Self-confidence is rarely something we are born with.
But rather, it is a skill. A skill that can be practiced, honed, and mastered.
In his world-famous TEDx Talk, my friend Dr. Ivan Joseph, a world-renowned Self-Confidence authority, defines confidence as:
"The ability or the belief in yourself to accomplish any task no matter the odds, no matter the difficulty, no matter the adversity.”
There are plenty of BIG initiatives that you can take to grow your self-confidence. However, in a pinch, these 8 simple and powerful tips will bolster your belief in yourself:
Walk 25% faster. Throw your shoulders back, lift up your head, pick up your pace, and feel your confidence grow.
Talk slooooowly. People who feel that they aren't worthy of being listened to tend to rush their speaking. Slow. It. Down.
Make your bed in the morning. And then ‘celebrate’. Intentionally pat yourself on the back. You will feel a sense of accomplishment that will pave the way for bigger goals as the day progresses.
Dress well. This may seem trite. Or even cliché. But when you dress well, (by whatever definition works for you), you are likely to feel more confident.
"A well dressed woman—even if her purse is painfully empty—can conquer the world."
- Louise Brooks
5. Bolster your knowledge. Empowering yourself with know-how, in general, is one of the purest strategies for building confidence.
6. Front seats only. Have you ever noticed that in a meeting the back rows fill up first? Don't do it.
7. Make eye contact. Eye contact plays a vital role in your confidence. With it, you will connect more effectively, understand more thoroughly, and make a better impression.
Overall, adults only make eye contact 30-60 percent of the time when speaking to individuals or groups. For optimal emotional connection eye contact should be made 60-70 percent of the time.
(Quantified Analytics)
8. Practice speaking up. In a meeting, conference, or casual event, practice making comments, suggestions, or asking questions. Repetition repetition repetition. It will get easier.
Give these a try and let me know what you think.
What would you add?
Happy leadership.
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