11 traits of people who are naturally confident (without being arrogant)

Have you ever met someone who just seems to shine with confidence?

They walk into a room and suddenly, everything feels a bit brighter.

They’re self-assured, but not in an annoying, show-off kind of way. They’re just naturally confident and it shows.

Confidence isn’t something you’re born with. It’s a skill that you can learn and get better at over time.

Everyone can become more confident, including you. 

In this article, we’re going to take a look at 11 traits that naturally confident people have.

These are things that they do, ways they behave, that show their confidence.

And guess what? None of these traits involve being arrogant or thinking they’re better than everyone else.

1. They Embrace Positivity

Ever noticed how naturally confident people seem to have a positive glow about them? This isn’t a coincidence.

These individuals make a conscious choice to remain optimistic, even when the going gets tough.

They refuse to let negative thoughts or setbacks cloud their sunshine.

This positive outlook isn’t about ignoring life’s problems, rather it’s about approaching difficulties from a more hopeful and solution-focused perspective.

Remember, the world largely reflects back what you project.

2. They Believe in Themselves

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s a big one.

Naturally confident people truly believe in their abilities and potential.

They know they’re not perfect (spoiler: no one is), but they trust in their skills and the value they bring.

This isn’t about having an inflated ego or thinking they’re the best at everything. It’s about knowing what they’re good at and not being afraid to show it.

Even when faced with new challenges, they have faith that they will find a way to succeed.

So, trust yourself and your abilities. The more you believe in yourself, the more confident you’ll become.

3. They’re Not Afraid of Failure

Confident people understand that failure is not a dead-end, but a stepping stone to success.

Once, I was tasked with leading a major project at work. I was excited but also terrified of messing up.

And guess what? I did mess up, big time. The project didn’t go as planned and I felt like a complete failure.

But instead of letting this experience crush my confidence, I chose to see it as a lesson.

I took the time to understand where things went wrong and how I could improve in the future.

It wasn’t easy, but that failure taught me more about leadership and resilience than any success ever could have.

So, like many confident people, I now see failure as an opportunity to grow and learn. Instead of fearing it, I embrace it.

Remember: it’s not about how many times you fall, but how many times you get back up.

That’s the real marker of confidence.

4. They Step Out of Their Comfort Zone

Confident people know that growth often happens outside of the comfort zone.

They’re not afraid to push themselves and try new things, even if it feels a bit scary or uncomfortable at first.

Stepping outside of your comfort zone is one of the key pathways to personal growth.

People who regularly take on new and challenging experiences tend to have a stronger sense of self and greater life satisfaction.

So, if you want to boost your confidence, don’t be afraid to step out of your comfort zone.

Take on a new challenge, learn a new skill, or simply try something you’ve never done before.

It might feel uncomfortable at first, but it’s all part of the journey to becoming more self-assured.

5. They Practice Self-Love and Acceptance

Confident people have a strong sense of self-love and acceptance. They recognize their worth and they don’t let others’ opinions sway their self-perception.

They understand that everyone has strengths and weaknesses, and they accept themselves, flaws and all.

Being hard on ourselves is something we all do from time to time.

But constantly criticizing yourself or comparing yourself to others can erode your confidence.

On the other hand, treating yourself with kindness and understanding can help build it up.

So, be gentle with yourself. Recognize your accomplishments, however small they may seem.

Accept your flaws as part of what makes you unique.

Remember, self-love isn’t about thinking you’re perfect. It’s about accepting yourself as you are, while striving to become the best version of you.

And that’s a trait that truly confident people embody.

6. They Set Personal Goals

Setting personal goals is another major trait of naturally confident people, and it’s something I’ve found to be incredibly helpful in my own life.

When I set a goal for myself, whether it’s running a half marathon, learning a new language, or even mastering a new recipe, it gives me a clear direction.

It’s like having a roadmap to where I want to go.

But the real confidence boost comes from the process of working towards that goal.

Each small step I take brings me closer to reaching it and with every stride, my belief in my abilities strengthens.

Even if there are obstacles along the way or if things don’t go exactly as planned, the progress made gives me the confidence to keep pushing forward.

So, set yourself some goals.

They don’t have to be huge or life-changing – just something that’s meaningful to you.

As you work towards them and start to see progress, you’ll likely find your confidence growing too.

7. They’re Not People-Pleasers

Naturally confident people aren’t in the business of pleasing everyone.

They know it’s an impossible task and frankly, not a healthy one.

This doesn’t mean they’re selfish or inconsiderate. It simply means they understand the importance of standing their ground, even if it means disappointing someone.

People-pleasing might seem like the easy route – you avoid conflict and everyone’s happy, right?

Wrong.

In the long run, it can lead to resentment, stress, and a shaky sense of self.

If you’re constantly bending over backwards to make others happy, when do you have time to focus on what makes you happy?

Confident people get this. They respect others, but they also respect themselves.

They’re okay with saying “no” when they need to and they don’t let the fear of confrontation or judgement stop them from expressing their needs or opinions.

So, take a leaf out of their book. Be kind, be respectful, but don’t be a people-pleaser. It’s okay to put yourself first sometimes.

That’s not being selfish, it’s being self-aware – and that’s a key component of natural confidence.

8. They Embrace Continuous Learning

Naturally confident people understand that learning is a lifelong journey.

They’re always open to new ideas and experiences, and they’re not afraid to admit when they don’t know something.

Cmbracing continuous learning can actually boost your confidence.

People who are open to learning new things have higher self-efficacy – the belief in one’s abilities to succeed in specific situations or accomplish a task.

Don’t be afraid to be the person who’s always asking questions and seeking new knowledge or experiences.

Not only will it make you more knowledgeable and adaptable, but it will also give your confidence a major boost.

9. They Surround Themselves with Positive Influences

I’ve always been a firm believer in the old saying, “You are the average of the five people you spend the most time with.”

Naturally confident people tend to surround themselves with positive influences – people who encourage them, inspire them, and lift them higher.

In my own life, I’ve found that surrounding myself with upbeat, optimistic individuals has had a huge impact on my own outlook and self-confidence.

These are the people who cheer me on when I succeed, support me when I stumble, and challenge me to be the best version of myself.

Their positive energy is infectious and it helps fuel my own confidence.

Take a look at the people you’re spending most of your time with. Are they fostering your confidence or are they draining it?

Remember, it’s ok to distance yourself from negative influences and seek out relationships that make you feel good about yourself.

After all, confidence is contagious!

10. They Take Care of Themselves

You can’t pour from an empty cup. Naturally confident people understand this. They take care of their physical health, their mental health, and their emotional wellbeing.

They exercise, eat well and get enough sleep because they know that when they feel good physically, it boosts their self-confidence.

They also take time for self-reflection and mindfulness, because they understand the importance of a healthy mind.

So, if you’re skimping on self-care in the name of productivity or people-pleasing, it’s time to rethink.

Prioritizing your wellbeing isn’t selfish; it’s essential for building and maintaining confidence.

11. They Aren’t Afraid to Ask for Help

Confident people understand that asking for help isn’t a sign of weakness; it’s a sign of strength and humility.

It shows that you value growth over ego and are secure enough to admit that you don’t know everything.

Many of us fear asking for help because we don’t want to appear incompetent or burden others.

But the truth is, everyone needs help sometimes.

By reaching out to others when you need it, you’re not only giving yourself the opportunity to grow and learn but also showing others that it’s okay to do the same.

So don’t be afraid to ask for help when you need it. It doesn’t make you weak or less confident. In fact, it does just the opposite.

Remember, genuine confidence is built over time. It’s not about being perfect; it’s about being perfectly okay with who you are – flaws, failures, and all.

It’s about embracing the journey of becoming the best version of yourself.

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Picture of Lachlan Brown

Lachlan Brown

I’m Lachlan Brown, the editor of Ideapod and founder of Hack Spirit. I love writing practical articles that help others live a mindful and better life. I have a graduate degree in Psychology and I’ve spent the last 6 years reading and studying all I can about human psychology and practical ways to hack our mindsets. If you to want to get in touch with me, hit me up on Twitter or Facebook.

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