It’s a well-known fact that a confident person is more attractive to the opposite sex. Said with the right air and confidence “Get your coat, you’ve pulled” does work.
But there are other benefits of having self-confidence:
- Health. Studies have shown that positive self-esteem and confidence are indicators of good mental health. And this starts in childhood! Children growing up with confidence in their own abilities tend to do better in school, take better care of themselves than their peers with low self-confidence levels, and excel in sports and socialization. This trend continues into adulthood. So give a little praise for f****s sake.
- Happiness. It is proven fact that people with healthy self-confidence are generally happier and more satisfied with their lives than people who lack self-confidence. This could be because they feel more able to cope with the stresses of life and can take on the world with more energy and enthusiasm. This in turn leads to more success and satisfaction. A positive attitude results from feeling good about yourself and knowing that your place in the world is important and meaningful.
- Increased Performance. Self-confident people don’t allow obstacles to stop them. Or even slow them down. They embrace them, tackle them, sure in their own abilities to come out on top. It is no coincidence that top athletes, entrepreneurs, public speakers, actors etc. all have an abundance of self-confidence. Had they not they will not have the confidence to trust their own abilities.
- Social Ease. People who are self-confident are more relaxed in social settings and when meeting new people. Because their belief in themselves is internal and not reliant on the judgment of others, they can freely move about without fear of rejection. They tend to have a more positive, energetic attitude to the future and people often gravitate towards them.
But…how do you become self-confident?
Here are six tips:
- Take credit for good work you’ve done. Don’t be embarrassed or say things like “it’s nothing really”. NO! BE PROUD. ”yeah I did that” no one else. I am actually very talented at writing, talking, telling jokes, eating a vindaloo in 5 seconds flat. Take your pick. It’s a talent that makes you a truly great person. Don’t hide it..
- Stop trying to please everyone. It’s ok to say no. In fact you can shout it if you want to. NO!…Thank you. It doesn’t make you a bad person. It makes you a strong person. The most important person to please is you. Put yourself first sometimes. Give yourself the last Rollo. You deserve it.
- Don’t beat yourself up over past mistakes/ regrets. It’s past. It’s over. Thank God it’s finished. I won’t do that again. So you will become a better person. You have learnt. No one is perfect. And I bet a lot of people have done worse. Forget about it. Move on.
- True friends support each other. Look at your social circle. Is it full of negativity? You need to break free of the nay Sayers. Find a positive circle that you believe in and in turn they will believe in you and you will believe in yourself. Cut the negativity out of your life. Harsh but necessary. It’s your life. Enjoy it.
- Take a risk/ challenge. Do something little out of the ordinary each day. Say hello to a stranger. Enrol in a sponsored parachute jump. Start an evening class. All these little things, perhaps slightly out of you comfort zone will increase you confidence immensely.
- Work on it. Self-confidence does not necessarily come over night. It can take time. DON’T lose heart. Work on it, it’s like a muscle. It needs bulking up. Push your boundaries a little each day and it will become a natural, habit. Self-confidence will soon be oozing through your pores
And remember. You are the best person to listen to. Trust you guts. You know what’s right for you. No one else knows you as well as yourself. People may think you’re mad. But it is your choice. Not theirs. You are living your own life not someone else’s.
