5 Tips to Improve Confidence Immediately

When you feel your confidence about to take a nose dive or are anticipating a situation that may cause you to doubt yourself, be prepared. Try a tip that may keep you from heading down the path of least effectiveness; leading to feeling insecure and lowering your overall self-esteem. Although many suggestions to increase confidence are in the moment, that’s the point. When you take control, instead of going into a spiral of negative thinking, and lift or maintain your mood to get you through this experience, overall your self-esteem remains intact or increases. Find which quick tips to improve confidence work for you and add them to your daily routine.

Quick Confidence Building Tips

1. Dress to Impress. I recently read an article by a woman who suffered from severe depression. She mentioned one way that she got out of bed was to take pride in her appearance. Grooming, picking out a nice outfit (we are not talking about a ball gown or tux) rather a pressed shirt and slacks, and putting effort into her appearance, helped her perk up. Did this “fix” her depression or make her self-confidence sore, no, but it did help her feel more confident for the day. Knowing she took care of herself on the outside reflected inward.

2. Validate Yourself. In a room full of medical doctors, Ph.D’s and others who held degrees higher than my own, I felt a ping of insecurity. Rather than harping on the negative, I chose to be real. I was in that room, at that conference for the same reason as them, to learn. I was also there because I, too, earned it and others believed in me (to send me there). I also reminded myself what unique gifts I brought to the room and how each of us brought something different from our individual and professional backgrounds. Choosing to turn my mind towards the truth, the positive reality, was a healthy choice. It also allowed me to access my confident self in order to make a good impression.

3. Tackle the Lingering To-Do List. Pick a task that you have been dreading. Calling your accountant, checking in on your credit card rate, or making a payment - something that has been lingering on the totem pole of your to do list and you have just been putting off. Taking control over a situation that can affect your livelihood is an immediate relief and act of self-respect.

4. Do Something Kind For Your Body. If you have five extra minutes, make yourself a healthy breakfast this morning rather than hitting up the coffee shop or fast food joint. Got more time this afternoon? Go for a walk or a quick workout. Feel like you already fudged? It’s never too late to spend a little healthy time on yourself. Instead of grabbing that sugary Starbucks creation later in the day, grab a good-for-you green juice. Want to veg out to an episode of your favorite show, do quick workouts during the commercials. You will feel better. When we are nice to our bodies and recognize these choices, our confidence perks up.

5. Research. Get a bit savvier on a topic that you are interested in. This is not only a distraction tool to help you from heading down the insecurity path, it can push you into knowing more about something of value. Whether you are looking up new movies that come out this weekend or are interested in learning more about organic eating, a travel destination, or whatever topic tickles you, get online and start searching. The more you know, the better you feel.

Add your quick confidence building tips below and share them with others. Many clients have told me things, such as affirmations, looking at their resumes (when worried about their confidence at work) and calling a close pal for reassurance, are great confidence builders. What confidence boosters work for you?

Take Good Care.

Emily is the author of Express Yourself: A Teen Girls Guide to Speaking Up and Being Who You Are.You can visit Emily’s Guidance Girl website. You can also find her on Facebook, Google+ and Twitter.