Born Confident?

Are you born confident or can you learn self-confidence?

I lost count a long time ago of the number of people who ask me the question 'surely you're born with self-confidence?' They're convinced that some people are just lucky because they're 'born' confident. This just isn't true.

This is one of the best confidence tips you'll hear. The first thing to accept about building confidence is that at birth we're all born on a level playing field. We all start together at the same point on the path to self confidence. If you continue to think you're at a disadvantage to confident people because you weren't born confident, then the playing field that used to be level will turn into a steeper and steeper upward climb. So, it's important to come to terms with this and believe it. People with self-confidence aren't born confident.

Confidence is an attitude, a state of mind, that develops. It might be worth taking a few seconds to mull this over. Some people accept it but don't really believe it. If you don't believe it, it will become a convenient excuse. It then becomes a heavy burden that hinders you whenever you find yourself outside your comfort zone.

Now think of confidence as a skill that relates to your attitude and your state of mind. It isn't something concrete or something of substance that you can touch or put your finger on, but it is tangible. Controlling your state of mind, thinking positively and feeling that you can change for the better is one of the first steps on the road to increased self-confidence. Simple things like learning how to use your body language effectively can really help to build your self confidence. 

Remember - you can acquire self confidence at any stage in your life. You can learn how to feel and look more confident as you grow and mature. Everyone can do this. We all have the opportunity to build our self confidence as our lives move on. The key is to treat confidence as a skill. You really CAN learn how to become more confident.

Think back to other skills you've learnt as your life has moved on, for example reading, writing, riding a bike, or driving a car and treat confidence in the same way. 

Hope this helps ... Mike