Everyone has times in their life when they feel inadequate and incompetent, but some of us feel that way more often than others. Many people are so busy putting themselves down they fail to thrive in life. They stop trying to learn and better themselves. They become discouraged and depressed. Do you feel like you may be one of these people?

Maybe your self-doubt stems from some negative experiences early in your life. For example, if people made fun of you when you were a child, you might doubt your abilities even today.

Overcome your fears by trusting yourself and the Universe to lead you in the right direction.

Traumatic experiences can cause a vicious cycle of self-doubt in your mind.

Parents, teachers, and other children can sometimes unwittingly say things that have a powerful impact for both good and bad. So, how do you turn things around and stop that nagging voice in your head that says you’ll never be good enough?

Here are some tactics to help you erase that doubt and become more confident:

Let Go of Negative Criticism of Yourself

This applies to both past and present. Don’t let a jerk of a boss ruin your day by simply adding his voice to the tape player in your head. Realize that he may be taking his anger out on someone else because of his own inadequacies. People’s negative attitudes speak volumes about them, not about you!

>>>Stifle your tendency to criticize yourself. By agreeing with those who criticize you, you’re giving them all the power.
>>>Pay no attention to that voice in your head that’s saying you’re going to fail. If you stop listening, it will get quieter and eventually disappear.
>>>Reclaim your life by believing that you CAN succeed.
>>>Surround yourself with supportive people who believe in you.

Prepare Yourself and Do Your Best

It’s not enough just to think positively; you have to actively pursue success as well. Visualizing your end goal can help you make the right choices, but no one can do the work except you. One way to overcome self-doubt is to write down your positive qualities.

>>>Make a list of at least 5 good things about you. Every day when you wake up read the list. Reading aloud will also help you to believe the items you’ve listed.

The positive thinking will help prepare your mind to succeed, but there are other ways you can help yourself achieve your goals as well:

>>>Set reasonable goals. Decide what you want to do within a set amount of time. Keep your goals realistic so you can meet them. If you set unrealistic goals that you can’t meet, you’ll quickly become discouraged.  Start out small and get bigger with your dreams.
>>>Get busy. Inactive people easily become depressed. To avoid this unpleasant situation, immerse yourself in achieving your goals. Hard work will always pay off in the end.
>>>Revel in your success. Self-doubters tend to think they don’t deserve to succeed. But you do! You deserve a reward for conquering your self-doubt and becoming more confident. You deserve to be honored for your hard work and perseverance.  Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

Just remember you can’t reach the top of a mountain in one giant leap; it takes many steps along the way to reach the peak in due time. The same is true of success and achieving your goals.

Taking baby steps and attaining many small successes will bring you the confidence to reach your dreams. In the meantime, sit back and enjoy the journey to becoming the self-assured person you know you can be. It’s a wild ride, but it’s well worth it in the end.

Whether you’re at work or just facing a bad day at home, there are many things you can do to make sure you’re back in the saddle and feeling more confident about life. One of the best ways to regain your self-confidence is to give yourself a little pep talk.

Positive self-talk boosts your self-confidence.

The idea of positive self-talk, or positive thinking, is something many coaches and counselors suggest to their clients and nearly everyone can benefit from it. Have you ever been in a situation where you think a little bit of positive reinforcement could make things a lot easier? Don’t wait for someone else to lift your spirits; take a moment and realize you can easily do it yourself!

Be Proactive and Gain Confidence
Having negative thoughts, even about a single project at work, can often impact your entire outlook on life. You may begin to believe that you’re in a trap of bad luck or that things will never get better, but in reality, the only way for things to get better is to make positive changes and that takes both action and self-confidence.

What Makes You Special?
Another way to lift your spirits and give yourself a confidence boost is to remind yourself of your accomplishments, both at home and at work.

When faced with a difficult situation that leaves negative feelings, step away for a few minutes and take some deep breaths. Think about a resolution to the problem, come up with a smart action plan, then return to propose your plan. Removing yourself from the situation will help minimize those negative feelings while allowing you to gain some perspective.

Did a client praise your work? Have you been promoted? Do co-workers come to you for advice? Do friends marvel at your decorating flair? Each person is so much more complex than what’s visible on the outside. Allow yourself to delve deeper into your soul and treasure what makes you unique.

Do you love to cook? Have you traveled extensively? Do you play an instrument? Do you play competition sports? These are all accomplishments you should be proud of because you took the time to develop these different facets of your life.

Rediscover your personal strengths or hobbies that make you proud and happy.

Think about the journey you took to reach those accomplishments. If something was too easy, you may place less importance on the final outcome, but when you are able to face and overcome serious challenges, it makes you a stronger and more determined person.

How Do I Use Positive Self-Talk?
The term positive self-talk might scare some people away, thinking it involves talking to yourself out loud. Although you may choose to say positive affirmations out loud, it’s enough to just think positively about your accomplishments and what makes you special.

If you’re having trouble thinking about your strengths, sit down in a quiet spot and make a list of everything that makes you unique. Taking some extra time to write these things down will help reinforce them in your mind.

Once the list is written, post it in a place where you’ll see it everyday. Starting your day positively will make the small nuisances disappear.

If necessary, make copies of these lists so you can take one with you. Anytime you feel down or upset, take out your list and read it. You are a fabulous person and this list proves it!

This list isn’t written in stone; it should be a continuously changing list, just as we continuously change ourselves. So be sure to constantly add to your list as you achieve more accomplishments!

Everyone Can Benefit From Positive Thinking
As you build your self-confidence with positive self-talk, you might feel silly at first but you’ll still benefit from the experience. Whenever you feel overwhelmed, stop and give yourself a little pep talk. Reassure yourself that you’re strong, that you can get through anything, and that success is within your grasp.

Remembering that everyone goes through ups and downs in life will help you face the day more positively.

Thoughts and feelings are what make us human. Everyone experiences negative emotions, but if these negative feelings seem to cling to you everyday, then finding ways to dissolve that negative energy can be empowering.

Your life is yours to control so don’t wait for others to help. Positive thinking and positive self-talk can help you come out of the darkness and into the light.

Image credit: Flickr / Geekr.

Do you feel as though you’re in a rut? Does nothing feel engaging or entertaining? When you want to make sure you’re still in the right direction and you don’t want to settle for a mundane life, you’ll discover that you need to start challenging yourself.

When you take on a challenge head first, you’re forcing yourself to grow. When your self-esteem needs a boost, challenging yourself can help you see yourself in a new light.

Overcoming challenges is mainly overcoming your own fear.

What Kind of Challenges Should I Pursue?
No matter what type of challenge you undertake, don’t assume you’re going to get started on it “sometime soon.” Think about what steps you need to take to get there today. Whether it involves making some phone calls or getting some certifications, make some time to get it done as soon as possible.

• If you have the desire to start a new career, call a career counselor for guidance or the local university for class schedules.

• If you challenge yourself to achieve better health, call a nutritionist or the local gym for rates and advice.

• If you always wanted to learn how to play a musical instrument, call the music store to inquire about lessons or rental fees.

Don’t delay when something is this important, but remember that moving slowly is much better than not moving at all. When you want to make sure you’re achieving the results that you deserve, you’ll discover that choosing to move at all is a big step.

Practice Setting Goals and Holding Yourself Accountable
Another way you can start conquering small challenges is by setting some achievable goals. For instance, say you want to improve your writing skills. Then set yourself a goal to write at least a paragraph a day. It’s a simple, realistic goal that will help you improve your skills.

It’s very likely that you will become more productive when you have a limited amount of time to accomplish your simple challenge. So if you only have 15 minutes to concentrate on your challenge, then make the best use of it and simply focus your energy on making it the most productive 15 minutes of your day.

Measure Your Progress Regularly
In order to build your self-esteem, you regularly need to see how far you’ve come. Make sure you keep track of your progress on a regular basis.

• Keep a diary that lists all you’ve accomplished in the day.

• Keep a list of all books you read last month.

• Keep a weight journal to track how many pounds you’ve lost.

Over time, you’ll find that this is a great way to keep yourself moving forward. Looking at past progress is a great way to replicate your success, so keep note of how far you’ve come.

Keeping a diary can help you achieve your goals faster.

The Power of Numbers
If you’re struggling to challenge yourself, remember that you can get someone else to work with you. Do you have any goals that you and your loved ones share? If so, take some time and see if you can encourage each other. This encouragement will help to build your self-esteem because you’ll see progress toward your goal.

We must always strive for constant self-improvement. In doing so, we’ll see just how capable and competent we really are!

Flickr image credits: alexic13, incurable_hippie.

A lack of confidence can affect every area of your life, from your job performance to your personal relationships. In reality, how you perceive yourself has a powerful impact on how others treat you.

Some factors in bolstering self-confidence may be beyond your control, but there are some very tangible things that you can do as well. Using these tips will help you reach your full potential as a successful and confident person.

1.    Dress confidently.
Dress like the person you want to be and you’ll feel yourself become that person. When you look good, you’ll feel good. Now, this doesn’t mean that you have to go out and spend a fortune on clothes. It’s better to buy a few really nice pieces than a bunch of cheap ones.

Seeing the best in others will bring out the best in you.

2.    Walk faster.
People who walk confidently keep a brisk pace because they have things to do and places to be. Simply quickening your step will help you feel more confident.

When you have self-confidence you can achieve amazing things.

3.    Keep good posture.
People can tell a lot about you by the way you carry yourself. If you have slumped shoulders and cannot look people in the eye, you’ll leave a negative impression on them. Keep your head up, make eye contact with others, and stand up straight and tall. You have nothing to hide.

4.    Be grateful.
Gratitude creates a state of peace in the body. A peaceful mind radiates confidence. Make a list of the things you appreciate about yourself and be grateful for your past successes. Tell those you love how much you appreciate them being in your life.

5.    Compliment others.
In addition to showing appreciation for what you have, it’s also important to show others your appreciation. If you think negatively about yourself, then you’ll have a tendency to criticize others. Break this habit by praising others on a daily basis.

6.    Give back.
Contributing to the success of others will not only help you feel better about yourself, but karma will reward you in the end. What goes around comes around, right? Volunteer your time to help those in need or make a monetary contribution to your favorite local charity.

7.    Speak up.
Many people keep quiet for fear of saying something silly. Taking an active role in discussions will distinguish you as a leader amongst your peers. They will quickly recognize that you have confidence and plenty to offer.

The more self-confidence you build in yourself, the more likely you’ll be to succeed. No matter what task you choose to conquer, you’ll do so with enthusiasm. Any setbacks you encounter won’t bother you because you’ll have the confidence necessary to continue.

8.    Exercise regularly.
If you work hard to create a better physical image, you’ll not only be healthier, but you’ll also have more energy. Both of these things will contribute to your self-confidence, as will the compliments you’ll receive.

9.    Sit in the front row.
Most of us have a tendency to try to blend into the back of the room somewhere. We don’t like being noticed. Confident people sit up front where they can take part in discussions without fear.

10.    Take a chance and try something new.
Learning a new hobby or activity will broaden your horizons and help you feel “alive.” Anytime you spend stretching your mind improves your overall self-confidence.

Those who are insecure often find life to be a struggle, but with self-confidence, you can find it to be a joy. Why suffer when you can soar!

Photo credit: Flickr / calwhiz