Psychology-Backed Ways to Boost Your Self-Confidence Quickly

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Try these quick and easy tips for an instant confidence boost
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Do you need an immediate confidence boost? While building unshakeable confidence might take some time, there are a variety of little things you can do to put a spring in your step and raise your self-esteem in the moment you need it most. Read on for some expert psychological tactics you can try that will help you feel more self-confident right away.

This article is based on an interview with our life and relationship transition coach, Leah Morris, owner of Life Remade. Check out the full interview here.

1

Affirm yourself through positive self-talk.

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  1. Positive affirmations help improve self-confidence and reduce your anxiety. [1] Research shows that focusing on a positive outcome helps you produce that positive outcome. Here are some things you might say to yourself: [2]
    • "This is an opportunity for me to try something new."
    • "It took guts for me to do this and I'm proud of my effort."
    • "I am up for any task that comes my way."
    • "I am grateful for the opportunities that have come my way."
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2

Think about things you're good at.

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  1. This helps if your mental pattern is to dwell on all the things that you're bad at or on all of the times you've failed. Instead of thinking about those things, turn on the light in your mind and look at all the things you've achieved and the things you can do. Whenever you find yourself turning to a weakness or a negative, gently turn your mind towards a strength or a positive. [3]
    • For example, if you're nervous about a presentation but you know you're great at making presentation slides, you might think, "My presentation might not go great, but that's okay! I know people will love the slides and easily be able to follow along regardless."
    • This might be hard to do at first, but the more you do it, the more natural it will become. After a while, you'll find you can do it without even having to consciously think about it.
3

Be kind to yourself.

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  1. If you're about to say something critical to yourself, stop. Ask yourself, "Is this something I would say to my best friend?" If your answer is "no," then you shouldn't say it to yourself either! Encourage yourself and lift yourself up rather than being overly critical or demanding of yourself. [4]
    • Remember that nobody is perfect—including you. If you expect perfection from yourself, you'll always find something to criticize yourself over. Focus on the effort you put into things rather than the outcome.
    • For example, you might say, "I didn't get the position I wanted, but I had a really good interview and I learned more about what I want out of work. Now I have the opportunity to pursue something else."
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4

Express love for yourself.

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  1. [5] When you love yourself, you treat yourself like the hero of your own story. Remember that you have grown and developed into an amazing human being who you appreciate. [6]
    • One way to do this is to take 10 deep breaths in and out slowly. As you breathe, focus on nothing but love for yourself as a whole person. It could be as simple as saying, "I love myself" in your mind.
    • When things happen in your life, nothing can take away the love that you feel for yourself. With practice, this will become a natural state for you.
5

Repeat a motivational mantra.

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  1. It's pretty easy to come up with a great mantra for yourself. Just think about what you want or how you want to be perceived, then add the words "I am" in front of it. Here are some examples: [7]
    • "I am enough."
    • "I am at peace in this moment."
    • "I am worthy of taking up space."
    • "I am strong."
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6

Visualize yourself succeeding.

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  1. Sit back, close your eyes, and imagine yourself achieving your goal. Try to put as much life as possible into the details. Who's there with you? What's going on around you? What does it feel like? What are you thinking? The more details you can create, the more real it will seem. [8]
    • When you can picture yourself there, you're more likely to actually achieve your goal. You've made success real in your mind—now all you have to do is make it a physical reality.
    • Don't just visualize the success itself—walk yourself through all the things that need to happen to achieve your goal.
7

Spend time with people who give you a boost.

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  1. Try to limit your time with people who are overly critical or only bring you down. After a while, you'll start to internalize the things they say. Instead, surround yourself with people who have a generally positive outlook on life and look at things with an open mind. [9]
    • If you cultivate curiosity and work on being more open-minded , you'll be less likely to assume that the worst will happen, which can help you build confidence in yourself.
    • When you spend a lot of time with people who are curious and interested in the world around them rather than dismissive and skeptical, that curiosity will rub off on you.
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8

Set realistic goals for yourself.

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  1. [10] When you set a goal , you're making a commitment to yourself that you're going to achieve that thing. Start small! When you make small commitments to yourself and keep them, you'll gradually become more confident in your ability to accomplish what you want to accomplish. [11]
    • For example, you might want to eat more healthy foods . You might start by making a commitment to yourself to cook one healthy meal for yourself each week. When you accomplish that for several weeks in a row, you'll really feel your confidence improving.
    • Not only do you get a confidence boost from doing something that you wanted to do, you also get a confidence boost from the fact that you made a commitment to yourself and then respected yourself enough to keep that commitment.
9

Face your fears head-on.

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  1. If there's something you're afraid of, take a deep breath and do it! You might need to start small, but as you gradually overcome your fears, you'll start to believe in yourself more and more. You conquered something that previously scared you—that's a big deal! [12]
    • For example, if there's someone in a group you're in who you find intimidating, take a minute next time you're there to walk up and say "hi" and introduce yourself.
    • When you face your fears , you not only improve your self-confidence but also your self-esteem, which could be defined as the reputation you have with yourself.
    • These two concepts are interrelated because when your reputation with yourself is strong, you're more likely to have faith in yourself.
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10

Breathe deeply to calm your nerves.

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  1. When you breathe deeply and focus on your breath, it helps you center yourself and keep anxiety at bay. Try this: take a deep breath in for 4 counts, breathe out for 4 counts, and then hold it at the bottom for 4 counts. Repeat this cycle 4 times. Doing deep breathing will help you feel more relaxed and centered. [13]
    • Deep breathing exercises also help bring your attention to the present moment. A lot of self-doubt comes from thinking about the future. If you stay in the present , you'll feel more confident.
11

Stop procrastinating on small tasks.

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  1. People often procrastinate because they're afraid to fail. If you can get something small out of the way that you've been putting off for a while, you'll get an instant confidence boost when you achieve it. Then, celebrate your achievement—no matter how small. [14]
    • It's important to avoid slipping into negative self-talk here. If the task turned out to be super easy, you might wonder why you put it off for so long. Just say to yourself, "I'm glad that I accomplished that today. I did a great job with it and now I no longer have it hanging over my head."
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12

Groom yourself and dress nicely.

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  1. Just the act of spending a little time on your appearance can give you a bit of a confidence boost. Looking at yourself in the mirror and actually being proud of what you see will really build up your self-confidence in a good way. Stand tall and smile at yourself in the mirror and tell yourself you look great. [15]
    • Listen to confidence-building music while you're getting ready to enhance the whole moment and make your boost even stronger.
13

Smile broadly and project happiness.

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  1. Just moving the muscles of your face into a smile helps your brain process the world around you in a more positive way. So by pretending to be happy and comfortable, you can actually help make yourself more happy and comfortable. [16]
    • Smiling also projects confidence to those around you. When you smile , you seem more open and welcoming. You'll seem like you belong and are comfortable being there.
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14

Sit or stand with good posture.

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  1. When you sit or stand with confidence , people around you believe you're confident (even if you're really not). This might seem a little like "fake it until you make it," but it really works. When you stand tall and proud with your chest out, you take up more space and feel more confident about yourself. [17]
    • In contrast, if you're slouching or hunched over, you might give people the impression that you're not interested in what's going on or don't want to be there.
15

Get up and move around.

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  1. A little physical activity stimulates your body to produce some feel-good hormones that will really lift your mood. Beyond that, it helps release nervous jitters and can make you feel a lot more confident in yourself. [18]
    • For example, you might do some quick jumping jacks or push-ups before you have to give a presentation that you're nervous about.
    • A short, brisk walk can also help you clear your mind and feel more confident about whatever situation you're about to face.
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16

Talk to a friend, family member, or coworker.

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  1. Sometimes it's hard to admit that you're nervous or afraid about something, but your friends and family are always there to help. Let them know what's got you down and ask if they'd be willing to say something to boost your confidence a bit and help you feel better about it. [19]
    • For example, you might say, "Hey, I've got this date coming up. I really like this person and I'm feeling pretty nervous about it. Could you tell me some things you like about me to pep me up a little?"
    • Reader Poll: We asked 278 wikiHow readers how they build self-confidence and self-worth, and only 11% of them said Seeking therapy or counseling. [Take Poll]
      • Speaking to a therapist or counselor might not be the first thing you think of when you're trying to improve your self-confidence, but sometimes it helps to have an unbiased person to talk to.

How Can You Build Self-Confidence?

Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    How can I restore my confidence and self esteem after a disappointing birthday?
    Lauren Urban, LCSW
    Licensed Psychotherapist
    Lauren Urban is a licensed psychotherapist in Brooklyn, New York, with over 13 years of therapy experience working with children, families, couples, and individuals. She received her Masters in Social Work from Hunter College in 2006, and specializes in working with the LGBTQIA community and with clients in recovery or considering recovery for drug and alcohol use.
    Lauren Urban, LCSW
    Licensed Psychotherapist
    Expert Answer
    Hang out with a few friends, relax, go exploring, and work out. Do something active and enjoyable. Your energy will bounce back over time if you keep doing things you enjoy and hanging out with people you love.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
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    Yes No
    Not Helpful 2 Helpful 18
  • Question
    How do you boost self-confidence?
    Leah Morris
    Life Coach
    Leah Morris is a Life and Relationship Transition coach and the owner of Life Remade, a holistic personal coaching service. With over three years as a professional coach, she specializes in guiding people as they move through both short-term and long-term life transitions. Leah holds a BA in Organizational Communication from California State University, Chico and is a certified Transformational Life Coach through the Southwest Institute for Healing Arts.
    Leah Morris
    Life Coach
    Expert Answer
    I recommend trying some positive affirmations. When you're looking in the mirror, say some phrases to help build your confidence. For example, you could say, "You're going to do great." or "You're smart and you're capable." With practice, these phrases will naturally become part of how you view yourself.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
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    Not Helpful 5 Helpful 19
  • Question
    How can I boost my self-confidence?
    Leah Morris
    Life Coach
    Leah Morris is a Life and Relationship Transition coach and the owner of Life Remade, a holistic personal coaching service. With over three years as a professional coach, she specializes in guiding people as they move through both short-term and long-term life transitions. Leah holds a BA in Organizational Communication from California State University, Chico and is a certified Transformational Life Coach through the Southwest Institute for Healing Arts.
    Leah Morris
    Life Coach
    Expert Answer
    Try saying positive affirmations to yourself each day. For example, you might say, "I'm smart and capable." or "I'm creative." You can also ask your friends to tell you what your best qualities are for a quick confidence boost.
    Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
    Thank you for your feedback.
    If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
    Yes No
    Not Helpful 3 Helpful 11
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      References

      1. ↑ Leah Morris. Life Coach. Expert Interview. 19 June 2020.
      2. ↑ https://www.researchgate.net/publication/222428460_Mechanisms_underlying_the_self-talk-performance_relationship_The_effects_of_motivational_self-talk_on_self-confidence_and_anxiety
      3. ↑ Kamal Ravikant. Author, Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends On It. Expert Interview. 2 December 2019.
      4. ↑ https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/self-esteem/tips-to-improve-your-self-esteem/
      5. ↑ Leah Morris. Life Coach. Expert Interview. 19 June 2020.
      6. ↑ Kamal Ravikant. Author, Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends On It. Expert Interview. 2 December 2019.
      7. ↑ https://www.inc.com/mandy-antoniacci/how-to-write-a-powerful-mantra-that-will-change-way-you-think.html
      8. ↑ https://www.canr.msu.edu/news/use_visualization_for_success
      9. ↑ https://www.inc.com/peter-economy/5-quick-hacks-to-instantly-boost-your-confidence.html
      1. ↑ Leah Morris. Life Coach. Expert Interview. 19 June 2020.
      2. ↑ Kamal Ravikant. Author, Love Yourself Like Your Life Depends On It. Expert Interview. 2 December 2019.
      3. ↑ https://www.inc.com/lolly-daskal/19-simple-ways-to-boost-your-self-esteem-quickly.html
      4. ↑ Leah Morris. Life Coach. Expert Interview. 19 June 2020.
      5. ↑ https://wp.nyu.edu/mind/2023/03/10/building-confidence-from-the-ground-up-10-small-changes-you-can-make/
      6. ↑ JT Tran. Dating Coach. Expert Interview. 5 May 2020.
      7. ↑ https://www.unisa.edu.au/Media-Centre/Releases/2020/when-youre-smiling-the-whole-world-really-does-smile-with-you/
      8. ↑ https://www.inc.com/peter-economy/5-quick-hacks-to-instantly-boost-your-confidence.html
      9. ↑ https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/self-esteem/tips-to-improve-your-self-esteem/
      10. ↑ https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/self-esteem/tips-to-improve-your-self-esteem/

      About This Article

      Article Summary X

      Having a lack of self-confidence can be challenging, but if you reframe your thoughts and use confident body language, you can start to see an improvement. Whatever you’re doing, tell yourself that you’re going to do the best you can and be awesome. Sometimes, just telling yourself positive things can help to build your confidence. Make sure you stand up straight with your shoulders relaxed and smile, which can help to make you feel more confident right away. You can also ask a friend or family member to give you a quick pep talk to boost your self-confidence. For more tips from our co-author, including how to ask for validation from others, read on!

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