Why confidence is a key component to all aspects of your life đđ
Self confidence is linked to almost every element involved in a happy and fulfilling life. I highlight five key rewards of self-confidence below. Understanding these benefits is an important first step toward living your best life with confidenceđđ»đ
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Less Fear and AnxietyÂ
The more confident you become, the more youâll be able to calm the voice inside you that says, âI canât do it.â Youâll be able to unhook from your thoughts and take action in line with your valuesđđŒââïž
If youâve suffered from low self-confidence, youâre probably familiar with rumination, or the tendency to mull over worries and perceived mistakes, replaying them ad nauseam. Excessive rumination is linked to both anxiety and depression and it can make us withdraw from the world. But by filling up your tank with confidence,  youâll be able to break the cycle of over-thinking and quiet your inner criticÂ
Greater Motivationđ
Building confidence means taking small steps that leave a lasting sense of accomplishment. If youâve ever learned a language, mastered a skill, reached a fitness goal, or otherwise overcome setbacks to get to where you wanted to be, youâre well on your way.
You might be thinking, âWell, sure, I was proud of my âAâ in Calculus back in high school, but what does that have to do with anything now?â If you think back to a key accomplishment in your life, youâll likely find that it took a lot of perseverance. If you could triumph through adversity then, you can do it in other areas of your life where you feel self-doubtâïž
As your confidence grows, youâll find yourself more driven to stretch your abilities. âWhat-ifâ thoughts will still arise: âWhat if I fail?â âWhat if I embarrass myself?â But with self-assurance, those thoughts will no longer be paralyzing. Instead, youâll be able to grin and act anyway, feeling energized by your progress in pursuing goals that mean something to youđȘđ»
More Resilience đ€©
Confidence gives you the skills and coping methods to handle setbacks and failure. Self-confidence doesnât mean you wonât sometimes fail. But youâll know you can handle challenges and not be crippled by them. Even when things donât turn out anywhere close to what you planned, youâll be able to avoid beating yourself upâ
As you keep pushing yourself to try new things, youâll start to truly understand how failure and mistakes lead to growth. An acceptance that failure is part of life will start to take root. Paradoxically, by being more willing to fail, you'll actually succeed more â because you're not waiting for everything to be 100 percent perfect before you act. Taking more shots will mean making more of themâđ»
Improved Relationshipsâ€ïž
It might seem counterintuitive, but when you have more self-confidence, youâre less focused on yourself. Weâve all been guilty of walking into a room and thinking, âTheyâre all looking at me. They all think I look dumpy and that every word I say is stupid.â The truth is, people are wrapped up in their own thoughts and worries. When you get out of your own head, youâll be able to genuinely engage with others.
You'll enjoy your interactions more because you won't be so worried about the kind of impression you're making, and you wonât be comparing yourself to others. Your relaxed state will put others at ease as well, helping you forge deeper connections.
Self-confidence can also breed deeper empathy. When youâre fully present, youâre more likely to notice that your date seems to be a little down, or that a friend in the corner looks like she needs a shoulder to cry on. When youâre not preoccupied with your own self-doubt, you can be the person who reaches out to help othersđđ«Â
Stronger Sense of Your Authentic Self
Finally, confidence roots you in who you really are. Youâll be able to accept your weaknesses, knowing they donât change your self-worth. You'll also be able to celebrate your strengths and use them more fully.Â
Your actions will be in line with your principles, giving you a greater sense of purpose. You'll know who you are and what you stand for. Youâll have the skills to show up, stand up, and speak up. In other words, you'll be able to let your best self shine throughđșđ»đđŒ
A Few Action Steps
- Write down a favorite confidence quote and put it somewhere you'll see it often. Nightstand or in your wallet.Â
- Do you have a photograph of a time you felt confident and successful? It could be a graduation photo, a picture of you as a kid after you learned to ride a bike or anything else that resonates with you. Hang it on your fridge or bathroom mirror, and reflect on all the steps it took to get to that point.
- Try writing or verbalizing powerful affirmations that make you feel good. You tube is a great source of 5-20 min affirmations. Listen on the way to work or while getting ready in the morning. 30 days on repeat and youâll start to see the changes you attract and emulate đđ»
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