Best Way to Boost Your Confidence

Transform your confidence by revamping your image

Buying as little as just one item of clothing, which will enable you to create a whole new outfit, can work wonders, as can sporting a great new hairstyle (provided you don’t make a rash decision to have it all cut off or bleached blonde: a bad hair mistake could plummet your confidence levels to even greater depths). As for your body: if you need to shed a few pounds, start exercising and following a healthy-eating plan – the motivation alone will increase your confidence.

Build up a positive self-image

Firstly, don’t allow another’s comment to undermine your self-image. Many people base their self-image on a remark that someone made two months or even two decades ago. If this is the case and it is still bothering you, try telling it to a friend or counsellor – you’ll soon release how petty it sounds. And remember, people who criticise others tend to be unhappy with themselves. Secondly, be aware that the reflection you see in the mirror has a dramatic influence on your self-image. If you spend every day in sloppy old leggings and a baggy jumper, you will get so used to seeing yourself as a frump that this vision will become your self-image. So dress well – for yourself as well as others.

Hype yourself up

Start by identifying your physical plus points and then bombard yourself with compliments. Say to yourself ‘I am gorgeous and sexy; I do have beautiful eyes, long legs, white teeth and a cracking smile.’ As well as hyping up your external assets, praise your work and value your personality highly, and you will soon find that any self-doubt is replaced by self-belief and greater self-confidence.

Boost your self-esteem with a list

Grab several sheets of paper and prepare to write the following lists:

• all your physical plusses i.e. eyes, lips, skin, hair, legs;
• everything that you have achieved in your life (this could include things like buying a house or car, passing exams, learning a language, having a child);
• all the things that you are good at, like sports, dancing, public-speaking, organising events and so on;
• all your personality traits i.e. kindness, generosity, thoughtfulness, ability to make others laugh.

Having compiled your lists, constantly remind yourself of your assets, achievements and skills. If you have any tangible proof of your talents, such as paintings, photographs or certificates, surround yourself with them.