8 simple mind hacks to improve your confidence

Would you like to improve your confidence? Most of us would, even if it’s just now and then. It is possible to give your confidence a quick boost with these simple mind hacks., and they’re easier than you’d think. It’s all about doing something rather than nothing and feeling in control again.

How to improve your confidence

1. Tick off something on your ‘to-do’ list.
It doesn’t matter what it is, just get on and do it. When you are successful at something – however small – you feel more confident generally. (If you’re reading a few blogs on this topic you might find people who suggest starting with the biggest task. But if you really need to improve your confidence, starting with the easiest is better.)

2. Declutter your life in every way you can think of.
If you lack confidence you probably have too much that keeps you down. Get the clutter out of your life. This includes people, ‘stuff’ you no longer need, the little jobs you’ve been putting off, and everything else that annoys you. Remind yourself that you deserve better.

3. Do something you’re good at.
As Roald Dahl says in ‘Matilda’: ‘Everyone is born, but not everyone is born the same. Some will grow into butchers, bakers, or candlestick makers. Some will only be good at making jello salad.’ What are you good at? If making fantastic jello salad is your thing, do it as often as you can! You’ll feel happier and your confidence will increase.

4. Don’t put let others put you down!
Don’t share your goals with people who will criticise or tell you that you’ll never do it. If you lack confidence, it’s harder to see that their negative attitudes come from their own doubts and fears, not yours, and their heckling might be enough to make you give up on the idea. Share your goals only with those who will support and encourage you until you’re on your way.

5. Project confidence, even if you don’t really feel it yet.
Your body language affects how you feel and studies show that a stooped posture encourages you to think negatively. Think about someone you know who always seems to be confident, even if that’s a fictional character in a movie. Mimic their movements and posture and see how much more confident you feel.

6. Exercise regularly.
Exercise boosts your endorphins, chemicals in the brain that make you feel good. The result is an improvement in willpower, stamina, and self-belief and a reduction in anxiety. All of these changes will inevitably boost your confidence, too.

7. Make a list of your positive qualities.
If you struggle with this one, ask your friends or family to list three things they like about you. The idea of this exercise isn’t to feel big-headed or egotistical but to recognise your own very real skills, talents and abilities. Keep the list handy and refer to it when your confidence flags.

8. Make a list of goals you have reached in the past.
Include anything from passing exams at school to getting your driving licence. Compare this with the one above and see how your positive qualities got you to those goals. Think about how they can get you to others.

9. Bonus hack. If you have long-standing or deep-rooted issues with confidence it might be a symptom of some other problem. That could be psychological, like anxiety or depression, or physical, like a hormone imbalance. It’s best to have a chat with your GP about it, and/or consider enlisting the help of a hypnotherapist who can help you sort out the underlying issues.

In conclusion, none of us feels confident 100% of the time. It’s natural for your confidence levels to vary from time to time, and in different circumstances. But you can improve things more easily than you think.

Even in challenging circumstances, your confidence is always there, the trick is finding a way to tap into it. These simple actions are an easy way to rediscover the confidence you thought you’d lost.