The ability to believe in yourself when no one else will, the ability to believe in your capabilities and not be limited by what people define you to be, that feeling that helps you to keep your head held up wherever you go, accepting and trusting yourself, having a sense of self control in your life. That is self confidence. Although, it is a feeling that we believe ourselves to not possess, there’s no need to worry, it can be developed!
Lack of self-confidence on the other hand is a crippling feeling that makes you want to hide at the back of the room, keep your head held low while walking and doubt your capabilities.
Lack of self-confidence presents itself in various means, as list below:
- Fear of failure
- People-pleasing
- Social anxiety
- Sensitivity to criticism
- Difficulty making decisions
- Procrastination
- Lack of motivation
- Jealousy of others
- Withdrawal from activities
- Worrying about what others think.
Practical Steps to Develop Self Confidence
We will discuss some practical steps to develop self confidence, and provide some keys to unlocking the art of believing in yourself.
Self-care:
From the simple act of daily skincare to cutting off from toxic relationships and situations, prioritizing yourself and giving yourself proper care can build your self-confidence. Taking care of yourself physically and mentally, eating healthy, exercising and getting enough sleep is important as it sends a positive message to you that you are worth it.
Silence the inner critic:
Reframe negative self-talk into supportive affirmations. When that voice whispers, “You’ll never be good enough,” counter it with a powerful, “I am worthy and capable.” Feed yourself positivity!
Practice Self-Compassion:
Treat yourself with the same kindness and understanding you’d offer a friend. Forgive yourself for mistakes and celebrate your progress, no matter how small. My friend once told me about a strategy that helps children grow better. Instead of condemning them for not producing a perfect result, appreciate them for the effort. The time and sacrifice put into that action, appreciate yourself for it. You’ll see how much of a difference it can make.
Celebrate your wins:
Either big or small, every accomplishment you achieve is absolutely worth celebrating, it is proof that step by step, you are getting better at what you do.
Change Perspectives:
Instead of viewing failure as the end, embrace it and view it as an opportunity to learn and become better. We all stumble in life and make mistakes but instead of dwelling on them, you can use the opportunity to learn and develop your self-confidence.
Step outside your comfort zone:
Challenge yourself to new tasks, put your hand up to answer a question, actively pitch during group discussions, learn a new skill, wear that new dress that looks fantastic on you. Growth happens outside comfort, even if it seems daunting, trying new things outside your comfort zone is a key to developing self-confidence.
Practice self-affirmations:
As a man thinketh, so he is. Repeating positive statements to yourself can affect how you see yourself. Repeat to yourself daily “I’m beautiful” “I am smart” “I am good at what I do” “I am capable of anything” “Whatever I put my heart to, I can achieve”. Instead of focusing on your weaknesses, identify your strengths and build them.
Surround Yourself with Positivity:
It is understandable that we often cannot control the situations we find ourselves in, we can control how we react to said situations. Surround yourself not only with positivity but also with people that fuel positivity. It could be a youth group, an organization, or an online community. It could be your friends and family.
Develop a growth mindset:
People with a growth mindset believe their abilities can be developed through hard work and dedication. Instead of thinking “I’m not good at this,” tell yourself “I’m still learning.“
Remember, personal development is not about the destination but about the journey. Go easy on yourself, practice self-compassion and watch as your self-confidence grows exponentially.
