SAN FRANCISCO (Realist English). Confidence is not a trait that a person is born with. Just like muscles, confidence is something that a person builds and improves every day thanks to constant practice, according to American psychotherapist Tess Brigham.
The expert offers the following ways that allow to strengthen confidence in the long term:
- Discard negative prejudices: “Let’s say that as a child you were always embarrassed to perform in public. Therefore, speaking in front of others now, as an adult, seems to you something terrible. Unfortunately, your boss asked you to give a presentation. Challenge the negative beliefs you have about yourself by changing them. It can be as simple as telling yourself every day: “I’m a great speaker, and people want to hear my ideas.” Keep repeating it to yourself or say it out loud. You will find that you feel less anxious and more prepared.”
- Never say “I think” or “I’m not sure”: “Instead, use “I believe”, which puts you at the head of the thought and conveys calm confidence. Other phrases like “in my opinion” also make you sound less confident. Just get down to business and remove unnecessary introductions.”
- Remember a time when you felt confident: “Right before you do something that makes you nervous, try a visualization exercise in which you reproduce previous experiences when you had an optimal level of energy, focus and achievement.”
- Leave social media: “It’s so easy to spend time on social media and compare yourself with others. But remember that the posts or videos you see don’t always reflect reality. No one has a perfect life. Confidence comes from believing in yourself, in your own abilities.”
- Wear something that makes you feel strong: “Wear those things in which you feel powerful. The clothes we wear can affect our cognitive processes. It can increase your productivity and improve the impression of yourself.”
