Everyone knows that building self confidence and being able to eyeball yourself and see you true value takes time. I'm not knocking all the hard self value work that is out there. That takes time, but sometimes, life is hard and you're feeling BLAH. That's when you need a boost. I'm the queen of boosts. I've got 8 boosts that will help you jump start your day.
When do you need a boost?
- You have to lead an important presentation at work.
- You have a job interview with a stranger.
- You’re going to attend a meeting at which you’re expected to contribute ideas and suggestions.
- You’re going out on a date with someone you really like.
- You’re making a sales pitch to a prospective client.
- You’re going to the bank to ask for a business loan.
- You’re going to compete in a sporting event.
- You’re going to have lunch with your boss to negotiate a raise.
- You're trying something new for the very first time.
This list could go on and on right?
1. Dress the Part
You know that saying, "dress for the part you want." There has got to be something to it or people would stop running their jib about it. There is something confident about wearing and outfit that rocks those sexy heals. Groom up - every one feels better when they fix their hair and put on a little lipstick.
Stand in your closet and think, "What do I own that makes me feel confident and powerful?" Then, wear that. Easy Peezy.
2. Wear the Perfume.
In a study published in the Journal of Cosmetic Sciences, they found that 90% of all women tested as a part of a fragrance study reported feeling more confident they wore perfume than when they did not.
Find a smell you love and wear it when you want to bring your A-Game!
3. Strike a Pose.
Madonna said it best, "Strike a Pose, there's nothing to it." Try to find a stance somewhere between Captain Marvel and one of the Charlie's Angels of your choice - they were all great.
Harvard psychologist ,Amy Cuddy, in a TED Talk she gave in 2012, explains that studies show that power poses increase confidence and make you feel more powerful. Here’s what to do:
- Stand up straight;
- Push your shoulders back;
- Widen your stance;
- Hold your head high; and
- Raise your arms up in a “V” shape.
If even thinking about standing with your arms in a "V" shape at work starts to give you hives, maybe try a Wonder Woman hands on the hips approach. Make it your own, it's your pose to strike.
4. Be All about that Bass.
Can you believe that there is a study on how listening to music with high levels of Bass can boost your confidence? There is! A study from Northwestern University shows that bass-heavy music can make you feel more confident.
Study participants were divided into two groups. Researchers played music with high-levels of bass for half the participants, while the other half listened to low-bass music. While they listened to the music, both groups were administered a series of tests involving filling in the blanks and rolling dice.
Researchers found that the group that listened to the high-bass music was more likely to fill in the blanks with power-related words. They also preferred to take charge of the dice rolling instead of letting someone else do it. Even after the music stopped, the high-bass music participants continued to act in a more powerful and authoritative way than the other students.
So add some high bass jams to your play list. Not sure where to start? Try these:
- "Papercut" – Linkin Park
- "Titanium" – David Guetta
- "Radioactive" – Imagine Dragons
- "Can't Hold Us" – Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
- "Yeah" – Usher
- "Boom Boom Pow" – Black Eyed Peas
5. Do it Again and Again.
A routine brings a level of comfort that when followed helps boost your confidence. A quiet morning routine helps set you day. A routine can be as simple as mine:
Every morning, I'm the first to rise. And I sit in my pajamas a the breakfast table with a 12 ounce cup of strong dark coffee and go over my day. I make my grand plans, battle over what is realistic to accomplish and give myself a pep talk about taking over the world.
Maybe yours is reading the paper or watering the garden or getting your work out in. Having a routine is all that matters, what's in it is up to you.
6. Think and Say the Good Thoughts.
No one should cheer more for YOU than YOU. When you're getting dressed and you think, "I look great in these jeans!" Don't just think it - say it to yourself. And if anyone is listening, who cares, because YOU look GREAT in those jeans.
Don't stop there - say things like:
"Today is going to be a great day"
"You are going to crush your sales goal today"
"Everyone wants to buy what you are selling"
"You are going to scratch everything off your to do list today"
It's your list - make it count and change it up as needed.
7. Wear your Lucky Socks.
Having lucky things are a psychological confidence booster that we've been using since we were kids! The lucky rabbits foot, the lucky socks, the lucky underwear, or the lucky four leaf clover. The idea of superstition and the good luck associated with it can activate the performance enhancing magic that you've enjoyed all your life.
Whatever your lucky charm is, tote it around with you when you need an extra boost of confidence every time.
8. Be kind.
Be kind and be generous. Oh, I know it sounds corny but it works every time. Being kind to others, and generous with yourself and your time, talents and what you have, is a huge way to boost your confidence. When you try to live by the golden rule (Do onto others as you'd like to have done to you) and you start to feel good about yourself, and you start to think that you are a good person. Feeling good and doing good does wonders for your self-confidence. Try it and see.
How about you?
Do you have a GREAT quick confidence booster? Share it with the group below. We're always looking for a few new tricks to have up our sleeves.
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