Specific steps to be more confident
March 28, 2018
By Brian Maynor
Confidence is powerful.
It’s a powerful word; a powerful feeling and most of us could use more of it.
While we know all of the amazing benefits of confidence, most of us don’t know how to systematically build it. We buy into the theory that it’s just something we acquire over time as part of living, but that isn’t entirely true.
There are specific steps we can all take to be more confident any time and anywhere, and here they are:
1. Be specific. When we have confidence it permeates every aspect of our life, but when we’re building it we need to be a lot more specific. Where exactly do we want to be more confident? The answer to this question gives us something to focus on and tangible to work towards.
2. Pay attention when we’re feeling confident. We’ve all felt confident at some point but there was also a reason behind it. That could have been the environment, what we were doing, or how we were feeling at the time. If we can discover what helped us feel that confidence, then we can recreate when we need to feel that way again.
3. Stay authentic. Since trying to be someone else is the fastest and most effective way to lose our confidence, the fastest most effective way to build our confidence is to be ourselves. Trying to be someone else creates resistance on all levels, so to avoid it we need to be our authentic selves. This means finding not only what makes us unique, but also what is important to us.
4. Realize we’re 100% smart. Instead of focusing on how we need to improve, change or be more or less of something, put that energy and time into acknowledging everything we’re good at and have achieved. We all need to be reminded that we’re smart, and one way to do that is to write down 3 things we did well, felt good about or are proud of accomplishing every day.
5. Comparisons crush confidence. Social media has not only connected us to the world, it has also opened the door to compare our lives to people we would never have had access to before. The only person we should ever compare ourselves to is ourselves.
6. Act. Action builds confidence from the first step to the last. So whether it’s learning a new skill or just putting a plan into motion, taking action puts doubt, fear, worry and wonder to bed once and for all. Even if it’s a leap of faith that doesn’t land exactly where we want to, acting immediately boosts our confidence so that we can keep going until we reach our ultimate goal.
These steps are helpful, but ultimately confidence comes from within because no one else can take action for us, make decisions for us or think for us. Instead of giving in to self-doubt and thoughts of inferiority, we can choose to believe in ourselves, take action and be confident.
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I am always curious to hear from you and what you see in the workplace. Send your questions, comments and pet peeves to [email protected]. Also find each of these storyboards at http://brianmaynor.polyvore.com with links to purchase each item.
About Brian Maynor
Brian Maynor has built a reputation as one of the leading style coaches in the Southeast and is quickly expanding his eponymous company, BRIAN MAYNOR and his FIND, FLATTER & FLAUNT line of image consulting services. A professional with a fresh, upbeat and down-to-earth personality and boundless creative energy, he works frequently with with local celebrities; Fortune 500 companies and nonprofit organizations; modeling agencies; fashion designers; production companies; record labels; media and individuals. A regular contributor to various fashion blogs and online communities, Brian Maynor is one of the most trusted and recognized style experts in the region, utilizing his education and training as a broadcast journalist to serve as a style lecturer, emcee, and commentator for over a decade. He has appeared at fashion shows, expos, and charity fundraisers, as well as events with big brands like Banana Republic, Ann Taylor, Chico’s and Macy’s. His approach is innovative, creative and fashion-forward, balancing fresh, modern styles with classic pieces to keep one’s look grounded. To learn more, visit http://www.brianmaynor.com.
