Have you ever wondered how important it is to be confident? Confidence is one of the biggest obstacles many people face on the daily basis. Although knowing our worth is one of the most important things in life, many people have trouble seeing how special they are. The constant “trying and failing” loop of life can influence the way we look at ourselves.

Confidence is the “belief in oneself and one’s powers or abilities,” but, of course, no one here has any magical powers, but it is about what you believe you can do. I personally believe that I can do anything, but that is just me. I believe that anything you want to do, if you put all your energy and work for it, you can do. But let’s not confuse this with arrogance. Arrogance is believing you are better than those around you. Arrogance is not confidence. Confidence is about self-love and self-worth; it’s about understanding your strengths and weakness and how to leverage them in your daily life.

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO HAVE CONFIDENCE IN YOURSELF?

Because being confident helps you become successful. But Angie, you might say, how is this true? A study performed by the University of Texas demonstrates that students who gained some confidence in their ability performed better later on than those who were simply told to aim for higher standards. Well, let’s think about it. When you have confidence in yourself and what can you do, you believe that your efforts will pay off. Likewise, when you believe that your efforts will pay off, you’re willing to step up your game and step out of your comfort zone and take action. When you are confident, you’re more willing to commit to your goals. You work harder and longer because you believe your efforts will reward you. That, by itself, increases your odds of success.

Additionally, confidence is important because other people can see it. This is important because confidence is reassuring to others, because it creates trust. Trust is extremely important in the business world. Would you want to do business with someone you don’t trust? No. No one would want to do business with you if they don’t trust you. If you want to be trusted by others, you must first trust yourself. That is confidence.

TIPS TO IMPROVE CONFIDENCE

• First, accept yourself. You have to make peace with who you are.
• Increase positive affirmation. Remind yourself every day of all your accomplishments. Make a list that you can refer whenever you feel doubtful about yourself. Another way is to teach or to be a mentor in a subject you are proficient in. Explaining the things you know and understand well to other people will boost your confidence.
• Visualization and goal management can help you to see your accomplishments. Setting, keeping track, and meeting goals will confirm that you can do anything you set out to do.
• Challenge yourself. Do that thing that you fear—the one thing that challenges you and keep doing it until you don’t fear it anymore—until you mastered it.
• The effects working out has on your confidence are so overwhelming that it can’t be understated. When you exercise, your body releases a cocktail of endorphins that make you feel pretty good as is. When you’re done, you have tangible proof that you’ve done something constructive and everything in your body is programmed to second that response. If you keep at it long-term, the results of a healthier body become more and more visible.
• Dress well and look your best. When you look good, you feel good. When your appearance aligns with how you want people to view you, confidence can easily follow.
• Get better. Work on those things you don’t like about yourself.
• Be yourself! There is only one person like you in this world. We are all special. We all have something to offer, so believe that you are good enough.

I understand the fear of humiliation is strong and really hard to overcome, but confidence is not controlled by anyone else—it is controlled by you only. Although you can use all these tips and tricks to improve your confidence, you need to remember that the only approval you need is your own. Completely accept who are and make peace with yourself because what really matters is not how you portray yourself to others, but how you feel about yourself.

Trust yourself. Create the kind of self that you will be happy to live with all your life. Make the most of yourself by fanning the tiny, inner sparks of possibility into flames of achievement.” — Golda Meir