{"id":6239,"date":"2011-05-15T20:05:41","date_gmt":"2011-05-16T04:05:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/?p=6239"},"modified":"2013-09-10T09:47:27","modified_gmt":"2013-09-10T17:47:27","slug":"instant-confidence-just-add-water","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/instant-confidence-just-add-water\/","title":{"rendered":"Instant Confidence: Just Add Water"},"content":{"rendered":"
<\/div>

<\/a><\/p>\n

You rock.\u00a0 When was the last time you told yourself that and meant it?\u00a0 If you can\u2019t remember or (worse!) you don\u2019t agree, then it\u2019s time for a major confidence boost.\u00a0 A lack of confidence affects everything from your productivity to your relationships to how you look and feel.\u00a0 So today, don\u2019t go out and buy that fancy moisturizer. Spend the time instead moisturizing your self-esteem then watch that happy glow return and more importantly, last.<\/p>\n

What most don\u2019t realize is that confidence, like any other muscle, needs exercise and nourishment.\u00a0 Here are five exercises you can do that will raise your confidence levels and the best part is, you don\u2019t even have to break a sweat!\u00a0 So take an hour, grab a pen, a pad and your appointment book. Pour yourself a refreshing glass of water, find your comfy spot and relax.\u00a0 This time and these exercises are a gift to you.<\/p>\n

Dilute any concentrated negative feelings.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Review your past and identify any place that you feel a difficult feeling, such as sadness, anger, betrayal.\u00a0 Did an ex cheat on you?\u00a0 Did your boss pass you up for a promotion?\u00a0 Or maybe your parents could have done a little better.\u00a0 It could be big or small, but if it continues to bother you, it\u2019s important. Make a list of every situation that is weighing on you.<\/p>\n

Now, the fun part.\u00a0 People who use their imagination tend to have more confidence, so imagine some cute magic glasses with those pricey frames you like.\u00a0 What power do these glasses have, you ask?\u00a0 With them you can reread your list, but instead of just seeing anger, sadness and frustration, you can now see other feelings like forgiveness, compassion and understanding.\u00a0 Look at each situation and dilute it with as much healing as possible. Getting to less acidity in your stomach when you think of them is a good goal. It may take a minute. Eventually, you can be free of it completely. I know, cool, right?<\/p>\n

Filter out unnecessary and unenjoyable plans<\/strong><\/p>\n

It\u2019s now time to start keeping our flow clean.\u00a0 Open up that appointment book (yes, this is probably less a book and more some fancy electronic device that makes calls and does your laundry) and let\u2019s review your plans.
\nHow many of these are absolutely necessary?\u00a0 Yes, we mean your job.\u00a0 And yes, you do have to figure out what you need to give Uncle Sam.\u00a0 Only you know what in your calendar is mandatory.\u00a0 Those items can stay.<\/p>\n

Of the rest, how many activities make you happy?\u00a0 Dinner with your best friend?\u00a0 Seeing a movie?\u00a0 A walk in the canyon?\u00a0 A trip to your aunt\u2019s house?<\/p>\n

Keep mandatory and happy, what\u2019s left?\u00a0 How many plans are you dreading that are not a must? \u00a0\u00a0Filter them out.\u00a0 Do it soon.\u00a0 Do it now. These are the ones, as you are getting ready for them, you\u2019re thinking, \u201cHow can I get out of this?\u201d\u00a0 Changing plans last minute can be tricky. Being careful about what you put on your calendar in the first place will do much for your confidence.<\/p>\n

Wash away unsupportive inner chatter<\/strong><\/p>\n

Review the self-dissing comments you are having in your head.\u00a0 You know they\u2019re there!\u00a0 Do you judge yourself?\u00a0 Are you second guessing?\u00a0 Are you being downright mean? I am ready to bet that if you spoke to your friends the way you speak to yourself, you would be pretty short on friends.<\/p>\n

At first don\u2019t edit, let them flow. You need to know what the enemy thinks.\u00a0 It might take you a few days to identify ALL of them, but be on the lookout. Then, take your magical scissors (they are in the box next to the glasses) and cut out anything in your head that is dismissive.\u00a0 These comments are like pickpockets who sneak in and steal bits of your self-esteem.\u00a0 So be aware and catch them.\u00a0 When you notice one, tell the voice, I hear you, I don\u2019t agree, now don\u2019t let the door hit you on the way out.<\/p>\n

Don\u2019t ever be a bully to yourself.\u00a0 So if there\u2019s a bully in there, wash him away.\u00a0 It\u2019s now time to fill the space with something new.<\/p>\n

Rehydrate yourself with positivity<\/strong><\/p>\n

Ask for compliments.\u00a0 Yes, this might be awkward.\u00a0 But you just fired the meanie in there, so you can do this.\u00a0 Send an email to three of your favorite people in your life.\u00a0 Tell them you\u2019re doing an exercise and ask them share what they like most about you.<\/p>\n

You may think of this exercise as fishing for compliments.\u00a0 But hey, is it not fishing season? Whoever told you this was wrong is probably hungry. And salmon is delicious.\u00a0 So yes, fish for compliments.<\/p>\n

Write down these compliments and keep them close.\u00a0 Make a note in that fancy phone of yours.\u00a0 Then, whenever one of those negative pickpockety voices creeps in, refer to your new list.\u00a0 It\u2019s hard for both comments to occupy the same head, so why not listen to the one that\u2019s cheering for you?<\/p>\n

Irrigate the self-esteem fields of others<\/strong><\/p>\n

So, you\u2019ve just learned to rehydrate yourself with positive reinforcement (hooray!), but others may not know how. Don\u2019t wait for them to ask.\u00a0 Bring to mind five of your favorite people who you think could use a little boost.\u00a0 First, make a list with space underneath each name. Now think of three things you like about each person and write them underneath their names. Believe it or not, lifting others lifts you too. So, yes, email it to them.<\/p>\n

Take a gulp<\/strong><\/p>\n

Are you reenergized? Refreshed? Are you ready to make time and give yourself the gift of doing an activity that makes your heart sing?\u00a0Are you ready to take on that project you were hesitant with because you weren\u2019t sure you could?\u00a0 Well now you know you can.\u00a0 After all, you rock.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a>Sophie Chiche, catalyst, visionary, curator of characters and mom is the founder of lifebyme.com, a global community gathered around the question, \u201cWhat is meaningful?\u201d She has master\u2019s degrees in business, journalism and psychology. <\/em><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n


\nDon’t Forget To Follow Us On Twitter!<\/a><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Related Articles:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

How To Increase Self Discipline<\/a><\/p>\n

How To Motivate Yourself<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

What most don\u2019t realize is that confidence, like any other muscle, needs exercise and nourishment. Here are five exercises you can do that will raise your confidence levels and the best part is, you don\u2019t even have to break a sweat! So take an hour, grab a pen, a pad and your appointment book. Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12163,"featured_media":6240,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0},"categories":[205,6],"tags":[4653,1104,66,4639,4652,4629],"yoast_head":"\nInstant Confidence: Just Add Water - Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"What most don\u2019t realize is that confidence, like any other muscle, needs exercise and nourishment. Here are five exercises you can do that will raise your confidence levels and the best part is, you don\u2019t even have to break a sweat! So take an hour, grab a pen, a pad and your appointment book. Pour yourself a refreshing glass of water, find your comfy spot and relax. This time and these exercises are a gift to you.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/instant-confidence-just-add-water\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Instant Confidence: Just Add Water - Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"What most don\u2019t realize is that confidence, like any other muscle, needs exercise and nourishment. Here are five exercises you can do that will raise your confidence levels and the best part is, you don\u2019t even have to break a sweat! So take an hour, grab a pen, a pad and your appointment book. Pour yourself a refreshing glass of water, find your comfy spot and relax. This time and these exercises are a gift to you.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/instant-confidence-just-add-water\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pickthebrain\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2011-05-16T04:05:41+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2013-09-10T17:47:27+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/Screen-shot-2011-05-15-at-11.29.32-AM.png\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"319\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"319\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/png\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@pickthebrain\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:site\" content=\"@pickthebrain\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Erin Falconer\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"5 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebSite\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/#website\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/\",\"name\":\"Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement\",\"description\":\"\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"SearchAction\",\"target\":{\"@type\":\"EntryPoint\",\"urlTemplate\":\"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}\"},\"query-input\":\"required name=search_term_string\"}],\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\"},{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/instant-confidence-just-add-water\/#primaryimage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/Screen-shot-2011-05-15-at-11.29.32-AM.png\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/Screen-shot-2011-05-15-at-11.29.32-AM.png\",\"width\":\"319\",\"height\":\"319\"},{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/instant-confidence-just-add-water\/#webpage\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/instant-confidence-just-add-water\/\",\"name\":\"Instant Confidence: Just Add Water - Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/instant-confidence-just-add-water\/#primaryimage\"},\"datePublished\":\"2011-05-16T04:05:41+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2013-09-10T17:47:27+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/2da8ae162c097bdb749ab098472b4cc5\"},\"description\":\"What most don\u2019t realize is that confidence, like any other muscle, needs exercise and nourishment. Here are five exercises you can do that will raise your confidence levels and the best part is, you don\u2019t even have to break a sweat! So take an hour, grab a pen, a pad and your appointment book. Pour yourself a refreshing glass of water, find your comfy spot and relax. This time and these exercises are a gift to you.\",\"breadcrumb\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/instant-confidence-just-add-water\/#breadcrumb\"},\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"potentialAction\":[{\"@type\":\"ReadAction\",\"target\":[\"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/instant-confidence-just-add-water\/\"]}]},{\"@type\":\"BreadcrumbList\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/instant-confidence-just-add-water\/#breadcrumb\",\"itemListElement\":[{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":1,\"name\":\"Home\",\"item\":\"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/\"},{\"@type\":\"ListItem\",\"position\":2,\"name\":\"Instant Confidence: Just Add Water\"}]},{\"@type\":\"Person\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/2da8ae162c097bdb749ab098472b4cc5\",\"name\":\"Erin Falconer\",\"image\":{\"@type\":\"ImageObject\",\"inLanguage\":\"en-US\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/1173c63284b173ff225e5f87a1af5028?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"contentUrl\":\"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/1173c63284b173ff225e5f87a1af5028?s=96&d=mm&r=g\",\"caption\":\"Erin Falconer\"},\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/author\/erin\/\"}]}<\/script>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Instant Confidence: Just Add Water - Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement","description":"What most don\u2019t realize is that confidence, like any other muscle, needs exercise and nourishment. Here are five exercises you can do that will raise your confidence levels and the best part is, you don\u2019t even have to break a sweat! So take an hour, grab a pen, a pad and your appointment book. Pour yourself a refreshing glass of water, find your comfy spot and relax. This time and these exercises are a gift to you.","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/instant-confidence-just-add-water\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Instant Confidence: Just Add Water - Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement","og_description":"What most don\u2019t realize is that confidence, like any other muscle, needs exercise and nourishment. Here are five exercises you can do that will raise your confidence levels and the best part is, you don\u2019t even have to break a sweat! So take an hour, grab a pen, a pad and your appointment book. Pour yourself a refreshing glass of water, find your comfy spot and relax. This time and these exercises are a gift to you.","og_url":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/instant-confidence-just-add-water\/","og_site_name":"Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement","article_publisher":"http:\/\/www.facebook.com\/pickthebrain","article_published_time":"2011-05-16T04:05:41+00:00","article_modified_time":"2013-09-10T17:47:27+00:00","og_image":[{"width":"319","height":"319","url":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/Screen-shot-2011-05-15-at-11.29.32-AM.png","type":"image\/png"}],"twitter_card":"summary","twitter_creator":"@pickthebrain","twitter_site":"@pickthebrain","twitter_misc":{"Written by":"Erin Falconer","Est. reading time":"5 minutes"},"schema":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebSite","@id":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/#website","url":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/","name":"Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement","description":"","potentialAction":[{"@type":"SearchAction","target":{"@type":"EntryPoint","urlTemplate":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/?s={search_term_string}"},"query-input":"required name=search_term_string"}],"inLanguage":"en-US"},{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/instant-confidence-just-add-water\/#primaryimage","url":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/Screen-shot-2011-05-15-at-11.29.32-AM.png","contentUrl":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2011\/05\/Screen-shot-2011-05-15-at-11.29.32-AM.png","width":"319","height":"319"},{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/instant-confidence-just-add-water\/#webpage","url":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/instant-confidence-just-add-water\/","name":"Instant Confidence: Just Add Water - Pick the Brain | Motivation and Self Improvement","isPartOf":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/#website"},"primaryImageOfPage":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/instant-confidence-just-add-water\/#primaryimage"},"datePublished":"2011-05-16T04:05:41+00:00","dateModified":"2013-09-10T17:47:27+00:00","author":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/2da8ae162c097bdb749ab098472b4cc5"},"description":"What most don\u2019t realize is that confidence, like any other muscle, needs exercise and nourishment. Here are five exercises you can do that will raise your confidence levels and the best part is, you don\u2019t even have to break a sweat! So take an hour, grab a pen, a pad and your appointment book. Pour yourself a refreshing glass of water, find your comfy spot and relax. This time and these exercises are a gift to you.","breadcrumb":{"@id":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/instant-confidence-just-add-water\/#breadcrumb"},"inLanguage":"en-US","potentialAction":[{"@type":"ReadAction","target":["https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/instant-confidence-just-add-water\/"]}]},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","@id":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/instant-confidence-just-add-water\/#breadcrumb","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Home","item":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Instant Confidence: Just Add Water"}]},{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/2da8ae162c097bdb749ab098472b4cc5","name":"Erin Falconer","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","inLanguage":"en-US","@id":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/#\/schema\/person\/image\/","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/1173c63284b173ff225e5f87a1af5028?s=96&d=mm&r=g","contentUrl":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/1173c63284b173ff225e5f87a1af5028?s=96&d=mm&r=g","caption":"Erin Falconer"},"url":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/author\/erin\/"}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6239"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12163"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=6239"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/6239\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/6240"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=6239"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=6239"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.pickthebrain.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=6239"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}