Another Handful of Tips 84R – Building Confidence

Five of the best tips to increase your confidence

To build your self-esteem always seize any sensible opportunity – be ambitious!

“Always remember you are braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think”, said Christopher Robin.

Some people are self motivated; others are motivated by set-backs and become determined to succeed.

Here are the best ways to improve your confidence.

1. Accept new challenges

Never decline a job because you are not sure if you can do it. How will you know until you try?

2. Master new skills

Continually upgrade your skills and learn new ones, especially communication skills, such as public speaking.

Perform in public by joining a debating or Toastmasters club, a drama group, or a choir.

Study, attend summer schools or take night classes.

Internet study courses are well worthwhile to build confidence and to learn new skills at a pace that suits.

3. Try new things

Join clubs or worthwhile voluntary organisations.

You can gain new skills outside your work by taking on responsibilities in social, service organisations or in sports clubs.

Make an effort to meet new people and chat to them. Ask them leading questions, such as “Where did you grow up?” , “Where did you go to school?” ,and so on. It will help build your confidence.

4. Master meeting skills

All organisations have annual meetings and use some form of parliamentary procedure with secretaries, minute-takers, chairman etc.

Learn the rules and the skills on how to conduct meetings. This will help enhance your abilities in the eyes of your colleagues and improve your confidence.

5. Travel

Travelling will help build your confidence because you will be challenged into all sorts of unusual situations.

Attend international events and maintain online contacts with interesting people you meet. You will see the world through new eyes and gain confidence to cope with unusual events.

As your confidence increases your competence increases.

Geoffrey Moss

“If you have confidence in yourself, others will too.”

SOURCE: “Secrets for Success. This book could change your life”. First published by Moss Associates Ltd, New Zealand and by Cengage Learning Asia. Also available as an e-book from Amazon.com.