Five ways that boost your self'confidence

1. Stay away from negativity and bring on the
positivity
This is the time to really evaluate your inner
circle, including friends and family. This is a
tough one, but it's time to seriously consider
getting away from those individuals who put you
down and shred your confidence. Even a
temporary break from Debbie Downer can make a
huge difference and help you make strides toward
more self-confidence.
Be positive, even if you're not feeling it quite yet.
Put some positive enthusiasm into your
interactions with others and hit the ground
running, excited to begin your next project. Stop
focusing on the problems in your life and instead
begin to focus on solutions and making positive
changes.
2. Change your body language and image
This is where posture, smiling, eye contact , and
speech slowly come into play. Just the simple act
of pulling your shoulders back gives others the
impression that you are a confident person.
Smiling will not only make you feel better, but will
make others feel more comfortable around you.
Imagine a person with good posture and a smile
and you'll be envisioning someone who is self-
confident.
Look at the person you are speaking to, not at
your shoes--keeping eye contact shows
confidence. Last, speak slowly. Research has
proved that those who take the time to speak
slowly and clearly feel more self-confidence and
appear more self-confident to others. The added
bonus is they will actually be able to understand
what you are saying.
Go the extra mile and style your hair, give
yourself a clean shave, and dress nicely. Not only
will this make you feel better about yourself, but
others are more likely to perceive you as
successful and self-confident as well. A great tip:
When you purchase a new outfit, practice wearing
it at home first to get past any wardrobe
malfunctions before heading out.
3. Don't accept failure and get rid of the negative
voices in your head
Never give up. Never accept failure. There is a
solution to everything, so why would you want to
throw in the towel? Make this your new mantra.
Succeeding through great adversity is a huge
confidence booster.
Low self-confidence is often caused by the
negative thoughts running through our minds on
an endless track. If you are constantly bashing
yourself and saying you're not good enough,
aren't attractive enough, aren't smart enough or
athletic enough, and on and on, you are creating a
self-fulfilling prophecy. You are becoming what
you are preaching inside your head, and that's not
good. The next time you hear that negativity in
your head, switch it immediately to a positive
affirmation and keep it up until it hits the caliber
of a self-confidence boost.
4. Be prepared
Learn everything there is to know about your field,
job, presentation--whatever is next on your "to
conquer" list. If you are prepared, and have the
knowledge to back it up, your self-confidence will
soar.
5. For tough times, when all else fails: Create a
great list
Life is full of challenges and there are times when
it's difficult to keep our self-confidence up. Sit
down right now and make a list of all the things in
your life that you are thankful for, and another list
of all the things you are proud of accomplishing .
Once your lists are complete, post them on your
refrigerator door, on the wall by your desk, on
your bathroom mirror--somewhere where you can
easily be reminded of what an amazing life you
have and what an amazing person you really are.
If you feel your self-confidence dwindling, take a
look at those lists and let yourself feel and be
inspired all over again by you.