3 simple tools to boost your confidence

Are you struggling with confidence? Do you find yourself dwelling on past mistakes and perceived failures? If you currently feel like your self-esteem isn’t where you’d like for it to be, I’d like to offer you 3 simple tools to boost your confidence.

But let’s begin with a baseball analogy, OK? Because why not!?

This past May, I attended my son’s high school baseball banquet. Let’s just say that it was an emotional roller coaster of a season with lots of injuries, unexpected setbacks, and the dreaded “hitting slump”. 

You know what a hitting slump is, right?

It seems like anyone who’s been playing baseball long enough gets stuck in a hitting slump at some point. Striking out, not getting on base, watching batting averages sink lower and lower…

Hitting slumps are ROUGH!

Needless to say, towards the end of the season the combined injuries, setbacks, and hitting slumps resulted in a huge drop in confidence. The way the boys took the field with their heads down and shoulders slumped was a huge bummer to watch. Their energy and passion for the game had taken a visible nosedive from the beginning to the end of the season.

But here’s the thing…

These boys still had a tremendous amount of talent between them. They had the skills, knowledge, and wherewithal to succeed despite the challenges they were facing.

The problem is that they gave up. They stopped believing in themselves and each other.

So what do baseball and hitting slumps have to do with you and me and our confidence levels?

Well, I don’t know about you, but I’ve definitely had times in my life when for one reason or another, my confidence has taken a huge hit. Times when I’ve been stuck in my own “hitting slump”. These slumps have impacted everything from my self-talk and mindset, to my energy level, and even the way I carried myself. 

Can you relate?

When our confidence takes a hit, it can seem nearly impossible to see our way through to the other side. But there are some simple ways we can boost our confidence.

Curious to learn more?

3 Simple Tips to Boost Your Confidence

Before diving in, I want to emphasize that true change takes practice, consistency, and commitment. These are not quick fixes but practical tips that you can incorporate into your life immediately. Ultimately, it’s up to you to decide how much energy and effort you will put into boosting your confidence.

#1 - Write down the things you are most proud of in your life. 

These can be related to anything you want. Relationships, family, career, travel, hobbies… Nothing is off-limits! You’ll probably notice that what you are most proud of has also required a solid amount of dedication, consistency, and bravery on your part.

Really consider the accomplishments you’ve listed and recognize all that it required of you to feel proud of them.

Add to this list as often as you’d like and don’t forget to review often!

#2 - Read Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges  by Amy Cuddy or watch her TED Talk, “Your Body Language May Shape Who You Are”.

Amy Cuddy is a social psychologist and professor. You may have already seen her 2012 TED Talk all about the significance of body language. A few years after her talk, she wrote a book called Presence: Bringing Your Boldest Self to Your Biggest Challenges.

I finally picked up a copy of this book after having it on my TBR list for quite some time. Currently, I’m about halfway through and I’d definitely recommend reading it, especially if you’re feeling stuck, defeated, or lacking in confidence. 

What I appreciate about this book is that it doesn’t promote some dramatic, seismic overhaul of our lives. It doesn’t ask us to abandon ourselves and attempt to become other people entirely. Because let’s be honest, that’s not going to work!

Instead, she urges us to make small, consistent changes that take place gradually over the course of our normal daily lives. Through tweaking our body language, behavior, and mindset, we begin to notice subtle changes which morph into incredible and profound changes.

These powerful shifts are EXACTLY what I work on with many of my clients!

#3 - Practice a Positive Affirmation

I’m a HUGE fan of positive affirmations. I also know how absurd and far-fetched many of them can sound. I don’t know about you, but if I read something that I’m supposed to say out loud and it sounds completely ridiculous and unbelievable, there is no way I’m going to do it.

The trick, I’ve learned, to incorporate positive affirmations that will actually stick, is to find affirmations that stretch me a little and cause me a little discomfort, but that I know I am capable of acting on.

Here is a positive affirmation I use myself and that you might find helpful:

• “When I feel stuck, I take one small action, knowing this momentum will grow my confidence.”

See, not absurd, far-fetched, ridiculous, or unbelievable! You acknowledge that you feel stuck, commit to taking one small action, and trust that this will result in momentum that will inevitably grow your confidence.

If you begin to use any of these tips, I’d LOVE to know how they’re working for you! And if you’re currently experiencing a “hitting slump” in your life and you’re feeling stuck, let’s connect for a complimentary 20-minute consultation and see if coaching is right for you. There’s never any pressure or obligation, just a great way for us to connect!

Click here to schedule your coaching consultation call today!