Self-confidence
is a quality that some people seem to have in spades. No matter what challenge is
at hand, they jump right into the fray to participate without worrying about
what others think or might say about this show of enthusiasm. The only thing
that matters is having an opportunity to do something they enjoy and/or believe
that they can accomplish. They
manifest the mantra, “What other people
think of me is none of my business.” So, why isn’t everyone so confident?
Confidence,
like almost every other belief and behavior, is a learned response. But guess
what: even people who seen to exude this trait from every pore can lose it from
time to time. The key to their continued success is that they know how and what
to do to get back into the game and recoup that lost mojo.
Following are some tips to help
boost your self-confidence and override any influences that may negatively affect
your performance:
·
Practice
diaphragmatic breathing: inhale through the nostrils to draw the air (and
oxygen) deep into your lungs, hold the breath for four seconds and then slowly
release the air through your mouth. You can tell that you are doing this
technique correctly because your shoulders remain still but your tummy expands when you breathe in and flattens again
when you breathe out. Exhale on the thought or word “confidence,” or any other
word or image that represents confidence to you.
·
While
you are breathing this way, think about a time(s) when you accomplished a
similar or other “big” goal. How did it feel (physical sensations, emotional response)
when you first realized that you had succeed? Once you have a good image of
this success in your mind, press your thumb and index finger together as you
exhale on your image of confidence (this success).
·
Do
the Emotional Freedom Technique to reinforce your commitment to loving and
respecting yourself as you work through and overcome this issue. EFT is very
easy to learn, and it is a very effective tool to help people overcome a variety
of blocks, negative behaviors, etc. For more information about EFT, check out
the website at www.eftuniverse.org.
·
Do
something (physical or mental) that you know you are good at and enjoy. Take a
walk, go for a swim or even solve a Rubik’s Cube® if that is your area of
expertise. Choose an activity you know can accomplish, which will increase your
self-confidence and reinforce your subconscious mind’s association between self-confidence
and success.
·
Remember who you are. Whoever you are and wherever you
come from, you have something to offer to the other people around you. Perhaps
that something is an unusual personal experience or philosophy; maybe it is that
talent which you have temporarily forgotten how to access but are working on
retrieving that skill. If you are an employee, consider your skills that earned
your job offer. If you are the owner of a company, think about everything you
did to make the business what it is and attract people to want to work with and
for you. If you are a performer or artist, remember the work you have produced
that people are willing to pay to see or even own.
Finally, be sure to drink plenty of
water, avoid caffeine and alcohol, and eat foods that contain protein to minimize
your anxiety and keep your mood even. It is important to have some protein in
your diet because this substance helps to prevent a drop in blood-sugar level, which
can exacerbate any anxiety you may be feeling and further sabotage your
self-confidence. For more information about the relationship between nutrition
and anxiety, please visit my “Nutrition and Hypnotherapy” blog (January 14,
2014).
Sara R. Fogan, C.Ht. is a
certified hypnotherapist based in Southern California. She graduated with
honors from the Hypnosis Motivation Institute in 2005. For more
information about Calminsense Hypnotherapy®, please visit http://www.calminsensehypnotherapy.com/.
© 2014
