7 Simple Strategies For Instant Confidence

Written by Eduard Ezeanu - 19 Comments
Categories: self improvement

Let me be clear: I don’t believe in instant confidence as a permanent cure for confidence issues. I think what works in the long run is changing the thinking patterns and belief system which feed insecurities. And this cannot be done in an instant. It take times and persistent action.

I do however believe there are often situations when you don’t have the time to build confidence by addressing the roots and you need an instant boost for your confidence. There are strategies for this, which work a lot like a patch over a wound, with a temporary but also positive effect. This is why from my perspective, this discussion makes sense.

Do a simple search on this topic and you will actually find dozens of tips and tricks for instant confidence. Which always leads me to one simple question: which ones work the best and are truly worth applying?

Having tested a lot of them myself, as well as having seen even more of them at work in my activity as a coach, I’ve selected a couple of them, which I believe to be the most effective strategies for instant confidence. Here they are:

1) Dress sharp. Clothes can be an instant confidence booster, if they’re good quality and look very nice on you. Some people, when they put the right clothes on, perceive themselves as if they have armor, they’re more successful or they’re putting their best selves out there. Dressing sharp can change for a while how you perceive yourself, what you focus on and thus, how you feel.

2) Breathe. When you feel insecure, it manifests itself in your physiology and especially in your breathing, which becomes faster and shallower. Your emotions impact your physiology, but it can also work the other way. Focus on your breathing: first notice it, then start to consciously breathe deeper, slower, and more regular. As you do this, you will quickly notice your negative emotions dropping and you will feel more confident.

3) Exercise. It’s not about going to the gym and working out for two hours. That’s not a quick solution. It’s about using a couple of minutes to do some simple exercising, like stretching your muscles or running a little. Exercising will help release tension in the muscles and will boost your level of endorphins, which is the body’s natural drug for improving your mood, including your confidence.

4) Focus on action. When you feel insecure, your thoughts will often go into a negative cycle: you start thinking negative, dramatic things, which trigger more negative and more dramatic thoughts and so on. One way to get out of this cycle in a moment is to stop focusing on your thinking and instead, acting. In other words, you’re getting out of your head by doing something, and thus, you make the insecurity go down instead of rise.

5) Stop! There is a very simple and effective technique for dealing with negative emotions in some therapies: you focus on your internal dialogue, which is full of negative thoughts that make your nervous, and you say with conviction: “Stop!” Either out loud, or if it’s not convenient, in your internal dialogue. This self-command will interrupt the negative internal dialogue for a while, prevent it from spinning out of control and help you boost your confidence.

6) Think of your qualities. A lot of times, lack of confidence is a result of loosing sight of our qualities, exaggerating your flaws and because of this, thinking you’re going to do terribly. When this happens, consciously remember your qualities, especially those which are relevant in the context, and focus on them. If for example, you are delivering a speech and you know you are very organized in your speaking, think about this, and it will boost your confidence.

7) Remember positive experiences. When you think of positive things, you generate and amplify positive emotions, while at the same time combating negative ones. Think of an experience you had in which you felt very strong positive emotions, especially confidence. Close your eyes and visualize it as clearly as you can, with all the relevant details, as if it were happening again. The better you do this, the more you will improve your mood, your confidence for the moment.

Using these simple strategies, always remember that even if they may work well, they are mostly just temporary patches. If you always find yourself needing them in the same type of situations to feel more confident, it’s a sign you’re not addressing the roots of your confidence issues.  And addressing the roots is the most important thing to do in your personal development.

Eduard Ezeanu is 80% communication coach and 20% something more. He teaches people how to put their best foot forward in communication and helps them propel their careers. He writes personal development advice at Ideas With A Kick and you can follow him on Twitter at @eduardezeanu.


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  • http://frombottomup.com/ Hulbert

    Nice post Eduard. I think one of the fastest way for instant confidence is tip 4 – focus on action. When we focus on taking action, we block everything else out except what we are doing in that moment. After we’re done taking action, we’ve realized we’ve made some progress, and this progress usually gives us inner confidence that help us continue to take more action to reach our goals.

  • http://staceygrewal.com/ Stacey Grewal

    I totally agree, especially with these points: Action, Think of Your Qualities, Remember Positive Experiences

    My six year old is a prime example of what it takes to build confidence. At the moment he is learning how to ride his new bike, without training wheels. Day after day he gets on that big bike, and either my husband or I hold the back while he pedals. He’s not ready yet for us to let go yet, and that’s okay. He’s taking his time, learning the feel of the bike under him; steadying himself before taking the leap. He is getting ready though, steadily building his confidence with each attempt. And each time he gets more excited about venturing off down the street without out help. When the time comes, he will forget about all the tries before when he was scared. He will leave fear behind and zoom off as if he was born to riding that bike. That’s a given. It (confidence) is a given for you too if you just keep trying new things. Celebrate each new victory, like a child does, for greater success.

  • http://go.officearrow.com/home Lauren

    The first tip here about dressing sharp is SO true. The most important thing is to put on whatever you associate with power and confidence. For me, I’ll put on a pair of high heels with form-fitting jeans and it’s like I’m a different person (in a very good way). My confidence tends to stay at a steady level until I find myself in a new or odd situation. In that case, a good method to boost self-confidence is to ask yourself two simple questions. Will this matter in 5 years? What’s the worst that could happen? It tends to keep things in perspective.

  • http://www.freestylemind.com/ Oscar – freestyle mind

    This is very helpful. I realized that it’s fear that is holding us back, and confidence is its exact opposite, so I’m always eager to learn how to be more confident.

  • http://www.ideaswithakick.com Eduard Ezeanu

    Focus on action is also one of my favorite. When you’re thinking too much, it’s time to act.

  • http://www.ideaswithakick.com Eduard Ezeanu

    I think a lot of kids are good at building confidence for themselves. But adults often loose practice and just avoid what they are afraid of. Sometimes, it’s better to be a kid.

  • http://www.ideaswithakick.com Eduard Ezeanu

    I knooow. I tested this one myself, and upgrading my dressing style was one of the best decision I ever made.

  • http://www.ideaswithakick.com Eduard Ezeanu

    Thanks Oscar. Glad I can provide some strategies here.

  • http://www.mysticworship.com Ramesh Raghuvanshi

    Self -confidence is not increase by these tips.you want to increase your confidence you must take action in which you have no confidence.Take the example you have no confidence to give public lecture if donot try or take action your confidence never increase.First you try to lecture may be first time you fail try again. All thing we learn by trial and error.If we did not did mistake we do not learn any thing. If you want to increase your confidence take action in which you want to increase your confidence.

  • http://www.personal-success-factors.com Steve-Personal Success Factors

    Two of my favorites here are: exercise, and focusing on action. Whenever I do those two things, I feel a whole lot better about myself. Great article! Thanks!

  • http://www.2knowmyself.com Farouk

    nice one Eduard :)

  • http://enlightr.com/ Craig Thomas

    Nice post. All pretty straight-forward expect breathing imo. Not one I’ve encountered before but makes perfect sense.

  • http://www.lifemodification.com self esteem help

    So true, I completely agree that self esteem and confidence come from the inside. It is very important to adjust yourself to the changing circumstances having faith in yourself. People should accept you for who you are. No one can deny the fact that an individual’s low sense of esteem can serve as a barrier in the different aspects of his/her life.

  • http://www.lifemodification.com self esteem help

    I totally agree. Most of the people in a way or the other block their own efforts to get closer to the relationships, jobs and the life they always desired. Undoubtedly, low sense of esteem proves to be a barrier in the different phases of a person’s life. Whereas, feeling confident about oneself from the inside opens the door to a lot of opportunities.

  • http://www.lifemodification.com self esteem help

    A lot of people knowingly or unknowingly obstruct their own attempts to move ahead in their relationships, jobs and their overall lives. Unquestionably, having a low sense of esteem can be an obstacle in the different modes of an individual’s life. Though, being self confident unlocks the door to a lot more opportunities.

  • http://getconfidence.org Johan Skålberg

    Nice post and I totally agree.

    When you know your true identity you build your confidence from within. Take time to find out your true values and beliefs, that will grow your confidence from within.

    JOohan Skålberg
    http://getconfidence.org

  • http://www.lifemodification.com motivational

    Self esteem requires a person to believe in him/herself, be self-confident and ready to fearlessly fight with all the difficulties of life, help others, keep his/her commitments, remember his/her objective, and read motivational quotes and stories to keep him/herself motivated because motivation is the key to success.

  • http://flawlessconfidence.com Martin

    Exercise and sport can be the best way to improve one’s self-confidence. For example when you start working out and your physique will change, your self-esteem will probably also become higher. Consequently, you’ll feel more confident. Another example – extreme sports. Extreme sports change your attitude toward risks and help you take action despite being scared. As a result, you’ll become a more confident person. Running helps you develop determination. Climbing makes you a more adventurous person. Etc. Simple exercise is okay, but being a dedicated to a sport is way better.

  • http://keepstayfit.wordpress.com/2011/11/22/10-ways-to-feel-confident-even-when-you-arent/ 10 Ways to Feel Confident (Even When You Aren’t)…..By prince « keep stay fit

    [...] 3.  Keep laughing. Let your brain give vent to the endorphins that will fill you with authentic happiness and internal confidence. Laughter releases some of the tension that invariably builds in your body each day. Pepper your routine with the people or media that make you most happy. You don’t have to overdo it, but a bit of levity goes a long way toward elevating your level of confidence. [...]