Having confidence in your own abilities can be really hard if your day doesn't get off to a good start. We tend to focus on the negatives over the positives when we don't feel good enough or when we just feel drained. If you're feeling stressed or out of touch with your own needs, try to take a moment to focus on ways you can improve your confidence and self-esteem:
Smile in the mirror: If you don’t already, smiling in the mirror can actually help boost your confidence and self-esteem. Take 5 minutes each day to focus on yourself: your goals, your emotions, your energy levels, and more. Look in the mirror, remind yourself of the things you have already accomplished, and smile because you deserve it. This process is about finding your potential, so if you’re interested, check out some ways that this mirror technique can help you.
Know your limits: Having a good sense of boundary in your life can be vital in developing good self-esteem. Knowing your limits — what does and does not make you comfortable — can help you in the long run. That being said, don’t be afraid to explore outside your comfort zone — just be aware of your limits.
Write down your achievable goals: From the time we enter school and even throughout adulthood, we are constantly encouraged to hold on to our dreams and write down our goals. While I love to write down and work toward my larger goals and dreams, I also find it useful to write down my smaller aspirations — from doing my laundry before midnight to even finishing a paper a few days early. These little accomplishments can help you feel more confident and help you task manage.
Power Pose (Superhero Pose): As Amy Cuddy once said in a TED Talk, “Your body language shapes who you are.” The Superhero Pose (or Power Pose) is a simple addition to your morning routine that can help you feel and become more confident in yourself and your abilities. The pose is fairly simple, especially if you’re a fan of superhero movies: you stand tall, with your feet spread shoulder length apart, hands on your hips and smiling. The first time I heard this, I thought it sounded silly, and I definitely didn’t think it would work or have any positive effect on me. I was very wrong. This pose gives you a sense of power in your abilities, boosting your confidence and self-esteem, so that you can have the best day possible. Don’t believe it? Check out this informative article from Psychology Today to learn about the scientific research behind this pose’s success.
Make gratitude lists: Even if you’re feeling down in the dumps, making a list of the things you are grateful for can seriously improve your mood. It gives you a chance to think about and appreciate the good in your life. It’s a simple and relatively quick task that can help you think more positively, even at the end of a bad day.
Learn to say no, confidently: Enough said.
Let go of toxic presences in your life: As humans, we are bound to encounter people who hinder us in numerous ways. Learning to let go of toxic people — the people who cause you distress or anxiety, the people who bully or taunt, or the people who use you as a means to an end — can help you move forward. Letting go can be extremely difficult, especially if you’ve built a strong relationship with that person, but you need a healthy and safe environment to truly thrive.
Avoid comparisons: Remember that you are your own person. You have your own set of skills, your own personality, your own emotions, and so much more. It’s not worth spending your energy comparing yourself to someone with a completely different set of talents. You are unbelievable and great in your own way.
