How You Can Begin to Build Your Self-Confidence
Self-confidence is not a personality trait as most people would understand it. It's a skill that helps you succeed in situations you face. As a skill, you can acquire it, further develop it, and capitalize on the situations in which you find yourself. Here are seven ways you can build and your self-confidence in any area of your life, and be the best version of you.
Be Inside and Outside Your "Box." There are two sides to how you can look at your proverbial "box," who you are and the way you think. There are times you gain confidence by working within your box and accomplishing things. Then, there are times you can succeed outside your box and exclaim, "I did it." Be inside and outside your box the best way you can.
Face Fear and Self-Doubt. There will always be those who will question your mental and physical capabilities to accomplish something. Ironically, that someone will often be your inner self, the part of you who is aware of past failures and worried about failing again. Put aside the naysayers, including your fearful inner self, and confidently act.
Act and Accomplish. Nike's slogan, "Just do it," comes to mind. How many times have you waited to act until it was the perfect time, or you had everything in order, ready to go? Sometimes the more you think about doing something, the more you let thoughts and feelings form a web around your intentions, preventing you from going forward.
Cherish the Small Successes. It's good to remember small successes over time can add up to big and great successes in the long run, if only you have the patience and discipline to walk the steady walk in your endeavors. Small successes keep you going. They give you confidence to build upon each success and keep going until you've accomplished your goals.
Compare Yourself to Yourself. In an age when advertising, the media, and even parents and teachers directly or indirectly encourage you to be like others, it's good to remember you are a unique creation of a God who make no mistakes, and a creator who wants you to confidently be yourself. As you appreciate how unique and special you are, your confidence will grow.
Pat Yourself on the Back. Don't be afraid to reach over your shoulder and pat yourself on the back when your think you deserve it. You may be the only person who knows the time, effort, resources you expended, and the chances you took, especially if you went counter to the the voices inside and around you.
Thank the One Who Counts. On the other hand, no matter what you accomplish, and no matter how your efforts turn out, give thanks to your creator, your sustainer, and the source of all that happens to you and through you, almighty God. Offer praise to the one who allowed you to be part of his majestic plan.
Also read: How Do You Keep You from Success?
In God's Words
"Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident." (Psalm 27:3)
"So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised." (Hebrews 10:35-36)
"I can do all this through him who gives me strength." (Philippians 4:13)
In the Words of Others
"Inaction breeds doubt and fear. Action breeds confidence and courage. If you want to conquer fear, do not sit home and think about it. Go out and get busy." Dale Carnegie
"Believe in yourself! Have faith in your abilities! Without a humble but reasonable confidence in your own powers you cannot be successful or happy." Norman Vincent Peale
In Your Words
How do you maintain your self-confidence, especially when things don't seem to be going as you expect, and you feel like quitting?
What are some of the challenges you've had to face in maintaining your self-confidence? How have you overcome them?
What role does your faith in God and how he has created you play in how confident you are in yourself in your daily life?
