6 Simple Exercises to Increase Confidence

Confidence is one of the most powerful and attractive traits you can possess. In fact, it is essential for an overall happier, successful, and fulfilling life because it helps you take risks, face challenges, and overcome obstacles.

Let’s debunk the biggest confidence myth: “Confidence is something you are born with.” Believing this myth gives rise to self-doubt and negative self-talk which can hold you back from building confidence.

Thankfully, this is simply not true. Just like you can pick up a cooking skill, you can build your confidence with consistent practice. Let’s explore six simple exercises to help you get started.

1. Spend Time with Yourself

This may seem counterintuitive, especially if you’re someone who doesn’t enjoy being alone. However, having a “me” time can be very helpful for your mental health and self-esteem. Use it to reflect and write down your thoughts and feelings. Ask yourself some reflective questions such as:

- How have I grown over the last year?

- What are my goals for the next year, 5 years, 10 years?

- What do I need to do to move forward on my goals?

- What personal strengths will help me achieve my goals?

- What weaknesses are holding me back from making my goals a reality?

Spend as much time as you need to journal your answers. Your answers don’t need to be perfect, the goal is to get to know yourself better.

2. Cut Out Toxic People

Toxic people can be dangerous to your mental health and progress because they make you feel insecure, inadequate, anxious, or depressed. They can also manipulate and cause you to doubt yourself and your abilities, making it very difficult to make decisions or take action on your own.

When you hang out with friends, family, or co-workers, pay attention to how they make you feel. If they make you feel unsettled, stressed, or unhappy, take steps to remove them from your life. This can be difficult, but it’s important for freeing up the mental and emotional space to focus on yourself and building a more positive environment.

So, surround yourself with supportive people who genuinely appreciate your presence, support, and encourage you in your personal and professional life. This could be joining a club or group that aligns with your interests, or reaching out to friends and family who make you feel good about yourself.

3. Set Goals and Achieve Them

There are many areas of your life where you can set goals for yourself: Personal, Spiritual, Mental, Relational, Professional, and Financial. Your goals don’t have to be big or very difficult. You can and should start small (eg. Mental goal: Read for 5 minutes a day) to start building your confidence.

When you set a goal for yourself and work hard to achieve it, you’re sending a message to your brain that you’re capable and competent. And when you achieve your goals and celebrate your successes, you feel a greater sense of accomplishment and become more confident in your ability to reach bigger goals in the future.

4. Practice Self-Care

This means taking deliberate actions to care for yourself physically, mentally, and emotionally. Prioritize the activities that bring you joy such as exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, listening to your favorite music, or doing something creative and artistic.

When you take care of yourself, you reinforce the belief that you’re valuable and worth investing in. So, make time for it even when your schedule feels jam-packed - you’ll return feeling more energized and productive. And in the long run, you’ll feel much better about yourself, and in turn, improve your confidence.

5. Look Good

Have you ever heard the saying: “when you look good, you feel good”? Well, this doesn’t mean you have to be a supermodel or spend a fortune on designer clothes. It simply means taking care of your appearance and presenting yourself in a way that makes you feel confident and attractive.

For starters, take care of your grooming. This includes keeping your hair clean and styled, taking care of your skin, keeping your nails trimmed and clean, and using your favorite body splash and perfume. When it comes to your looks, wear clothes that fit well, flatter your body type, and make you feel good.

Remember that looking good isn't just about your physical appearance. It's also about your attitude and how you carry yourself. Stand up straight, make eye contact, and project a positive attitude, and you'll feel more confident in any situation.

6. Smile

You are never fully dressed without a smile! Smiling is an often overlooked yet powerful way to boost your confidence.

Not only does smiling make you feel happier and more positive, but it can also make you appear more approachable and friendly to others. In fact, studies have shown that people who smile more are perceived as more confident and successful than those who do not.

Whether you're starting your day with a smile in the mirror, smiling at your co-workers or neighbors, or practicing smiling under stressful situations, it goes a long way to help you feel more positive, approachable, and confident.

Conclusion

By practicing these six simple exercises, you’ll slowly start to build your confidence. Building confidence is a journey, so don’t be too hard on yourself, and don’t forget to recognize and celebrate your progress along the way.

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