The beginning of a new year is always the ideal time to reflect on our past actions and think of ways to improve ourselves and our lives. What has been preventing you from becoming the best version of yourself in the year we left behind? Was it maybe a lack of confidence to try new things or stand up for yourself?
This has been an obstacle for many great people. But many great people have learned how to overcome it. Self-confidence is not only necessary for achieving success or establishing authority – it’s essential for living a happy and fulfilled life. If you are ready, here are some ways to boost your confidence in 2022.
“Know Yourself and You Will Win All Battles”
This is a quote from the book “The Art of War” by Chinese military general, strategist, and philosopher Sun Tzu. Building confidence in fake ideas of yourself is like when the piglet from “The Three Little Pigs” story built its house out of straw. All the work is torn down by the first “wolf” who says something wrong to you.
Of course, it’s difficult to view ourselves from an objective angle. The key is to try to do it without being judgmental. Not all people are equal, and you may excel in some situations that others can’t handle well. Think about where you feel the most comfortable and sure of yourself. Try to see your uniqueness as an advantage.
Embrace and Accept Yourself
Once you get to know yourself, it’s going to take conscious work to accept all your qualities and flaws. Don’t compare yourself to others – this is a sure path to questioning everything you are and everything you do. Accept that perfection is an unrealistic goal. Even the people you think are ideal have their doubts and fears, and most definitely their flaws.
Still, Strive for Improvement
Accepting yourself doesn’t mean not changing or improving the things you can change. Focus on identifying the things that are within your control and see how you can make them work for you. Try writing down one thing that you are not satisfied with, and then think of three ways to change it. This can be something as simple as waking up earlier in the morning or something more elaborate like learning Spanish. Learning new languages not only makes you competitive on the job market but also helps you become more confident.
Step out of Your Comfort Zone Sometimes
It’s important to be comfortable with your surroundings. However, you should also try out new things and do something outside your comfy bubble. Leaving that bubble creates enough energy to ramp up your creativity and focus. It keeps your brain sharp and helps you cultivate adaptability. And, it helps you become stronger and more confident. Some good examples of stepping out of the comfort zone include traveling alone, meeting new people, trying a new look, speaking in public, and facing your fears.
Think Positively – Act Positively
Confidence comes from positive thoughts. Of course, positive thinking is difficult for people who have a habit of putting themselves down. Instead of doing that, try to remind yourself of your accomplishments and strengths, no matter how small they might seem.
Positive thinking leads to positive action. This is a healthy, assertive behavior that includes taking risks, setting goals, and solving problems. Positive thinking and action will keep you motivated in achieving your goals, make you feel happy, and give you an increased sense of confidence and self-efficacy.
Resist Your Imposter Syndrome
Imposter syndrome is an internal experience of thinking that you are not as capable as others perceive you are. It’s the little voice inside your head that tells you your accomplishments don’t count and that you are a fraud. If you feel like that, try:
- getting someone (preferably a therapist) to help you assess your abilities more realistically
- focusing on doing things well instead of perfectly
- stopping comparing yourself to others
- using social media moderately
- refusing to let it hold you back
Take a few moments each day to remember your accomplishments, write them down, and don’t attribute them to outside factors.
Forgive Yourself
Are you hard on yourself for every mishap, regardless of whether we’re talking about a spilled glass of water or lost work documents? Now try this. Imagine if someone else made the same mistake and came to tell you about that. How would you react? Would you think that it’s not so bad and that they shouldn’t blame themselves so much? Try to step outside of your body to see just how tiny your mistakes are compared to your accomplishments.
In Closing
Finally, boosting confidence can be challenging, especially if you’ve spent your whole life doubting yourself. The good news is that you don’t have to do it alone. Build a support network with people of shared experiences or friends that make you feel good about yourself. Talking to a therapist can also be helpful. You’ve got this!
