How to be More Confident
How to be More Confident
Confidence is important because how you feel in any situation will affect how you act.
- If you are feeling confident, then you are more likely to take effective action.
- If you are lacking confidence, then you are much less likely to take effective action.
Confident people tend to perform better than those who lack confidence.
The question we need to answer is: How can you develop more confidence?
Here is a list of things you can do:
- Monitor your self-talk.
- Learn more and become an expert relative to the other people around you.
- Be prepared to act, even in the face of uncertain or incomplete knowledge.
- Don't be afraid of criticism.
Let us say a few words on each.
1. Monitor your self-talk
Self-talk is what you say to yourself in the privacy of your own mind. Self-talk also includes what you tell others about yourself.
If you say things about yourself that are derogatory then your brain will accept that as true and act accordingly.
For example, if you say: "I can never remember people's names". Then that statement is accepted by the subconscious portion of the mind and is acted upon, as a command.
If you say, "I'd like to do that, but I don't have the courage", then that statement too, will be accepted as true by the subconscious portion of your mind and will be acted upon accordingly.
On the other hand, if you get into the habit of giving yourself positive commands, (even if you don't really feel right saying it) then the subconscious portion of the mind will pick up on the positive command and will act accordingly.
You can see this in a gym. If the lifter says, "I can't lift it" then he won't lift it.
If he says, "I can lift it" then he raises his chances of doing it.
If you want to be confident, then practice giving only positive commands to your subconscious.
2. Learn more and become an expert, relative to the people around you
Confidence comes from competence. If you lack confidence, it may be caused by a realisation that your current knowledge is insufficient.
You are aware that you don't know what you are doing. There is only one cure for not knowing.
Find out.
The people who are confident, believe in themselves. They believe in themselves because they talk to themselves in positive ways, and because the know what they are doing.
They have become experts, relative to other people.
Confidence can be gained by competence.
Learn, study, practice then preach!
3. Be prepared to act, even in the face of uncertain and incomplete knowledge
Confident people are confident because they are willing to take action before the perfect moment presents itself.
People who lack confidence keep waiting for the so called, "Right moment". So, they wait and wait and wait.
They say, "I will, but not yet. I want to wait until the situation is just right, before I risk making my move". If you come back in a year, you will still see them waiting for the timing to be just right.
Confidence comes to those people who will act to create circumstances.
4. Don't be afraid of criticism
Confident people are NOT overly concerned when they incur criticism from others.
Timid people are overly concerned whenever they incur criticism.
People who lack confidence withdraw their ideas, or amend their position the moment they meet with any criticism or rejection. If you lack confidence, try sticking to your guns with more tenacity.
Remember that your view may be the correct view, even if it draws criticism, derision and rejection from the rest of the gang.
Develop the courage of your own conviction.
If your ideas seem to you to be reasonable, coherent and based on a logical interpretation of the facts, then you should hold fast to your beliefs; unless and until someone can prove to you, that you have made a logical error, or your logic is based on a faulty fact.
But you should never take an idea off the table simply because others disagree with it.
I call this idea: "Running on reason" and "Relying on logic".
This above all else, is what will give you more confidence. Don't be so easily swayed off track by signs of criticism or rejection from the other members of the gang.
Have courage in the power of your own mind, to discern Truth from Falsehood.
The ability to discern truth from falsehood, by learning to use logic to evaluate facts, will give you all the confidence you'll ever need.
Summary: How to be more confident
1. Have courage in the power of your own mind to discern truth from falsehood.
2. Be prepared to act, even in the face of uncertain and incomplete knowledge.
3. Become an expert in your field.
4. Monitor your self-talk. Keep it positive. Tell yourself that you CAN!
Quiz: How Confident Are You?
Some people tend to ooze confidence, whilst others tend to lose confidence. Discover which type you are with our quick quiz.
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Definition: Confidence
In personal development training, confidence is the mental state that fuses learned ability with readiness to act. It holds four key traits: belief in your skills, an expectation of success, the courage to move before all facts are clear, and resilience when others criticise. Remove any trait and true confidence is lost.
Show CG4D Definition
- Self-belief grounded in acquired skills and knowledge
- Positive expectation of success in intended actions
- Willingness to act despite uncertainty or imperfect conditions
- Resilience to criticism or external doubt
Article Summary
Confidence builds when you talk to yourself with respect, learn enough to feel skilled, act before the moment is perfect, and treat criticism as useful feedback. Live these four habits daily and you will develop steady self-belief that powers bold, effective action.
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some questions that frequently get asked about this topic during our training sessions.
What is self-talk and how does it affect confidence?
How can I use positive self talk to increase confidence?
Why does gaining new skills boost self confidence?
Should I wait for the perfect moment before acting?
How do confident people handle criticism?
Can acting with incomplete knowledge still build confidence?
What daily habit builds confidence quickest?
Thought of something that's not been answered? Ask Us Today!
Did You Know: Key Statistics
LinkedIn Learning’s 2024 Workplace Learning Report shows that 83% of global employees say gaining new skills directly increases their confidence at work. A 2023 University of Manchester trial found that participants who practised structured positive self-talk for four weeks reported a 30% rise in task confidence compared with a control group.About the Author: Chris Farmer
Chris Farmer is the founder of the Corporate Coach Group and has many years' experience in training leaders and managers, in both the public and private sectors, to achieve their organisational goals, especially during tough economic times. He is also well aware of the disciplines and problems associated with running a business.
Over the years, Chris has designed and delivered thousands of training programmes and has coached and motivated many management teams, groups and individuals. His training programmes are both structured and clear, designed to help delegates organise their thinking and, wherever necessary, to improve their techniques and skills.
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