5 Simple Steps to Boost Your Confidence

This is a collaborative post. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I’ve always struggled with confidence, but one thing I’ve learned is that you need to take it one step at a time. Some people may be able to jump on a plane or speak at an event right off the bat, but for others, it takes time to build up that confidence.

Lately, I’ve been making an effort to be more confident in my business and my personal life. I’ve attended networking events, taken myself on solo day trips, and next month, I’m going to my first conference.

But I didn’t get there overnight. I took small steps to get to where I wanted to be – and I’m still on that journey. If, like me, you want to learn how to boost your confidence in small, actionable steps, I can help!

I’ve put together 5 simple steps to boost your confidence and push yourself. Work your way through each step or pick and choose the ones that work for you.

A step-by-step guide to boost your confidence

Let’s take a look at 5 steps to improve your confidence and feel happy in your skin!

1. Set goals for yourself

Why do you want to be more confident? What do you want to achieve? Just saying “I want to be more confident” is a little vague. It doesn’t really get to the heart of the issue, which might be that you want to be a speaker, go on a solo holiday or just get better at meeting new people.

Whatever your goals, consider writing down what you want to achieve. It could be something tiny or something huge, but writing it down will keep you focused.

scrabble tiles spelling out "Yes You Can"
Image credits: Brett Jordan via Unsplash

If you feel overwhelmed by the idea of setting goals, start with microgoals. This is something tiny, like making your bed or getting dressed for the day. All of these little tasks add up – and they can help you feel a little more competent as you start your day.

2. Surround yourself with the right people

Being confident doesn’t have to be something you do by yourself! Surround yourself with the right people, whether that’s supportive friends and family, or colleagues.

I definitely feel more confident for having people in my corner. That’s people who understand what I do, understand my anxieties, and encourage me to go for the things I want.

As well as the people in your life, read up on those who inspire you. How did they conquer their anxieties? What did they do to improve their confidence?

3. Think about what you wear

It’s important to think about how you present yourself to the world. This isn’t about wearing a suit or always wearing make-up. It’s about tapping into what actually feels good for you.

It could be as simple as working out which clothes feel the most comfortable, or look the most flattering. Confidence is so often linked to self-esteem, so little changes can make a big difference.

woman on the phone on a sofa in professional business attire with a laptop on her knee
Photo by Magnet.me on Unsplash

You could find a new accessory that complements your existing ones, such as your engagement ring, or you could put together a more professional outfit for your next big presentation.

I always find how I dress influences how I feel about myself. It boosts my confidence and ensures I feel comfortable and happy.

4. Push yourself out of your comfort zone

I love the comfort zone! I’m quite an anxious, routine-based person, so it can feel scary to push myself away from what I know.

However, I think there are some little ways to get out of your comfort zone without completely changing who you are or what you like to do. If something big scares you, what is a small first step you could take towards your goal?

For example, if you want to feel more confident travelling on your own, you don’t have to book a holiday to Japan, but maybe you could stay in a local city for the night.

It’s all about learning how to push yourself out of your comfort zone, especially if there’s something you really want to do.

Looking for more? Check out my blog post for 8 healthy habits for self-improvement to become your best self.

5. Keep track of your progress

Finally, keep track of your progress to boost your confidence. When I’m worried about something, it’s easy for me to default to “I can’t do this.”

This is when I need to remind myself of how far I’ve come. For example, I never used to feel like I could get the train by myself. Now, I do it without even thinking.

open diary with a pencil resting on the pages
Photo by JESHOOTS.COM on Unsplash

I never used to go to networking events or speak about my business. Now, I do it a little more confidently – it’s all a process! Take time to document your progress.

You can use this as proof before a new or scary situation. It helps to look back on previous projects or big moments to physically remind yourself how far you’ve come. You’ve got this!

Do you have any tips to improve your confidence? How do you boost your confidence on difficult days? What is your favourite tip to build up your self-esteem?

Let me know all your thoughts in the comments below 🙂

Happy reading x

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Author: Not-So-Modern Girl

I’m Eleanor, welcome to my little corner of the internet! I’m a freelance content writer and book lover from Yorkshire. On my blog, I write about life as a 20-something, including posts about freelance life, blogging, book reviews and more. I also write resources for bloggers and writers on my Gumroad account, including my ebook 'The Art of Blog Writing'.

12 thoughts

  1. Thank you for this, it came at just the right time as I am looking to take some small steps towards new opportunities- and it’s scary!! I think writing down what steps I want to take and why is a great idea. I also agree that feeling good in how you dress and present yourself is important. I heard someone recently say how they like to put on their best blazer and lipstick to make business calls, even though they’re working from home and nobody can see them! It just boosts their confidence. I loved that 😀

    Liked by 1 person

    1. It’s so scary! Small steps all the way 🙂 thank you so much, I think it’s easy to tell ourselves that we “should” be more confident, but what does that really mean for us? I love that! It’s easy to let those things slip, especially now that a lot of us work from home, but those little things can make such a big difference. Thank you for reading x

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