The Keys To Confidence

If you're one to feel jittery and nervous about upcoming events, presentations, or meetings, you're probably in good company. Most of us feel less than confident at least once in a while. 

Nerves can get the best of us, so it is crucial to find ways to cope with them, banish them altogether, or even put them to your advantage. 

When you can gather up all the confidence you can muster before you head into a high-pressure situation, you're bound to come out of it feeling better about yourself, stronger, and more confident in every area of your life. 

Whether you're going on a date, meeting new people, throwing a soiree, or about to tackle that big project at work, these simple but effective tips will help you become more confident and handle the situation with aplomb. 

Let's dive in!

Style Boosts Self Confidence

No matter what the situation, feeling self-assured starts with style. 

Your appearance is undoubtedly one of the essential parts of your glow; it speaks volumes about how confident you feel. 

When you get ready for anything, check-in with your style and make sure:

• You've dressed appropriately for the occasion
• Your clothes are clean and in good condition
• Your outfit speaks volumes about how you wish to show up for a situation
• You've dressed with "body love" – not too baggy, not too tight, your clothing fits and flatters you just right 
• You feel good in it, and it makes you happy. 

Can't reasonably budget a closet full of the latest haute couture? No one says you need to. However, a few good pieces with the right accessories will take your wardrobe to the next level without breaking the bank. 

Finally, remember that style isn't just about clothes, hair, jewelry, and makeup. It's about your tone of voice, how you walk into a room, your attitude, and your interactions with others. 

Style is all about how you show up in the world. 

Check-in With Your Mindset

Confidence is a mindset skill—one that you can develop and strengthen just like you would any muscle. 

A confidence mindset is your willingness to try, in conjunction with your trust that you can (and will) figure it all out. Equanimity allows you to  get through life’s situations with grace, and come out on top at the end of the day.

A willingness to try means a willingness to act, even if you're facing fear or uncertainty.

Before going into any situation that’s giving anxiety, breath deeply and meditate on calm self-assurance. Imagine yourself handling every moment of the encounter with composure and self- possession. 

Stand Up Straight

Wait. Who invited mom to this discussion? 

All kidding aside, your posture is incredibly easy to overlook and something that can have a tremendous effect on how you feel. 

It may not seem obvious, but you will feel much better about yourself and more vital in any situation when hold your head up high and your back straight.

Standing tall and having good posture lets the world know that you mean business. 

It may take a while before this becomes second nature but over time, you will notice that sitting or standing up tall makes putting on a confident air much more effortless. 

Your body language is one element that you can't afford to overlook, but that is also largely within your control, so take charge and own your posture.

Establish Eye Contact

Body language can be quite telling. For example, one of the most crucial body language cues you can use to be more confident is eye contact. 

If you consciously look at someone in the eye when you speak with them, it can be incredibly impactful to your overall confidence level. You will feel more sure, connected, and natural, and you will invite the person you are talking to feel the same. 

Breathe Deeply and Slowly

Focusing on your breathing is one of the most effective ways to center yourself and let go of anxious feelings.

When we are nervous, we tend to take shallow breaths that only inflate the upper part of our lungs. This type of breathing can cause feelings of nausea, dizziness, and fatigue- physical distractions that can only add to your unease. 

By slowing down your breathing, you will quiet your mind and allow yourself to focus more on the situation at hand.

With each breath, fill your lungs by taking air into your lower abdomen and your chest. Then, inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth as slowly as possible.

If you're feeling especially anxious about something and need to calm yourself on the spot, you can try the 4-7-8 breathing technique. 

The 4-7-8 breathing technique, also known as "relaxing breath," involves breathing in for four seconds, holding the breath for seven seconds, and exhaling for eight seconds. This breathing pattern aims to reduce anxiety. 

Breathing deeply can do wonders for your body and mind when you need to calm nerves or build confidence before an important event or meeting. You may even find yourself less nervous once you get into the habit of doing it.

Smile

The simple act of smiling can go a long way in creating a feeling of confidence and contentment within yourself and for others. 

A self-assured smile will tell the world – and your brain – that you are secure in who you are, that you have no doubts in your abilities, and that you are ready to take on whatever comes your way. 

The more time and effort that goes into practicing smiling, the more natural it will become. After a while, this simple task will be second nature to you, and it will make your feelings of anxiety melt away like ice on a hot day. You will develop a smile habit that is purely beneficial to your confidence levels.

Confidence is Easy When … 

No matter what is going on or what kind of event you are about to attend, you can control how unruffled and prepared you feel about yourself and the situation. If you start with these suggestions, you will find it easier to build and maintain your confidence throughout the day – and in life.

Start making a difference in your life and your relationships now by doing the little things you can do to gather up your cool – you’ll be surprised at how much better you feel and how much better all of your interactions become.