Be Confident And You Will Feel Like You Can Do Anything
Blessed are the happy ones—those who are confident in themselves and do not need constant validation from others or need to brag about their accomplishments. It is good if we are surrounded with these kinds of inspiring people; but the reality is, sometimes, knowing how to build confidence in others is the only way for us to live more fulfilling lives as the world becomes injected with a heavy dose of inferiority complexes and conceitedness these days.
In a world permeated with unreasonable pressure to be ‘in’, most people tend to succumb to unhealthy addictions. One good example is the addiction to achieve. A person who has no or low confidence would take pressures from his parents and peers to the hilt thinking he wouldn’t be accepted and loved unless he gets the top spot in class or win the chess tournament. He’d work hard day and night, never letting himself live a life—all in the name of achievement. But then he makes mistakes, and the world starts to crumble before him. Now every effort he put in the beginning was all a waste, or so he thought. He could never forgive himself for being so stupid and worthless. And the cycle of negativity continues.
Like this person, there are many people who suffer from low or no self confidence. While it is true that humans are the most precious and intelligent beings created by God, they are also the only ones who could invalidate the potentials and gifts God put in them long before they could even utter an intelligible sound. But should it be so?
This world could be a much lovelier place to live in only if all of us would learn to love and embrace our beings. Maybe you have a friend who has very low self-confidence, can you do anything to help him? Of course. Build confidence in himself and you’ve made a lot of difference already. Here are specific steps on how to build confidence in others which you can apply to your family, friends, co-workers, boss, and virtually anybody.
1. Smile. Smile is the single most powerful weapon you have at your disposal. Sometimes, people just need a smile to arouse their belief in themselves. Is your little sister reciting a poem at the stage alone? Give her a beaming smile from the audience’ seat and show her you are confident she can make it. Smile at the new waitress who seems to be having trouble punching the right numbers. Smile at the nerd whom your classmates or co-workers have been avoiding. Smile often works wonders.
2. Praise. If you could be generous at something, choose praise. Hearing a compliment for something you know you have worked hard for will surely boost your confidence. No matter how small or big your friend’s accomplishment is, praise him. Sometimes that’s all he needs to hear to regain his faith in himself and his abilities.
3. Be specific with your praise. A person with low self-confident will find it hard to believe or accept your compliment. So if you want your message of encouragement to get through, you must be specific and sincere with your compliments. Do away with clichés like ‘you look nice’. Which do you find nice about the person—is it her bright countenance, how well she carry her dress, or something else. Communicate to be understood, not just to be heard.
4. Be positive. People with no confidence are rarely optimistic about life, changes, and new things. But positivity can do a lot about these fears. When you spread the positive vibe, you will inevitably draw positivity from the people around you.
5. Be confident yourself. Funny how you can only give what you’ve got. You cannot succeed with this how-to-build-confidence-in-others guide if you yourself are unsure of your own. To help others, you have to help yourself first. So let that confidence brim from inside!
