How to Have Self-Confidence

Self-confidence can drastically change quality of life. So don't waste anytime hiding in the shadows!

Instructions

1. Think about what makes you unique and special. What is important to you? Think about people you care most about, activities you enjoy doing, goals for the future. What topics do you enjoy discussing? For people to find you interesting, you must figure out what makes you unique.

2. As with anything, practice makes perfect! To start, go somewhere that you will be in a social situation wbut won't run into anyone you know. You will feel less inhibited knowing that no one you know has to know anything you do.

3. Initiate conversations with other. Get used to striking up conversations. Almost anything can be a conversation starter. Compliments work well since, well, who doesn't like to be complimented? Just make sure you are sincere. Another good conversation starter is to point our something you have in common. Of course you don't know the person yet, so things you have in common can include waiting in the same long line, ordering the same drink, etc.

4. Once you are making small talk with someone, segue into something with a little more substance. Try and find something you have in common with the other person and develop that topic. Ask open-ended questions like "What do you think about..."

5. If you need help turning on the self-confidence, pretend you are someone else. Think of someone you admire and pretend you are them around new people. Even if you are terrified on the inside, no one will know if you seem confident on the outside. Self-confidence will become natural very quickly once you realize what you are capable of.

6. Participate in activities you might be afraid to. Have you always wanted to play tennis? Join a tennis league. Interested in politics? Volunteer for a political campaign or take a political science class. Whatever you choose, stick with it. You may feel uncomfortable in the beginning, but if you stick with your activity, you will become comfortable and realize you can do anything!

7. Stand up straight and keep a smile on your face. It will make you more approachable, and will even make you feel better.

8. Remember to be true to yourself. Having opinions, even if they are different from the person you are talking to, make you interesting. Plus, if you can't be yourself around someone, you probably won't want to spend much time with them.

9. Keep "practicing" self-confidence--eventually it will just come naturally!