence crashing down but it doesn't necessarily have to be that way. By admitting your mistakes you are showing a lot of confidence and it may even win you some respect from the people around you.
Remember that you are not going to wake up one day and suddenly be confident. Confidence will build up slowly over time by making the right decisions and building up that confidence account.
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