11 tiny things pretty much anyone can do to boost their confidence

Confidence is not just for superheroes in movies, it’s for everyday people like us.

The best part? Confidence is a skill that we can all learn and get better at.

Confidence can help you do well in job interviews, make new friends, or simply feel better about yourself.

In this article, we’re going to talk about 10 small things you can do to start feeling more confident.

Are you ready?

Let’s get started. 

1. Start Your Day with a Positive Affirmation

How you start your morning often sets the tone for the entire day.

So, kick start your day with a positive vibe.

Stand in front of the mirror and tell yourself something encouraging.

It could be something like, “Today will be a good day” or “I’m going to rock this presentation.”

This might feel a bit weird at first, but trust me, it works.

Positive affirmations are powerful tools that can help you believe in yourself and boost your confidence.

So, go ahead and pep-talk yourself into a fantastic day!

2. Celebrate Small Wins

In life, it’s easy to overlook the small victories when we’re so focused on big goals.

But each step you take towards those goals is worth celebrating.

Finished a tricky task at work? Pat yourself on the back.

Managed to cook a new recipe without burning the kitchen down? That’s awesome!

By acknowledging and celebrating these small wins, you remind yourself of your capabilities and boost your confidence.

So, the next time you accomplish even a tiny task, give yourself a high-five!

3. Set Realistic Goals

Setting realistic goals has been a game-changer for me.

A few years ago, I decided to start running. Initially, I set a goal to run a marathon in three months.

Guess what? I failed miserably. It was far too ambitious and I ended up feeling disappointed and less confident.

So, I tried a different approach. I started setting smaller, more achievable goals.

First, it was to run for 10 minutes without stopping.

Then, 20 minutes, then 30, and so on.

Every time I hit one of these mini-goals, it boosted my confidence and made the bigger goal seem less daunting.

Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day. Set realistic goals that challenge you, but are also achievable. It’s all about those baby steps!

4. Practice Mindfulness

Did you know that mindfulness can actually change the structure of your brain? It’s true!

A study from Harvard found that practicing mindfulness can increase the density of the hippocampus, a part of the brain associated with self-awareness, compassion, and introspection, all of which can help boost your confidence.

Mindfulness is all about being present and focusing on the here and now.

Instead of worrying about the past or future, mindfulness encourages you to accept and appreciate yourself as you are.

You can practice mindfulness through meditation, yoga, or simply by taking a few minutes each day to focus on your breathing.

Give it a try – your brain will thank you. 

5. Be Kind to Others

There’s a beautiful quote by Mark Twain that says, “Kindness is a language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.”

Being kind to others isn’t just good for the world; it’s also good for your confidence.

When you perform acts of kindness, it lifts your spirits and makes you feel good about yourself.

You start to see yourself as a positive influence in the world, which can significantly boost your self-esteem.

Whether it’s helping an elderly neighbor with groceries or simply smiling at a stranger, every act of kindness counts.

So, spread kindness like confetti and watch as your confidence soars.

6. Embrace Failure

This one is close to my heart. A few years back, I started a small business. It was my dream project and I put everything into it.

But despite all my efforts, it failed. I was devastated and my confidence took a serious hit.

But as I picked up the pieces, I realized that failure wasn’t the end of the world. In fact, it taught me invaluable lessons that success never could.

I learned about my strengths and weaknesses, about resilience and perseverance.

And most importantly, I learned that failure is just a stepping stone towards success.

So now, whenever I face a setback, instead of letting it dent my confidence, I embrace it as a learning opportunity.

Remember, every failure brings you one step closer to success.

Don’t fear failure, learn from it. 

7. Let Go of Perfection

Nobody’s perfect. Not you, not me, not even the most polished Instagram influencers or million-dollar Hollywood stars.

We all have flaws and make mistakes and that’s okay.

Chasing perfection is like chasing a mirage.

It’s exhausting and you’ll never reach it.

It will only leave you feeling inadequate and dent your self-confidence.

Instead, embrace your imperfections. They’re what make you unique and human.

The moment you stop aiming for perfection and start embracing your authentic self, flaws and all, you’ll find your confidence levels skyrocketing.

Let go of that perfect image and be unapologetically you!

8. Exercise Regularly

Did you know that exercise isn’t just good for your body, but it can also boost your confidence?

According to a study, people who exercise regularly and feel good about their fitness exhibit higher levels of self-confidence.

You don’t have to be a gym rat or run marathons to reap the benefits.

Even a simple 20-minute walk or a quick home workout can make a difference.

Exercise releases endorphins, known as the “feel-good” hormones, which can help to improve your mood and make you feel more confident.

So, lace up those sneakers and get moving.

9. Keep Learning

One of my favorite quotes is by Albert Einstein, who said, “Once you stop learning, you start dying.”

I’ve found this to be incredibly true in my personal life.

A few years ago, I felt stuck in a rut, both personally and professionally. My confidence was at an all-time low.

Then I decided to learn a new skill – photography. It was something I’d always been interested in but never took the time to explore.

As I started learning and improving, I noticed a significant boost in my confidence.

Learning something new not only adds another string to your bow but also provides a sense of achievement and self-worth.

It could be anything – a new language, cooking, coding, painting – the list is endless. 

10. Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

This is a tough one, especially in today’s social media-driven world. It’s so easy to scroll through Instagram or Facebook and start comparing your life to the highlight reels of others.

But understand this: what you see online is often a carefully curated, filtered version of reality.

Comparing yourself to others is like comparing apples to oranges.

We’re all on different journeys, with different starting points and different challenges.

Instead of comparing, focus on your own growth and progress. That’s the only comparison that matters.

11. Practice Self-Love

Last but definitely not least, is practicing self-love. This might sound like a buzzword but trust me, it’s essential for your confidence.

Self-love is about accepting yourself as you are – the good, the bad, and the ugly. It’s about treating yourself with kindness and respect.

We’re often our own harshest critics, picking at our flaws and mistakes.

But imagine if we treated ourselves as we treat our best friend – with compassion, understanding, and unconditional love? That’s what self-love is all about.

So start today. Look in the mirror and tell yourself – “I am enough. I am worthy. I am loved.” And believe it, because you are!

Remember, confidence isn’t built overnight. It’s a journey, not a destination. But with these small steps, you’ll be well on your way.