The Science-Based Secrets to Boosting Your Confidence
Today, with all the social media, Photoshopped magazine photos and popular ideal of a size zero, it’s no wonder younger girls’ and women’s self-confidence has sunk to an all-time low. But self-confidence isn’t just about how you look. It affects everything in your life and extends to how you feel about your personality, ability, skills and more. In fact, two main things contribute to self-confidence: self-efficacy and self-esteem.
I think it’s safe to say we’ve all struggled with self-confidence at some point in our lives — for some of us, it’s an up-and-down rollercoaster. And a lot of us base our self-confidence on what others think and say to us and about us. I’ll admit it; I do it from time to time! It’s definitely a big no-no, though. You’re pretty much doomed if you do that. At some point, you realize not everybody is going to like you.
Someone with high self-confidence is generally more positive and they believe in themselves and their abilities. For example, in our book, The Fit Bottomed Girls Anti-Diet, we talk a lot about accepting compliments. Someone with low self-confidence will usually dismiss a compliment. They might say something like, “Ugh, it looks horrible. I’m having such a bad hair day,” if someone compliments them on their hair. Someone with high self-confidence will accept the compliment graciously and respond with maybe just a simple “thank you!” This was something I personally did before becoming a part of the FBG team and reading the book. I’ve learned the power of accepting a compliment. A simple “thank you” will do just fine!
Happify, which has an awesome mission of inspiring lasting happiness, put together a pretty rad infographic on the science behind boosting your confidence. It ends on a pretty cool note, too, with a powerful quote from Eleanor Roosevelt (amen, sister!).
For guided science-based activities to help you boost your confidence, join Happify’s Overcome Your Insecurities and Feel More Confident track, created by positive psychology coach Derrick Carpenter.
Do you struggle with self-confidence? Did any of these stats really stick out to you? Next time I’m in the potty, I think I’m going to have to give that Wonder Woman trick a try. Hopefully, nobody peaks under the stall while I’m doing it. —Erika