Posted by Shivali Anand
January 20, 2022 | 4-minute read (749 words)
When it comes to standing out as an entrepreneur and growing your company, the ability to confidently articulate your abilities, knowledge and experience is crucial. In meetings with clients, proposals to investors and even talks with your team, you'll need to portray confidence as part of your personal brand.
However, there will be times when you lack confidence. Maybe you're in a job that requires abilities you don't yet have or you're inexperienced compared to your co-workers. Perhaps you're new to the business and fear being evaluated. Negative peer relationships, mainly when there is a pack mentality, can also erode confidence.
The good thing is that you can boost your self-esteem and confidence even if you're self-conscious and insecure. This will have a domino effect, as the more confidence you exude, the more others will reciprocate. We've compiled the following list of 10 research-backed methods for improving self-confidence when you're feeling down.
1. Hold your head high
Your posture and body language significantly impact how confident you appear. It is ideal for standing tall with your shoulders back and hands at your sides or to sit in a solid posture. According to research, proper posture might help you feel better about yourself by improving your internal dialogue.
2. Stay focused
Confidence is the result of strenuous effort combined with a positive attitude. You must maintain your attention on yourself. Concentrate on achieving your objectives regardless of workplace gossip and politics.
3. Don't lose your cool
It displays insecurity if you are apprehensive or agitated in the heat of the moment. Maintain a calm demeanor and, if your hands are trembling, keep them still or hide them from view. Maintain a quiet, clear and controlled tone in your speech and avoid making nervous or enthusiastic movements. The tone of your voice influences people's perceptions of your words.
4. Have faith in yourself
It's a lot simpler to look confident when you genuinely believe in yourself and what you're saying. Do your studies before every presentation or meeting and come prepared with a few things on which you are confident. Instead of inventing something up at the moment, just confess it if you don't have the answer to a question.
5. Maintain an optimistic outlook
You must develop a positive attitude. Positive does not always mean happy; it may also mean tenacity. Concentrate on how you can give answers rather than spending a lot of time thinking about or debating an issue.
6. Build on your strengths and overcome your flaws
Make a list of your strengths and capitalize on them. One of the most effective strategies to increase confidence in identifying your skills and finding ways to incorporate them into your everyday routine. Identify your weaknesses and try to improve them. Make a strategy to improve or eliminate any flaws affecting your self-assurance. You shouldn't obsess about it, but you should be aware that admitting your faults and working hard to overcome them might help you build confidence.
7. Make sure you look your best
You must make a positive first impression. People associate individuals who dress nicely with being more capable and confident. It displays that you care about your appearance and assists you in projecting authority. Make sure your clothing fits correctly, that you're aware of the dress code for any situation you're in and that you're not overdressed.
8. Pay attention to your body language
Keep an eye on your body language since even minor changes may significantly influence how people perceive your confidence. Even if you aren't feeling anxious or uneasy, body motions like tapping your foot or jiggling your thigh might make you look troubled and insecure. The golden guideline is to constantly face your audience and maintain regular eye contact to appear more assured.
9. Surround yourself with like-minded individuals
Your degree of confidence may also be influenced by social proof. Depending on the situation, you may want to bring a group of people with you that agree with your points of view and are always willing to back you up.
10. Seek feedback
Giving speeches and presentations to friends, classmates or people you trust is ideal for getting feedback and checking whether they think you're confident. If they don't, figure out what has to be changed. You can find out whether you have a personality trait or tic threatening your self-assurance. Inquire about your strengths and where they propose you concentrate your efforts. Others may point out abilities you aren't even aware of.
