What do you think of when you hear “self confident”? Do you think of someone who seems to have it together. She walks into any room and feels right at home no matter the occasion. That’s kind of what I think of. You have to wonder what it is about these people that makes them who they are. Why do they stand tall in situations where others might shrink or play small?
I sometimes go back and forth between being totally self confident and shrinking myself. My goal is to shrink myself less and less. To do that, I pay attention to what I do and how I feel when I’m most confident and pull from that when I feel myself starting to shrink a bit. What does that look like? Well, I’m glad you asked.
8 Habits
Habit #1 – Don’t go with the flow all the time. Be OK with asking questions. Stepping away from the pack and expressing yourself are keys to being and feeling more confident.
Habit #2 – Only say yes if you mean it. Be in control of the one things you don’t get more of – time. If you’re saying yes to something be sure of what you’re saying yes to. Know that “yes” means you’re saying no to something else.
Habit #3 – Stay on the optimistic side. Always look for the silver lining. The people with the brightest outlook can usually stay calm and confident in shaky situations. That positivity is a thread you want to keep going in your life, conversations, and relationships. It’s a great thing to model for our kids too. They learn that everything doesn’t mean the end of the world and they don’t need to crumble. (I’ve had to teach this lesson more than once to my kiddos)
Habit #4 – Be clear about your goals. Also get clear on your plans to make those goals real. That is a confidence booster in itself. There’s nothing like knowing where you’re going and how you’re going to get there.
Habit #5 – Know your strengths and weaknesses. Be willing to acknowledge them. Knowing exactly what you’re capable of builds confidence. It’s like people that can sing. They sing all the time not matter who is listening. They’re confident that they sound good, so they keep going. Now if that same person can’t dance, you won’t get more than a two step out of them. lol They stick to the area where they are confident and that’s where they shine.
Habit #6 – Create the life you love without being concerned with what someone else has going on. Remember you have your own visions and goals that probably look very different from theirs.
Habit #7 – Know that self care isn’t reserved for the few. It’s a necessary thing for everyone – especially moms. Before we became moms, self care was something we didn’t think about – we just did it. Now that our plates are fuller we have to etch out time for it. You need it. Make it happen.
Habit #8 – Even though you know what you’re good at, don’t be afraid to step outside of your comfort zone. That’s how you’ll learn what else you’re good at. Psst, stepping outside if your comfort zone eventually creates a new, larger comfort zone. Growth.
I’d like to know, what keeps you self confident? How do you build confidence?
