Confidence is something that can always be beneficial to learn: when looking to get a new job, find more friends, or just make yourself feel better, confidence is always something that you should strive to learn about. While it seems easy to say , it is easy in practice as well; here are some simple tips to be more confident on a daily basis.
One of the first things that you should do in an effort to boost your confidence is to groom correctly. While this might sound vain, think of the last time you hit the gym to stay in shape, or bought a jacket that looked great on you: you more than likely walked with more confidence, and seemed happier that day. Small steps are the first thing that you should try when looking to be more confident: simply getting out of bed, taking a shower, and brushing your hair will often go a long way. When you take the extra time to put some thought into your appearance, as well, you will come across as more confident to other people- the classic case of ‘fake it til you make it’ in action. Keep in mind, as well, that the color of clothes that you wear can influence your confidence as well; studies have shown multiple times that brighter colors, such as yellow, will brighten the mood of the people surrounding you, therefore brightening your own mood as well.
Exercise is a natural way to boost your confidence, as well. Getting up and out of the house can do wonders for your attitude, as well as for how confident you are perceived by other people. Small amounts of exercise have been shown to promote an increase in the body’s production of serotonin, the happiness hormone- people that are seen as happier, as well, are often those that are also perceived as confident. Vitamin D, as well which comes from both a healthy diet, as well as the sun when exercising, can bring a healthy glow to the skin, which can also make you more confident, as well.
Another way where you can ‘fake it til you make it’ is by getting into a ‘power pose’. This does not have to be a particularly daunting task, and can be summed up into a few small things that will exude confidence to the people around you. Stand straight, with your shoulders back and chest out, a pose that is referred to as a ‘power pose’ and will help you seem taller, thinner, and more in control of the situation- thereby exuding the confidence that you need. In addition to that, eye contact is often key when looking to fake confidence: studies show that people who avoid eye contact are seen to have a lack of confidence. A good way to fake more eye contact, without coming across as potentially aggressive, is to use the sixty percent rule: make eye contact only sixty percent of the time when talking with someone, long enough to notice their eye color and seem confident, without seeming as if they were overly aggressive.
Oftentimes, charisma and confidence go hand in hand; confidence usually focuses more on habits and behaviors, while charisma is affected by how you treat others. These flip sides of the same coin are needed to master the art of confidence, as well. In the book The Charisma List, the author breaks down the three ways to break down how to tackle faking charisma: be present around others; show warmth and caring; and appear as if you can impact someone’s view. This all boils down to standing tall, caring about other people, and seeming in control of the situation, no matter what comes up.
