How to Build Your Confidence in Five Minutes a Day
Some of us seem to be born confident. Others have spent a lifetime working at it. The truth is, there are times each of us has felt rattled, underprepared or awkward. Though that feeling of not fitting in may be the very catalyst that has made us into who we are, it would be nice to be able to summon up confidence at will, whether to walk into a room and own it or to get on stage and speak in front of hundreds.
The good news is that you can develop confidence, without having to perform Herculean feats of strength or being able to leap a tall building in a single bound. Rather than earth-shattering feats of bravado, it’s the small actions you take on a daily basis that make the greatest difference. Here are four ways to build your confidence in just five minutes a day.
Think About What Makes You Feel Good
What makes you feel good about yourself? Identify and do it or incorporate it in your routine. Perhaps listening to your favorite music or reading an inspirational book or quote makes you feel great. Perhaps it’s doing heart-pumping cardio. Spend a few minutes engaging in an activity that brings you joy and makes you feel good.
Make Your Stack of Awesome
It’s normal to have some negative thoughts about yourself. We all have them. Shift your focus from these to your stack of awesome. Your stack of awesome is your list of at least 50 amazing attributes or accomplishments. Spend 5 minutes writing down your list. Tomorrow add a few more. Each day, either rewrite, append or read your list. This is especially effective when accompanied by a stack of awesome playlist. Celebrate who you are and what you’ve accomplished. Don’t expect the outside world to be the arbiter of your achievements. Stay within your circle of control and build your stack of awesome, a little each day.
Present Yourself Well
Your first impression can make all the difference when it comes to building confidence. Some people will decide to listen to you, ignore you, or treat you with respect or contempt based on their first impression. How you present yourself goes a long way in boosting confidence. Poorly fitting clothes, unkempt hair, and a hopeless expression can make you appear less confident in front of others. Take time to examine your appearance before you step out of your house. Learn ways to improve your appearance and practice them whenever you feel less confident.
Breathe and Visualize Your Future Success
Feelings like anxiety and fear not only make you feel less confident, but they can also cause shallow breathing. They are also often accompanied by thoughts of failure or a disastrous future. To address such feelings, take a few minutes to breathe deeply and visualize a successful future. Studies have shown that athletes who visualize a successful outcome more often achieve it. Breathe deeply and visualize your desired goal. This will enable you to feel calmer and more confident.
Confidence is a learnable skill that requires daily practice. Take time in the day to visualize success, celebrate your stack of awesome, polish your appearance, and do what makes you feel good about yourself. Though you don’t have to be a superhero to be confident, confidence can bring out the unstoppable superhero in you.
Originally published on Medium
Davide Di Giorgio is the number one international best-selling author of Being UNapologetic, a keynote and TEDx speaker, youth advocate, Comparanoia™ expert, and a speaking and confidence consultant for students, teachers, parents, influencers and celebrities. His philanthropic endeavor, Project Being UNapologetic dares to tackle bullying and build confidence and self-esteem while funding dream projects for high school performing arts students.
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