Confidence is an interesting topic, it is something we can’t physically touch, but we can recognize it within ourselves and others. Confidence can be thought of as a belief in one’s ability to succeed. Too much of it and you can come off as being cocky or you can overlook avenues for growth. Too little creates the opposite problem where you start become risk averse.
What in can be accomplished without confidence?
In many ways, I would like to think nothing. You can’t connect to some authentically, if you are not confident in who you are. Ideas won’t be shared for projects or your art with your boss, your friends or the world, if you lack it. You can’t tell someone you love them, without being vulnerable to a rejection.
Confidence is a major component to any successful endeavor and more importantly it is not static. Meaning that, if one chose they wanted to believe more confidence they could do so. You can cultivate confidence, but it takes a deliberate decision to develop or to push through barriers.
When we lack confidence we start to believe we are not good enough.
The truth is that you are good enough, you are worthy and you can succeed. It may take you more time than others, but its unfair to compare our process to another persons. If we constantly compare our success with others it robs us from the ability to enjoy our own success and accomplishments. How do I know? Because I have lived it…
Every person at times will go through a season of Fall or Winter in their lives. It’s part of our growth process, but it’s what we do in those seasons that can make all the difference. If you read nearly any research or book on confidence you will always find a core theme that confidence can be built.
To build our confidence we can:
Sharing your Passions with Others
- It’s easy to not the recognize the progress we have made, how far we’ve come and how much we have to offer others. By sharing your knowledge with someone, not only can you serve, but it reinforces your own success and progress.
Acknowledge your Strengths
Write down your accomplishments and your strengths. Read over your list regularly to remind yourself of your strengths. Reminding ourselves our strengths allows us to recognize that we have made it this far with more than just luck.
Address your Self-Doubt
When you start to feel self-doubt, don’t suppress it, instead recognize it and address it. Talk through the emotions or feelings associated to that self-doubt and finding the trigger with a trusted friend. If you aren’t comfortable being vulnerable in this way try writing in a journal. Respond to your self-criticism with compassion and with the desire to have understanding.
Give Yourself Permission
Changing your behavior and thoughts can be instrumental in changing the way you feel. Do the things that you love. Give your self permission to not take yourself too seriously. Give yourself the freedom to not always be on top of your game, it creates space to climb out of a rut when you get stuck.
Accept Compliments with Grace
Commit to accepting compliments with a simple, “thank you.”
Confidence is a belief and a feeling. You don’t have a feeling and simply sustain it forever. If you notice a child, they may be get angry, but within minutes they are no longer angry. A confidence like any feeling is something we can cultivate in our lives.
Most of the time when you have confidence, you believe that things will turn out well. You are willing, worthy and moreover capable of being amongst others and that sense of “I belong here.” If you don’t have the confidence currently… you can develop it. Yes, it will be uncomfortable and yes, you are worth it!
Do you have it? How do you recognize when you are confident? How do you recognize confidence in others? If you’ve enjoyed this post, please do me a favor, share it and sign up to be notified of future posts.