Confidence is a trait that profoundly influences how others perceive us.
When you radiate it, people tend to flock to you.
When you don’t, the image you project suffers. Others may see you as meek or unimportant.
But besides making you more appealing to your peers, being self-assured impacts the way you navigate the world.
Let’s face it: when everyone else thinks you’re cool, you’re in much higher spirits.
Here are 7 things confident people do that command respect from others.
Valuing yourself is key to emotional well-being.
1) They are true to who they are
Confident people have a deep understanding of who they are.
This makes them comfortable in their skin and more likely to come across as relatable and trustworthy.
I once bought a dress I’ve been obsessed with for a while.
I kept seeing it all over my social media. I knew it wasn’t my style, but I couldn’t resist.
It was gorgeous, flattering, feminine, dreamy.
Yet when I put it on and looked in the mirror, I instantly deflated. I looked awkward and stiff.
I’m currently the kind of girl who wears baggy jeans, shorts, band tees, corsets, and sneakers.
Sure, I could force myself to wear the dress in public, but I know I would never feel confident in it, and everyone else would be able to tell.
It’s not me.
I didn’t return it though. It’s in my closet, acting as a reminder to stay true to who I a.
And, who knows? Maybe one day I will become the kind of girl who feels empowered in that kind of dress rather than graceless. Change is the only constant in life.
Confidence means accepting yourself wholeheartedly, warts and all.
Only then you can play to your strengths and command respect from others.
2) They speak their mind
Ever spoken up about something and prefaced your statement with an apology or self-deprecating remark?
Something along the lines of:
- I’m sorry to disagree, but…
- Sorry to intrude, but…
- This is probably a bad idea, but…
- This is probably dumb, but…
- I’m not an expert on the matter, but…
If so, your self-doubt is showing.
A confident person speaks their mind even when they know they’re about to say something not everyone will agree with.
Whether it’s a controversial opinion, a bold suggestion, or an idea they’re not 100% sure about, they don’t apologize for taking up space.
They believe they have the right to voice their thoughts and raise concerns regardless of how their audience may interpret their words.
Coincidentally, this makes them command respect from others.
Go figure.
3) They are proactive
Self-assured people are proactive in all aspects of their lives.
Since they believe in their abilities, they are more likely to take initiative or view challenges as opportunities.
As a result, they have a better shot at success, if only because they put themselves out there.
Rather than being passive observers of their lives, they work hard to shape their own destiny.
They not only set goals but take decisive action to achieve them.
In contrast, people who lack confidence sit back and wait for things to happen to them.
They hesitate, avoid risk, and remain stuck in their comfort zone.
I’ve been struggling with confidence for most of my life; until I finally realized that my dream job won’t accidentally fall into my lap.
That I need to get out of the house in order to find a partner. That I will never get into shape by staying in bed and binge-watching my favorite sitcom over and over again.
The ironic thing is that what they all say is true. You *can* fake it until you make it.
Getting started is the hardest part.
Once you do, you become loads more interesting.
It’s not long before others take notice.
4) They don’t minimize their accomplishments
Another thing confident people do that commands respect from others?
They aren’t shy about sharing their accomplishments.
I’ve been working as a freelance content writer for a few years.
Ever since I took the plunge, people have been occasionally marveling at the fact that I’m able to stay productive while working from home, with no one to look over my shoulder.
At first, I would say it’s no big deal. I would tell them about days when I had trouble changing out of my pajamas and turning on my laptop.
About how I would prefer to deep clean my fridge than chase invoices and about how having no deadlines sometimes makes me feel like I’m doing nothing with my life.
Somewhere along the way, however, I stopped minimizing the hard work I poured into my career.
Truth is, I managed to keep myself afloat all these years with no outside help.
I took on projects I’m passionate about, I wrote articles I’m proud of, and I worked with clients who would recommend me in a heartbeat.
That’s not nothing, and I’m proud of myself.
Being confident means celebrating your accomplishments, not downplaying them.
They act as fuel for your continued growth.
5) They own up to their mistakes
This one may seem counterintuitive, but owning up to your mistakes does command respect from others.
See, everyone fails.
The fact that you found the strength to pick yourself up after life threw you a curveball and try again is both impressive and inspiring.
Being accountable for your blunders is admirable for several reasons:
- It demonstrates an honest assessment of your areas for improvement
- It shows that you accept your errors and strive to learn from them
- It conveys courage and vulnerability
- It proves resilience, a crucial trait among individuals who go after what they want
Humility is an essential component of confidence.
Don’t lose sight of that.
6) They prioritize self-care
You can’t be confident if you don’t take care of yourself.
Self-assured people know how to set healthy boundaries and put their health and sanity first, which enables them to be their best selves when interacting with others.
Imagine going to a party in frumpy clothes after only getting three hours of sleep and eating a meal that makes you feel bloated and sluggish.
Would you be able to project confidence and command respect?
Maybe, but you’ll have to work much harder at it.
Confident folks understand the importance of self-care in maintaining their energy levels, productivity, and overall quality of life.
They make sure to get enough sleep, eat a balanced diet, manage stress, and exercise.
They protect their time and energy at all costs.
When you treat yourself like a priority, you feel like one.
Projecting confidence becomes a walk in the park.
7) They celebrate others
Confident people command respect from others by celebrating their wins.
They don’t feel threatened by the success of others because they understand that someone else’s accomplishments don’t detract from their own.
This security allows them to genuinely celebrate people without envy or resentment.
They cultivate an abundance mindset, believing that there are enough opportunities to go around.
Just because someone else got where they want first doesn’t mean they won’t catch up or that they have to rush on their personal journey.
The only person you should be in competition with is yourself.
As long as you’re in a better place than you were this time last year, you’re doing something right.
Give yourself some credit.
Final thoughts
Confidence isn’t just about how we carry ourselves.
It affects all aspects of your life, from how others perceive you to how you perceive yourself.
Thankfully, there are things you can do to become more self-assured.
Start by identifying your strengths, celebrating each small achievement, and surrounding yourself with supportive people.
More importantly, keep the promises you make to yourself and treat yourself with compassion.
There will be bumps along the way, but practice makes perfect.
