Look well into thyself; there is a source of strength which will always spring up if thou wilt always look. ― Marcus Aurelius
That’s why many of us have little self-confidence. And therefore, feel we have nothing to be confident about.
When I was a teenager I also believed I had nothing to be confident about. After all, I had as much confidence as the public has in a bullshit politician. Or the government.
So what do you do to build self-confidence when you have nothing to be confident about? Let’s answer that question, shall we?
How To Develop Your Self Confidence.
1. Write down a list of your achievements
If you’re a human being and you’re on planet earth, you’ve achieved something. No matter how big or small the achievement was. And no matter how old or young you are.It doesn’t matter if few people have acknowledged it publicly. It only matters that you’ve achieved it and nothing more. Acknowledgement makes a difference.
Write down a list of the things you’ve achieved on paper or in a notepad app like Evernote. Here’s some examples.
- Getting decent or above average grades in your class.
- Writing a great blog post that solves a problem.
- Publishing your first book or novel.
- Drawing a good picture.
- Cutting down on your sugar intake.
- Eating less junk food.
- Exercising.
- Completing a task.
- Making some laugh.
- Being praised for your work.
- Raising money for a charity.
- Sticking to your schedule.
Appreciate and acknowledge ALL of your achievements. Size doesn’t matter, it’s the attitude and acknowledgement that matters most.
2. Do something you’re good at
Everybody’s good at something. Some are good at- Boxing.
- Singing.
- Beat-boxing.
- Writing.
- Drawing.
- Empathizing.
- Bring people together.
- Communication.
- Making people laugh.
- Excelling at certain types of video games.
- Marketing themselves.
- Is it beating the competition in a game of monopoly?
- Is it cooking tasty Chinese dishes?
- Is it networking with people you’ve never met?
- Is it speaking in front of a camera?
3. Stop focusing on your weaknesses
Your weaknesses are things you’re NOT naturally good at. Things that have NO potential for growth. And things that will never develop into anything great.Think of someone like Tiger Woods. Can you imagine him being as great of a singer as Beyonce? Not everybody’s cut out to do certain things.
So take all your focus away from the areas you’re weak in, and shift that focus onto your strengths. Strengths build self-confidence, not the other way around.
4. Stop focusing on your flaws
Nobody’s perfect. But everybody’s imperfect. And that’s OK. That’s cool.I’m flawed in the sense that I’m no good at being ordered around and being told what to do.
I’m independent and have no problem acting on my own initiative. As well as getting shit done without any need to be motivated by others beforehand.
I’m also no good at keeping my opinions to myself. Meaning I’m expressive, love to share my opinions and speak my mind.
That’s a flaw for me but also a strength depending on the context of the situation.
Focus on your strengths, your flaws have no room for improvement.
5. Try new things
Treat life like a scientist or a child. Experiment with everything.- Try new things out.
- Try new ideas you’ve come up with.
- Try learning something new.
- Try writing a different topic.
- Try a new career.
- Try a new hobby.
- Try building new habits.
And more importantly, the faster you’ll come across the things you’re great at doing. And find extremely fulfilling.
So be that 10 year old child and experiment in different areas of your life. It’ll make you realize what it is you’re capable of doing. And you’ll start to acknowledge and learn more about yourself.
This builds up your self-confidence overtime.
To summarize this post:
- Write down a list of achievements.
- Do something you’re good at.
- Stop focusing on your weaknesses.
- Stop focusing on your flaws.
- Try new things.
