7 Tips to Boost Your Confidence!

As a teenager and a college student trying to become competitive and prepare for the real world, I sometimes struggle with insecurity and a lack of self-confidence. Especially in the age of social media, it is so easy to compare myself to others and believe that I am not enough. There are times when I feel on top of the world one day and then feel completely down on myself the next. However, with a few simple changes, I’ve started to slowly build more confidence in myself and you can too!

I came up with my top 7 tips on how to boost your confidence! I hope these tips help you empower you to bloom into the confident and beautiful girl that you are! 

(If you've never seen Legally Blonde, watch this clip.) 

Oftentimes, we limit ourselves to what we have been told we can do. Don’t restrict yourself to this kind of thinking! Take a few minutes and make a list of the limits that other people have been telling you or that you've been telling yourself. Maybe your limits look a little bit like, "you can't get good grades", "you can't make friends" or "you can't get in shape".

Take a moment to reflect on your list and remind yourself that you have so much power within you to accomplish whatever you set your mind to! Change your self-limits to affirmations and goals such as, "I am capable of achieving high grades", "I am a good friend and I want to attract other like-minded people to me", and "I will make it a habit of eating healthy and working out on a regular basis." 

2. Change Your Attitude

Think positively! Our minds naturally may shift to negative thinking and we may tend to think negatively about ourselves. As the saying goes, “you’re your own worst critic.” Rather than tear yourself down, reflect on the situation (or yourself) as a whole. Look at both the good and the bad and allow yourself to feel both, but reflect on each positive note individually. Try to move on once you identify the negatives and don’t let yourself get caught up in them. The negatives are not actually negatives; they are simply ways on how you can grow and improve. 

3. Trust Yourself

Yes, it is easy to doubt yourself and your abilities, but, there is only one YOU! You are capable of amazing things! You can succeed at what you put your mind to. Identify some doubts that you have and write them down. Why do have these doubts? Are they things that people have told you about yourself that just aren't true? Are your doubts past failures? Every failure is an opportunity to learn and try again! 

4. Physically Show Confidence

Even if you do not emotionally and mentally feel confident, changing your body language to reflect confidence will automatically begin to change your mindset and attitude. In other words, fake it ’til you make it! Straighten your back. Keep your head held high. Maintain open body language. Speak louder. Dress in your favorite, cutest clothes. Playing the part of a confident person will make you feel confident inside.

Watch this video to learn more about the importance of body language. 

5. Treat Yourself

Sometimes, you need to treat yourself to gain a little extra boost of confidence! Take a spa day, get a massage, get your nails and hair done, buy a new outfit, exercise, etc. You have to take care of yourself and make sure you feel good and comfortable in order to grow your confidence. Do what makes you feel good! 

6. Remember Past Accomplishments

When you feel down on yourself, take a moment to reflect on some of your past accomplishments. Why do you think we receive trophies, ribbons, and certificates? So that we can look back on them and feel PROUD!

You have achieved SO much and you CAN do it again! Looking ahead and seeing what you aspire to be may seem so far off, but remind yourself of how far you’ve come since you started! You have great things AHEAD and you are only going to continue to grow and move forward toward your goals! The best is yet to come!

7. Celebrate Small Successes

Large goals take time to achieve! Not every good thing comes instantly. Break down long-term goals into smaller goals and celebrate your small successes and triumphs! This will build your confidence and self-trust. Reaching these small goals are successes worth celebrating!

Developing confidence can seem like a daunting task, but with small changes, you can completely transform your outlook and become the best version of yourself!

xoxo,

Allison