How to Be More Confident: 9 Tips That Work

Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsWays to Be More ConfidentConfidence vs. InsecurityBeing More Confident Has a Lot of BenefitsFrequently Asked Questions

Table of ContentsView All

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Table of Contents

Ways to Be More Confident

Confidence vs. Insecurity

Being More Confident Has a Lot of Benefits

Frequently Asked Questions

The majority of us probably want to be a little more confident. A feeling of trust in your abilities, qualities, and judgment? Sign us up. The American Psychological Association defines self-confidence as “a belief that one is capable of successfully meeting the demands of a task.”

It can refer to a general sense of trust in your ability tocontrol your life, or it might be more situation-specific. For example, you might have high self-confidence in a particular area of expertise but feel less confident in other areas. Research suggests that confidence is important to health andpsychological well-being.

But cultivating and maintaining confidence isn’t easy and it’s an easy thing to lose when you feel like you’ve failed or made a mistake. That’s why actively working on building up your self-confidence is so crucial, it’s something you have to maintain. As cheesy as it sounds, you do have to believe in yourself!

“The doubt that comes with second-guessing yourself has both internal and external repercussions,” explains Hannah Owens, LMSW. “Confidence not only affects you and how you feel about yourself, but it also communicates to others that you are trustworthy and capable—which can be helpful both socially and at work.”

Having a healthy level of self-confidence can help you become more successful in your personal and professional life. Research has found, for example, that more confident people tend to achieve more academically.Your level of confidence even affects how you present yourself to others.

Fortunately, there are several ways you can increase your self-confidence. Whether you lack confidence in one specific area or struggle to feel confident about anything, these nine tips can help you be more confident.

Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

Do you compare how you look to people you follow on Instagram? Or maybe you compare your salary to what your friend earns.Social comparison theoryexplains that making comparisons is natural. But it isn’t likely to help boost your self-confidence. It may even have the opposite effect.

A 2018 study published inPersonality and Individual Differencesfound a direct link between envy and the way we feel about ourselves.Specifically, researchers noted that when people compare themselves to others, they experience envy. And the more envy they have, the worse they feel about themselves.

How do you build self-confidence when you notice that you are drawing comparisons? First, remind yourself that doing so isn’t helpful. Everyone is running their own race and life isn’t a competition.

If you’re feeling envious of someone else’s life, it’s also helpful to remember your own strengths and successes. Keep agratitude journalto better recall the areas in life where you are blessed. This can help you focus on your own life versus focusing on the lives of others.

“Social media is especially nefarious in this way,” says Owens. “It is a system practically designed to foster comparison. But remembering that people generally only post the very best and the very worst of their experiences can help you celebrate your daily victories, which can boost your confidence.”

The Stress of Social Comparison and How to Limit Comparing Yourself to Others

Surround Yourself With Positive People

Take a moment and think about how your friends make you feel. Do they lift you up, or do they bring you down? Are they constantly judging you, or do they accept you for who you are?

Instead, surround yourself with people who love you and want the best for you. Seek out others who are positive and can help build your confidence. Self-confidence and a positive attitude go hand-in-hand.

Take Care of Your Body

This tip for how to be more confident is based on the idea that it’s hard to feel good about yourself if you’re abusing your body. When youpractice self-care, you know you’re doing something positive for your mind, body, and spirit—and you’ll naturally feel more confident as a result.

Here are a few self-care practices linked to higher levels of self-confidence:

Caring for yourself is important to self-confidence. Make sure you are getting what you need to feel good about yourself and your abilities.

“Taking care of your body doesn’t just mean looking good,” explains Owens. “When you make yourself and your self-care a priority, you are projecting to the world that you matter—which convinces others to feel the same way about you.”

Be Kind to Yourself

Self-compassioninvolves treating yourself with kindness when you make a mistake, fail, or experience a setback. It allows you to become more emotionally flexible and helps you better navigate challenging emotions, enhancing your connection to yourself and others.

Hannah Owens, LMSWTaking care of your body doesn’t just mean looking good…When you make yourself and your self-care a priority, you are projecting to the world that you matter—which convinces others to feel the same way about you.

Hannah Owens, LMSW

Taking care of your body doesn’t just mean looking good…When you make yourself and your self-care a priority, you are projecting to the world that you matter—which convinces others to feel the same way about you.

A 2015 study connects self-compassion with self-confidence.So the next time you’re in a challenging situation, recognize that being imperfect or falling short at times is a part of being human. Do your best to navigate these experiences with compassion toward yourself.

Self-Compassion Exercises to Boost Your Happiness

Practice Positive Self-Talk

The next time you begin to think that you have no business speaking up in a meeting or that you are too out of shape to work out, remind yourself that your thoughts aren’t always accurate. Then find a way to turn those thoughts around into morepositive self-talk.

Here are a few examples of ways to challenge pessimistic self-talk and reframe your thoughts into a more positive way of thinking, increasing your self-confidence along the way:

Face Your Fears

Practice facing some of your fears that stem from a lack of self-confidence. If you’re afraid you’ll embarrass yourself or think that you’re going to mess up, try anyway. A little self-doubt can even help improve performance.Tell yourself it’s just an experiment and see what happens.

You might learn that being a little anxious or making a few mistakes isn’t as bad as you thought. And each time you move forward, you gain more confidence in yourself. In the end, this can help prevent you from taking risks that will result in major negative consequences.

“This is, of course, easier said than done,” says Owens, “but even small victories can help. Consider this a kind of exposure therapy - even a little progress is still progress!”

Do Things You’re Good At

What happens when you do things that you are good at? Your self-confidence starts to soar. Your strengths become even stronger, which helps improve your belief in yourself. Taking this approach also has another benefit: it can increase how satisfied you are with your life.

If you’re good at a certain sport, for instance, make it a point to train or play at least once a week. If you’re good at a particular task at work, try to do that task more often. Building on your strengths can also help you build your self-confidence.

7 Tips for Finding Your Purpose in Life

Know When to Say No

While doing things you’re good at can give your self-confidence a boost, it’s equally important to recognize situations that can cause your confidence to plummet. Maybe you find that every time you participate in a certain activity, you feel worse about yourself instead of better.

Saying no to activities that tend to zap your self-confidence is okay. Certainly, you don’t want to avoid doing anything that makes you feel uncomfortable because discomfort is often part of the personal growth process. At the same time, there’s nothing wrong withknowing your boundariesand sticking to them.

Setting social and emotional boundaries enables you to feel safer psychologically. It can also help you feel more in control. Self-confidence is, in part, feeling like you have control over your life.Boundaries help establish this feeling of control.

The next time someone suggests doing something that you know will lower your self-confidence, respectfully decline. You don’t have to avoid that activity forever either. Once you learn how to be more confident, you may feel strong enough to try it again—without hurting the confidence you have in yourself.

Set Realistic Goals

Pursuing your goalsoften involves failing several times until you figure out what works. This can make you wonder if you have what it takes to succeed. It can also leave you questioning how to be more confident while still achieving your dreams. The answer lies in setting realistic goals.

Setting high-reaching goals and failing to achieve them has been found to damage confidence levels.Conversely, realistic goals are achievable. And the more you achieve your goals, the greater your confidence in yourself and your abilities.

Toset realistic goals, write down what you want to achieve. Next, ask yourself what chance you have of attaining it. (Be honest!) If the answer is slim to none, the goal may be a bit too lofty. Dial it back so it is more realistic and more achievable.

This may require doing a bit of research on your part. For instance, if you have a goal to lose weight, experts recommend losing one to two pounds per week for healthy, long-term weight loss.Knowing this helps you set a goal in line with this guideline, boosting your self-confidence when you hit it.

Press Play for Advice on Confidence

When learning how to be more confident, it can be helpful to understand how someone with self-confidence is different from someone who is more insecure. Here are just some of the differences between the two.

Confident PeopleCelebrate other people’s successOpen-mindedOptimisticWilling to take risksLaugh at themselvesDecisiveAlways learning and growingAdmit mistakesAccept responsibilityInsecure PeopleJudge and are jealous of othersClose-mindedPessimisticAfraid of changeHide flawsIndecisiveAct like a know-it-allMake excusesBlame others

Confident PeopleCelebrate other people’s successOpen-mindedOptimisticWilling to take risksLaugh at themselvesDecisiveAlways learning and growingAdmit mistakesAccept responsibility

Celebrate other people’s success

Open-minded

Optimistic

Willing to take risks

Laugh at themselves

Decisive

Always learning and growing

Admit mistakes

Accept responsibility

Insecure PeopleJudge and are jealous of othersClose-mindedPessimisticAfraid of changeHide flawsIndecisiveAct like a know-it-allMake excusesBlame others

Judge and are jealous of others

Close-minded

Pessimistic

Afraid of change

Hide flaws

Indecisive

Act like a know-it-all

Make excuses

Blame others

Being confident in yourself just feels good. That said, having self-confidence can also bring many additional benefits at home, at work, and within your relationships. Here’s a look at a few of the positive effects of learning how to be confident:

RecapLearning how to be more confident can have a range of positive effects on your life. In addition to helping you feel better about yourself and your abilities, self-confidence can make your relationships stronger and make you more resilient to stress.

Recap

Learning how to be more confident can have a range of positive effects on your life. In addition to helping you feel better about yourself and your abilities, self-confidence can make your relationships stronger and make you more resilient to stress.

Keep in Mind

Everyone struggles with confidence issues at one time or another. Fortunately, there are several things that you can do to boost self-confidence. In many cases, learning how toactconfident can actually help youfeelmore confident.

“This is similar to the adage that the physical act of smiling can trick your brain into feeling happier,” says Owens. “If you exude confidence, even when you don’t feel that way, others will treat you differently, which will boost your confidence—and thus the cycle continues.”

Sometimes low self-confidence is a sign of a mental health condition such asdepressionoranxiety. If your self-confidence interferes with your work, social life, or education, consider talking to a mental health professional. Atherapistcan help you better understand the issue, recommend treatment, and work with you to develop skills to build your self-confidence.

Simply Believing You Can Improve Your Mental Well-Being Goes a Long Way

Frequently Asked QuestionsIf your confidence tends to lag in social situations, try to change your perspective. Instead of looking at group interactions as a stressor, view them as an opportunity to work on building your self-confidence. Taking someone with you who makes you feel confident can also give you the self-belief needed to feel more comfortable around groups of people.Creating the social event yourself may help as well because you will know what to expect and have some level of control. If social situations cause you great anxiety along with reduced self-confidence, talking to a mental health professional can help.Learn More:An Overview of Social AnxietyOne way to develop self-confidence in a relationship is to recognize your worth. When you know the value you bring to others, it helps you feel more confident in yourself. It can also be helpful to stay in the present and not worry about the past or the future.If your lack of confidence in relationships is due to a fear of being rejected, remember that not everyone is compatible. Just as you might not be for them, they might also not be for you—it’s nothing personal.Learn More:Fear of Rejection and Its ConsequencesIf your lack of confidence in the workplace is tied to concerns about your performance, check in regularly with a superior to see how you’re doing. Ask for feedback about areas where you can improve, then work on them to feel more confident in your duties.It can also be helpful to consider where you excel at work and perform these activities as often as possible. If you do make a mistake, admit it, learn from it, and move on. No one is perfect, so you shouldn’t expect yourself to be either.Learn More:6 Ways to Feel Better About Your JobIf your self-confidence is tied to your physical appearance, developing a more positive body image can help. Instead of focusing on areas of your body that you dislike, spend more time appreciating the areas you feel good about.Another tip for how to become more confident is to not compare your body to anyone else’s. No two bodies are the same and each has its own strengths. Remember that there is room in this world for people of all shapes and sizes.Learn More:10 Ways to Feel Better About the Way You Look

If your confidence tends to lag in social situations, try to change your perspective. Instead of looking at group interactions as a stressor, view them as an opportunity to work on building your self-confidence. Taking someone with you who makes you feel confident can also give you the self-belief needed to feel more comfortable around groups of people.Creating the social event yourself may help as well because you will know what to expect and have some level of control. If social situations cause you great anxiety along with reduced self-confidence, talking to a mental health professional can help.Learn More:An Overview of Social Anxiety

Creating the social event yourself may help as well because you will know what to expect and have some level of control. If social situations cause you great anxiety along with reduced self-confidence, talking to a mental health professional can help.

Learn More:An Overview of Social Anxiety

One way to develop self-confidence in a relationship is to recognize your worth. When you know the value you bring to others, it helps you feel more confident in yourself. It can also be helpful to stay in the present and not worry about the past or the future.If your lack of confidence in relationships is due to a fear of being rejected, remember that not everyone is compatible. Just as you might not be for them, they might also not be for you—it’s nothing personal.Learn More:Fear of Rejection and Its Consequences

If your lack of confidence in relationships is due to a fear of being rejected, remember that not everyone is compatible. Just as you might not be for them, they might also not be for you—it’s nothing personal.

Learn More:Fear of Rejection and Its Consequences

If your lack of confidence in the workplace is tied to concerns about your performance, check in regularly with a superior to see how you’re doing. Ask for feedback about areas where you can improve, then work on them to feel more confident in your duties.It can also be helpful to consider where you excel at work and perform these activities as often as possible. If you do make a mistake, admit it, learn from it, and move on. No one is perfect, so you shouldn’t expect yourself to be either.Learn More:6 Ways to Feel Better About Your Job

It can also be helpful to consider where you excel at work and perform these activities as often as possible. If you do make a mistake, admit it, learn from it, and move on. No one is perfect, so you shouldn’t expect yourself to be either.

Learn More:6 Ways to Feel Better About Your Job

If your self-confidence is tied to your physical appearance, developing a more positive body image can help. Instead of focusing on areas of your body that you dislike, spend more time appreciating the areas you feel good about.Another tip for how to become more confident is to not compare your body to anyone else’s. No two bodies are the same and each has its own strengths. Remember that there is room in this world for people of all shapes and sizes.Learn More:10 Ways to Feel Better About the Way You Look

Another tip for how to become more confident is to not compare your body to anyone else’s. No two bodies are the same and each has its own strengths. Remember that there is room in this world for people of all shapes and sizes.

Learn More:10 Ways to Feel Better About the Way You Look

17 SourcesVerywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Self-confidence.Perry P.Concept analysis: Confidence/self-confidence.Nurs Forum. 2011;46(4):218-30. doi:10.1111/j.1744-6198.2011.00230.xStankov L, Morony S, Lee YP.Confidence: The best non-cognitive predictor of academic achievement?Educat Psychol. 2014;34(1):9-28. doi:10.1080/01443410.2013.814194Vrabel JK, Zeigler-Hill V, Southard AC.Self-esteem and envy: Is state self-esteem instability associated with the benign and malicious forms of envy?Pers Individ Diff. 2018;123:100-104. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2017.11.001Rafiei H, Senmar M, Mostafaie M, et al.Self-confidence and attitude of acute care nurses to the presence of family members during resuscitation.British J Nurs. 2018;27(21). doi:10.12968/bjon.2018.27.21.1246Duke University Personal Assistance Service.Self-care tips for the body & soul.Zamani Sani SH, Fathirezaie Z, Brand S, et al.Physical activity and self-esteem: Testing direct and indirect relationships associated with psychological and physical mechanisms.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2016;12:2617–2625. doi:10.2147/NDT.S116811Lemola S, Räikkönen K, Gomez V, Allemand M.Optimism and self-esteem are related to sleep. Results from a large community-based sample.IntJ Behav Med. 2013;20(4):567-571. doi:10.1007/s12529-012-9272-zArslan C.Interpersonal problem solving, self-compassion and personality traits in university students.Educ Res Reviews. 2015;11(7):474-81. doi:10.5897/ERR2015.2605Walter N, Nikoleizig L, Alfermann D.Effects of self-talk training on competitive anxiety, self-efficacy, volitional skills, and performance: an intervention study with junior sub-elite athletes.Sports (Basel). 2019;7(6):148. doi:10.3390/sports7060148Martins I, Perez Monsalve JP, Velasquez Martinez A.Self-confidence and fear of failure among university students and their relationship with entrepreneurial orientation: Evidence from Colombia.Academia Revista Latinoamericana de Administracion. 2018;31(3):471-85. doi:10.1108/ARLA-01-2018-0018Woodman T, Akehurst S, Hardy L, Beattie S.Self-confidence and performance: A little self-doubt helps.Psychol Sport Exer. 2010;11(6):467-470. doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2010.05.009Tsai CL, Chaichanasakul A, Zhao R, Flores LY, Lopez SJ.Development and validation of the strengths self-efficacy scale (SSES).J Career Assess. 2013;22(2):221-232. doi:10.1177/1069072713493761University of South Florida Counseling Center.What is self-confidence?Höpfner J, Keith N.Goal missed, self hit: Goal-setting, goal-failure, and their affective, motivational, and behavioral consequences.Front Psychol. 2021;12:704790. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.704790Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is healthy weight loss?Hyseni Duraku Z, Hoxha L.Self-esteem, study skills, self-concept, social support, psychological distress, and coping mechanism effects on test anxiety and academic performance.Health Psychol Open. 2018;5(2):2055102918799963. doi:10.1177/2055102918799963

17 Sources

Verywell Mind uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.American Psychological Association.Self-confidence.Perry P.Concept analysis: Confidence/self-confidence.Nurs Forum. 2011;46(4):218-30. doi:10.1111/j.1744-6198.2011.00230.xStankov L, Morony S, Lee YP.Confidence: The best non-cognitive predictor of academic achievement?Educat Psychol. 2014;34(1):9-28. doi:10.1080/01443410.2013.814194Vrabel JK, Zeigler-Hill V, Southard AC.Self-esteem and envy: Is state self-esteem instability associated with the benign and malicious forms of envy?Pers Individ Diff. 2018;123:100-104. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2017.11.001Rafiei H, Senmar M, Mostafaie M, et al.Self-confidence and attitude of acute care nurses to the presence of family members during resuscitation.British J Nurs. 2018;27(21). doi:10.12968/bjon.2018.27.21.1246Duke University Personal Assistance Service.Self-care tips for the body & soul.Zamani Sani SH, Fathirezaie Z, Brand S, et al.Physical activity and self-esteem: Testing direct and indirect relationships associated with psychological and physical mechanisms.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2016;12:2617–2625. doi:10.2147/NDT.S116811Lemola S, Räikkönen K, Gomez V, Allemand M.Optimism and self-esteem are related to sleep. Results from a large community-based sample.IntJ Behav Med. 2013;20(4):567-571. doi:10.1007/s12529-012-9272-zArslan C.Interpersonal problem solving, self-compassion and personality traits in university students.Educ Res Reviews. 2015;11(7):474-81. doi:10.5897/ERR2015.2605Walter N, Nikoleizig L, Alfermann D.Effects of self-talk training on competitive anxiety, self-efficacy, volitional skills, and performance: an intervention study with junior sub-elite athletes.Sports (Basel). 2019;7(6):148. doi:10.3390/sports7060148Martins I, Perez Monsalve JP, Velasquez Martinez A.Self-confidence and fear of failure among university students and their relationship with entrepreneurial orientation: Evidence from Colombia.Academia Revista Latinoamericana de Administracion. 2018;31(3):471-85. doi:10.1108/ARLA-01-2018-0018Woodman T, Akehurst S, Hardy L, Beattie S.Self-confidence and performance: A little self-doubt helps.Psychol Sport Exer. 2010;11(6):467-470. doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2010.05.009Tsai CL, Chaichanasakul A, Zhao R, Flores LY, Lopez SJ.Development and validation of the strengths self-efficacy scale (SSES).J Career Assess. 2013;22(2):221-232. doi:10.1177/1069072713493761University of South Florida Counseling Center.What is self-confidence?Höpfner J, Keith N.Goal missed, self hit: Goal-setting, goal-failure, and their affective, motivational, and behavioral consequences.Front Psychol. 2021;12:704790. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.704790Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is healthy weight loss?Hyseni Duraku Z, Hoxha L.Self-esteem, study skills, self-concept, social support, psychological distress, and coping mechanism effects on test anxiety and academic performance.Health Psychol Open. 2018;5(2):2055102918799963. doi:10.1177/2055102918799963

American Psychological Association.Self-confidence.Perry P.Concept analysis: Confidence/self-confidence.Nurs Forum. 2011;46(4):218-30. doi:10.1111/j.1744-6198.2011.00230.xStankov L, Morony S, Lee YP.Confidence: The best non-cognitive predictor of academic achievement?Educat Psychol. 2014;34(1):9-28. doi:10.1080/01443410.2013.814194Vrabel JK, Zeigler-Hill V, Southard AC.Self-esteem and envy: Is state self-esteem instability associated with the benign and malicious forms of envy?Pers Individ Diff. 2018;123:100-104. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2017.11.001Rafiei H, Senmar M, Mostafaie M, et al.Self-confidence and attitude of acute care nurses to the presence of family members during resuscitation.British J Nurs. 2018;27(21). doi:10.12968/bjon.2018.27.21.1246Duke University Personal Assistance Service.Self-care tips for the body & soul.Zamani Sani SH, Fathirezaie Z, Brand S, et al.Physical activity and self-esteem: Testing direct and indirect relationships associated with psychological and physical mechanisms.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2016;12:2617–2625. doi:10.2147/NDT.S116811Lemola S, Räikkönen K, Gomez V, Allemand M.Optimism and self-esteem are related to sleep. Results from a large community-based sample.IntJ Behav Med. 2013;20(4):567-571. doi:10.1007/s12529-012-9272-zArslan C.Interpersonal problem solving, self-compassion and personality traits in university students.Educ Res Reviews. 2015;11(7):474-81. doi:10.5897/ERR2015.2605Walter N, Nikoleizig L, Alfermann D.Effects of self-talk training on competitive anxiety, self-efficacy, volitional skills, and performance: an intervention study with junior sub-elite athletes.Sports (Basel). 2019;7(6):148. doi:10.3390/sports7060148Martins I, Perez Monsalve JP, Velasquez Martinez A.Self-confidence and fear of failure among university students and their relationship with entrepreneurial orientation: Evidence from Colombia.Academia Revista Latinoamericana de Administracion. 2018;31(3):471-85. doi:10.1108/ARLA-01-2018-0018Woodman T, Akehurst S, Hardy L, Beattie S.Self-confidence and performance: A little self-doubt helps.Psychol Sport Exer. 2010;11(6):467-470. doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2010.05.009Tsai CL, Chaichanasakul A, Zhao R, Flores LY, Lopez SJ.Development and validation of the strengths self-efficacy scale (SSES).J Career Assess. 2013;22(2):221-232. doi:10.1177/1069072713493761University of South Florida Counseling Center.What is self-confidence?Höpfner J, Keith N.Goal missed, self hit: Goal-setting, goal-failure, and their affective, motivational, and behavioral consequences.Front Psychol. 2021;12:704790. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.704790Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is healthy weight loss?Hyseni Duraku Z, Hoxha L.Self-esteem, study skills, self-concept, social support, psychological distress, and coping mechanism effects on test anxiety and academic performance.Health Psychol Open. 2018;5(2):2055102918799963. doi:10.1177/2055102918799963

American Psychological Association.Self-confidence.

Perry P.Concept analysis: Confidence/self-confidence.Nurs Forum. 2011;46(4):218-30. doi:10.1111/j.1744-6198.2011.00230.x

Stankov L, Morony S, Lee YP.Confidence: The best non-cognitive predictor of academic achievement?Educat Psychol. 2014;34(1):9-28. doi:10.1080/01443410.2013.814194

Vrabel JK, Zeigler-Hill V, Southard AC.Self-esteem and envy: Is state self-esteem instability associated with the benign and malicious forms of envy?Pers Individ Diff. 2018;123:100-104. doi:10.1016/j.paid.2017.11.001

Rafiei H, Senmar M, Mostafaie M, et al.Self-confidence and attitude of acute care nurses to the presence of family members during resuscitation.British J Nurs. 2018;27(21). doi:10.12968/bjon.2018.27.21.1246

Duke University Personal Assistance Service.Self-care tips for the body & soul.

Zamani Sani SH, Fathirezaie Z, Brand S, et al.Physical activity and self-esteem: Testing direct and indirect relationships associated with psychological and physical mechanisms.Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat. 2016;12:2617–2625. doi:10.2147/NDT.S116811

Lemola S, Räikkönen K, Gomez V, Allemand M.Optimism and self-esteem are related to sleep. Results from a large community-based sample.IntJ Behav Med. 2013;20(4):567-571. doi:10.1007/s12529-012-9272-z

Arslan C.Interpersonal problem solving, self-compassion and personality traits in university students.Educ Res Reviews. 2015;11(7):474-81. doi:10.5897/ERR2015.2605

Walter N, Nikoleizig L, Alfermann D.Effects of self-talk training on competitive anxiety, self-efficacy, volitional skills, and performance: an intervention study with junior sub-elite athletes.Sports (Basel). 2019;7(6):148. doi:10.3390/sports7060148

Martins I, Perez Monsalve JP, Velasquez Martinez A.Self-confidence and fear of failure among university students and their relationship with entrepreneurial orientation: Evidence from Colombia.Academia Revista Latinoamericana de Administracion. 2018;31(3):471-85. doi:10.1108/ARLA-01-2018-0018

Woodman T, Akehurst S, Hardy L, Beattie S.Self-confidence and performance: A little self-doubt helps.Psychol Sport Exer. 2010;11(6):467-470. doi:10.1016/j.psychsport.2010.05.009

Tsai CL, Chaichanasakul A, Zhao R, Flores LY, Lopez SJ.Development and validation of the strengths self-efficacy scale (SSES).J Career Assess. 2013;22(2):221-232. doi:10.1177/1069072713493761

University of South Florida Counseling Center.What is self-confidence?

Höpfner J, Keith N.Goal missed, self hit: Goal-setting, goal-failure, and their affective, motivational, and behavioral consequences.Front Psychol. 2021;12:704790. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2021.704790

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.What is healthy weight loss?

Hyseni Duraku Z, Hoxha L.Self-esteem, study skills, self-concept, social support, psychological distress, and coping mechanism effects on test anxiety and academic performance.Health Psychol Open. 2018;5(2):2055102918799963. doi:10.1177/2055102918799963

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Stop Comparing Yourself to Others#

Surround Yourself With Positive People#

Take Care of Your Body#

Be Kind to Yourself#

Hannah Owens, LMSW#

Practice Positive Self-Talk#

Face Your Fears#

Do Things You’re Good At#

Know When to Say No#

Set Realistic Goals#

Press Play for Advice on Confidence#

Recap#

Keep in Mind#