Seven Ways to Improve Self confidence

There are some things about ourselves that we can’t change. The size of our feet, for example, or the colour of our skin. But there are many things that can be improved, and the good news is that, given time and dedication, you can considerably increase your level of self-confidence.
Why would you want to? Well, people who are confident about themselves are happier, and more successful than those who are not. Self-confidence is an attractive quality, and people are drawn towards it.
Confidence is not about being loud, aggressive, or showy. It is about self-belief.
The following exercises, if practised regularly, will help to build your confidence, and make you feel better about yourself:

1. Look good: the better you look, the better you feel. Take a pride in your appearance. Make an effort to dress well and look clean and smart, even on your days off, or when you are just popping out to the shops. It will make you feel better. People instinctively have more respect for someone who has respect for themselves.

2. Get fit: do some exercise, - the better you feel physically, the better you feel mentally. Even a brisk walk round the block can pep you up and put a spring in your step.

3. Speak up and speak well - if your opinions are not important to you, they will not be important to anyone else. State your views clearly and with conviction. Even if other people do not agree with you, they will respect your opinions and the way you express them.

4. Believe in what you are doing. If you think your job or your pastimes and hobbies have no value, then you will not value yourself. Take a pride in what you do, and do it well

5. Have the courage of your convictions. Stand up for what you believe and be prepared to argue your cause. It will make you feel good about yourself that you have the strength to back up your own opinions

6. Do something- instead of sitting around thinking about it. It’s easy to sit and dream about what could be. But making something happen, even in a small way, will give you the confidence to carry on and actually achieve something

7. Change your habits – read a book instead of watching your favourite soap; wear something different to work; cook something you’ve never cooked before. Breaking regular routines can stimulate you mentally, and give you the confidence to try different things. The change will do you good.