In fact, self-confidence plays a very important role in a person's ability to enjoy life. In addition, a person's confidence and happiness in his existence can also be transmitted to the people around him, you know! If you want to become a more confident person, there are a few habits you should practice first. First, improve your posture by standing up straighter and making eye contact with other people. Then, improve your behavior as well. Be comfortable with your existence and all the decisions you make. After that, move on to improve your lifestyle, by pushing yourself to take more risks to change for the better.
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Part 1 of 3: Using Body Language
Step 1. Stand as straight as possible
Want to look more confident? Make your body look “bigger and taller” to represent that confidence! Throughout the day, do your best to maintain this posture.
- Make your posture look straight. In other words, pull your shoulders back to make your chest appear wider, and lift your head as high as you can.
- When standing, keep your feet together. Then, relax your knees while transferring your weight to the lower body area to keep you on the ground.
Step 2. Make eye contact
Generally, confident people will appear enthusiastic in a conversation. Therefore, do not hesitate to look at the person you are talking to while conversing with him, and maintain that eye contact. Don't be so quick to look away after speaking!
Avoid common behaviors that indicate a split in your focus, such as constantly looking at your phone or scanning the room
Step 3. Turn your body towards the other person
In other words, turn your torso so that it faces the person you're talking to. Doing so can also significantly increase your confidence and make you appear more “engaged” in the conversation. Therefore, from now on pay greater attention to your body position in the conversation. Apply this method, your confidence will no longer be doubted by others!
Step 4. Move your hands when you speak
Doing so can make you appear more interested in the topic at hand. Armed with this interest and enthusiasm, you will appear more confident with the issues being discussed. After all, you too will appear more “alive” and soulful in the eyes of others!
- Move your hands naturally to help illustrate a subject. If you haven't done this in a long time, try practicing in front of a mirror to find out which hand movements are the most natural and feel comfortable.
- However, keep control of your hand movements! Sometimes, movements that are too wild or uncontrolled will actually be considered less attractive by others.
Step 5. Show an open posture
Try to stay relaxed and open so others can feel more comfortable around you. Doing so will make you appear more comfortable when talking to other people, and this attitude can be seen as a form of self-confidence. Therefore, do not show a closed posture!
- Show your palm when you speak.
- Don't cross your arms or hide your hands.
- Keep your arms at waist level when speaking. Such a posture can be interpreted as confidence and openness.
Part 2 of 3: Cultivating the Right Behavior
Step 1. Embrace your flaws
As weird as it sounds, actually being aware of your flaws can make you appear more confident in the eyes of others! In fact, no one is perfect. That is why, trying to cover up shortcomings can be interpreted as insecurity or low self-esteem. So instead of trying to hide your weaknesses, try to embrace and accept them as part of your whole being.
- Don't let those flaws define you. Learn to like and accept the fact that sometimes, you talk more than you should or hate your physical appearance. After all, they are only a very small part of your whole being!
- By being aware of and accepting your flaws, you will lessen your desire to hide them. This behavior can be seen as self-confidence, you know, by others!
Step 2. Take responsibility for your actions
People who lack self-confidence tend to make up excuses to hide their mistakes. On the other hand, confident people know that mistakes or failures are not the deciding factor in their lives. Therefore, learn to be responsible for all your decisions, both positive and negative impacts. As a result, you will look more confident in the eyes of others!
- Remember, the only person who can make events happen in your life is yourself. In other words, you have the power to control and direct the course of your life, both positive and negative.
- If something goes wrong, don't try to justify or minimize its impact. Instead, try to think, “I did make a mistake. Next time, I mustn't make the wrong decision again."
Step 3. Have that "as if" mentality that self-confidence really exists
Whenever you lose confidence, try shouting "Then why?!" Doing so will help you act with confidence, even if real doubts remain. Always remember that the worst thing that can happen is failure to realize your vision. For example:
- “I wanted to defend myself and say something, but they might not agree with what I said.” So what?!
- "I want to go to the event, but I'm afraid I don't know many people there." So what?!
- "I'll probably forget my words during the presentation later." So what?!
Step 4. Avoid bad habits when speaking
Be aware of your speaking style. In fact, some words and phrases can make you look less confident in front of other people, you know! Therefore, try to avoid diction or tone of voice that can bury your confidence at the bottom of the earth.
- Never start a sentence with a self-deprecating statement, such as, "I'm no expert, but …" or "This is just my opinion, but …" Also avoid "What if…" phrases that can make you sound less confident.
- Diction like “only” is unnecessary and can make you appear nervous or unsure.
- Also be aware of the tendency to end questions with a questioning tone. Such behavior can be viewed as nervousness or lack of confidence and should be avoided.
Part 3 of 3: Changing Your Lifestyle to Boost Your Confidence
Step 1. Develop an action plan and try to implement it
Remember, believers are almost impossible to stop halfway! In other words, they will not set a very big goal only to screw it up before it is realized. Therefore, try to develop an action plan and stick to it consistently to increase your confidence.
- Determine the areas that need to be developed. The area can be personal! For example, you want to do household chores better. Or, the area can also be professional, such as the desire to work harder to find a better profession.
- Develop an action plan. Set specific deadlines and actions that need to be taken to achieve these goals.
- Execute your plan. Even simple steps can increase your confidence, you know! Although not everything you want can be achieved, do not despair. As long as you always try to take real action, surely self-confidence will still emerge and develop.
Step 2. Find the right mentor
If you want to increase your self-confidence, one way is to surround yourself with confident people. For example, try to find a woman whose self-confidence you really admire. Then, ask him for help to overhaul your confidence.
- You can find this figure at work. For example, invite a coworker who is very confident to drink coffee together so you can learn and adopt the character.
- Or, you can also find this figure in a social environment. For example, if you have a friend who has very high self-esteem, try asking their advice to improve your self-confidence.
Step 3. Prioritize self-care
Remember, taking care of yourself is different from pampering yourself. If you want to build confidence and maintain it, taking care of yourself is key! Your body must be rested as one of the stages to maintain that confidence.
- Give yourself a simple gift. For example, you could reward yourself with a warm soak at the end of the day, or take a walk around the complex to clear your head after a busy day at work.
- Take the time to meet the most basic needs. Get enough sleep, eat regularly, and give yourself plenty of free time to rest.
- Schedule a special time to take care of yourself on a regular basis, and stick to that schedule even though the busyness seems to be getting busier.
Step 4. Exercise to increase self-confidence
Doing regular physical activity not only has various health benefits, it can also increase your self-confidence! By exercising regularly, you will surely feel more confident in your body condition and capabilities.
- Early in the process, it's natural for a new exercise routine to overwhelm you. That's why you shouldn't give in to the fear or fatigue that comes up at this stage!
- Follow this routine consistently, even if you don't like exercising. Sooner or later, you will realize that your body has started to get used to the routine, and will begin to feel the benefits for your body and mind.
Step 5. Experiment with new things
Don't stay too long in your comfort zone! If you want to make big changes in your life, of course the first step you have to do is force yourself to get out of your comfort zone, right? Trust me, your confidence will slowly increase after that.
- Do something that makes you feel intimidated. For example, go to a bar alone to make new friends, try a new exercise routine at the gym, or do an activity that makes you nervous but you've always wanted to try.
- Push your intellect to the limit. Read books that feel "heavy" or take a class on a subject that is less familiar to you.
