Hi guys! This week we’re talking about confidence. I think everyone and their mother has struggled feeling confident at times. I know I have, so here’s a few tips I’ve learned about faking confidence until you’ve really got it!
- Stand up straight
This is a pretty easy one. This comes from the use of body language when communicating. Standing up with your back straight is an easy way to be perceived as confident and knowledgeable. This can be used anywhere from the workplace to high school presentations. Think about a string running from your head to your heels that is gently pulling you up. This is also good for your back (I would know, I have terrible posture!)
2. Breathe
So often when we’re nervous, we forget to breathe. This impacts our speech in numerous ways. It leads to speed-talking, voice cracks, shaky words… you know what this looks like. To fight this, practice deep breathing a minute or two before you’re going into a room or about to present something. Try taking deep breaths and feel your stomach going in and out. Using the stomach instead of the chest to breathe activates the parasympathetic nervous system, meaning you’re actually relaxing yourself and lowering your heart rate!
3. Wear something you actually like
This is something huge that I’ve realized recently. I’m still learning the balance between comfy and presentable. As a college kid I can wear leggings and t shirts every day if I choose, but I’ve found even by wearing jeans and a sweater that I feel more confident and more myself. When you feel good about what you’re wearing, it shows! Imagine the difference between wearing an itchy sweater that is too tight and rides up every time you try to do something and a soft, cozy sweater that’s a new trendy color or style. Which one will you be more likely to feel comfortable and totally rock? The one you actually like and feels good! Big day at work? Get up a couple minutes early and pick out something you like to wear. Have an outdated closet and don’t know what to wear? Check back for a post on this later.
4. Create a mantra
Okay, this is something I have yet to do, but have heard can work! The idea is to become more self-confident, you come up with a mantra and say it every day until you start to believe it. This could mean confronting your personal issues with your weight by saying, “this is my body and I’m going to love it for what it can do.” It can mean being content in what you have by saying, “I have what I need to succeed.” These are just a few examples and there are plenty on Pinterest or by just Googling different ones. I encourage you to pick one and write it on a post-it and stick it on your mirror or in your car or make it your phone screen.
5. Remember that you’re exactly where you need to be in this moment
You are exactly where you are for a reason. You deserve this position and you worked hard to get here. Don’t let your doubts undermine this! You are ready and this is where you need to be in this moment. Wherever it is that you are, it’s for a reason! “What if I’m not good enough?” Well, what if you are? “What if I fail?” You’re going to fail sometimes. And that’s okay. Just pick yourself back up and remember what this taught you. For every “what if” situation, fight it with what could go right. There’s a higher chance of the latter happening anyway!
I hope you feel encouraged and a little more confident after reading this! This is just a short list of things that I’ve heard or have used that help me.
Sunshine and Coffee 