I am always looking for good advice…..and I ran across an article on line about building self-confidence.  It boiled it down to 10 ways to instantly build self-confidence. It’s a good read. I won’t go too deeply into each one, (the link to the full article is at the bottom of this post), but I really to point out the four that stood out to me (highlighted in pink). I have personally made a conscious effort to do these things DAILY…..they Really, REALLY WORK. It’s nice to see them pointed out in this article.

Here they are from the top….

1. Dress Sharp – I have heard this many times. Sometimes I do, sometimes I dont. Are flip flops considered “sharp”? 😉
2. Walk Faster – Never heard this one before. If this is true, my mom should be the most self-confident person on the PLANET. She is a FAST walker. Whether in the grocery store, mall, parking lot…..wherever. If you are going shopping with her, wear your “fast” shoes, and don’t feel bad when she eventually leaves you behind and doesn’t even know she’s done it. It’s normal.
3. Good Posture – Never heard this one either, although I know it’s good for your “core” muscles.  I need to pay more attention to this one.
4. Personal Commercial – This sounds a little crazy to me.  
5. Gratitude – DING DING DING DING!!!! WINNER WINNER WINNER! 
6. Compliment other people – DING DING DING DING!! Another WINNER WINNER WINNER!
7. Sit in the front row – I guess this makes sense…..but I have always been a back of the room kinda gal. I feel too awkward with everyone’s beady eyes staring at me from behind. And yeah, I am pretty positive that EVERYONE is there SOLELY to look at MY BACK, never mind the important speaker or event happening at the front of the room. 
8. Speak up – I agree with this one. Over the past 10 years or so, I have learned to do this out of necessity. But I have to disagree with the statement that most people are dealing with this same fear. Not the people I encounter in meetings at work. I am lucky to get a word in edgewise most of the time. I suppose it could be being in a room full of extroverts….with ONE introvert (me) who does the best she can to pretend to be an extrovert.  😉
9. Work out – YES YES YES! There is nothing more empowering than being in control of your health, and watching your body transform itself from working out on a regular basis.  YOU are making that change and it’s pretty amazing!  We all know that exercise releases endorphins, but it’s also been known to do many other things from treating depression to increasing your memory!
10. Focus on contribution – YES! I have learned this through personal experience (long before stumbling across this article). It’s SO TRUE. If you don’t want to click the link below to read it yourself, I at least want you to hear all of this one.  So here it is…..

“Too often we get caught up in our own desires. We focus too much on ourselves and not enough on the needs of others.” (Remember my post about stepping out of the mirror room?  This is pretty much it). “If you stop thinking about yourself, and concentrate on the contribution you’re making to the rest of the world, you won’t worry as much about your own flaws. This will increase self confidence, and allow you to contribute with maximum efficiency. The more you contribute to the world, the more you’ll be rewarded with personal success and recognition.”

Click here to see the full article.