An Action Plan to Build Your Self-Confidence
Over the past few weeks, we have been talking about the importance of taking action. Let’s apply what we’ve learned to creating an action plan to build self-confidence.
Perhaps you have been reading and learning about self-confidence - this is a good investment in yourself, but only if you apply the strategies you’ve learned. Otherwise nothing will change. There’s a big difference between knowing how to do a push-up, and doing 100 push-ups every day. Simply knowing what it takes to become self-confident won’t get the job done. Application is critical.
Use this plan to boost your self-confidence:
Embrace change. Change is uncomfortable. Scientists believe humans are slow to change because we perceive whatever we’re currently doing is successful. The perceptions were born in our distant pasts, where merely staying alive was a challenge, and new behaviors often led to death. Understand that the discomfort experienced when trying something new is just an ancient instinct rising to the surface. Being uncomfortable isn’t a good reason not to do something. You can still move forward, in spite of your discomfort. Be happy that you’re uncomfortable. It means you’re doing something that will change your life. Maintaining “comfortable” behaviors won’t change anything.
List areas where your self-confidence is most lacking. Figure out where you feel a lack of confidence. It might an inability to learn a new skill or a situation that requires public speaking. Once you target your weaker areas, you can start making the necessary adjustments.[if !supportLineBreakNewLine]
Know your beliefs surrounding the areas where you lack self-confidence. Using the topic of public speaking, for example, you may be afraid you’ll say something embarrassing, or that your voice isn’t pleasant.
Examine those beliefs. Ask yourself if your beliefs are true. Perhaps you have been told, or you’ve told yourself something so many times that you believe that it is true. Using the example of public speaking, maybe you’ve told yourself so many times that your voice isn’t attractive that you now believe that to be true.
But challenge your beliefs. Do you have any proof or evidence that your voice is unpleasant? Think about all the speakers you listen to. Each of them has a unique voice and maybe some of them have beautiful voices and some of them perhaps their voice is not that good but their message is! Ask yourself probing questions. How did you develop this belief? Do you really know it’s true? Have you tested it?
[endif]Seek out a mentor. There are plenty of people who have confidence in the areas you’re facing challenges. Ask for help from someone who is accomplished in an area where you lack confidence, such as public speaking. It’s much easier to be confident when you’re an expert. Learn everything you can, and you’ll feel better about yourself.
[endif]Start small, but start! If you lack confidence with public speaking, find a low-key opportunity to get started. Maybe you can volunteer to read to a kindergarten class or offer to speak to a small group who are going to be supportive of you. As your confidence grows you can take on more challenging opportunities. Being confident with a single step makes the next one possible.
Track your progress. It’s essential to see the progress you’re making. Without progress, you won’t stick to your plan. Celebrate when you see improvements!
Adapt your plan over time. Continually evaluate and tweak your action-plan to suit the changing environment in your life.
If you lack self-confidence, it’s hard to try new things or grow as a person. Set up an action plan that addresses your self-confidence levels, and follow it! You'll achieve the level of confidence you deserve.
