“Building Confidence: 7 Strategies to Overcome Self-Doubt in Today’s Society”

In today’s society, confidence is in short supply. Many individuals underestimate their abilities and spend too much time worrying about what others think of them. Interestingly, self-esteem tends to be at its lowest when individuals have achieved very little in a certain category and when they have had high achievements. This tells us two things: most people deserve to have a higher self-esteem than what they currently feel, and self-esteem and confidence are subjective and can be shifted by changing one’s mindset.

Since mindset is the key factor driving confidence and self-esteem, there are seven crucial strategies individuals can learn to boost their confidence levels.

1. Meditation

Meditation is a long-standing tradition in Asian countries such as Japan and China, but it has recently gained popularity in Western countries. Many high-level CEOs, business leaders, and athletes have reaped the benefits of meditation, and so can individuals. Meditation helps reduce anxiety levels, increases productivity, and improves memory. This clarity in the mind helps individuals make better decisions, feel less stress during the day, and boost their confidence.

2. Public Speaking

Many individuals say that the fear of public speaking is bigger than the fear of death. This is because, for millions of years, humans roamed in groups in order to fend off life-threatening risks, such as large predators and starvation. As a result, anything threatening one’s inclusion in a group seems very risky. When individuals understand this human desire, they can use it to their advantage and work on public speaking skills. Recording videos, talking about a topic of interest, and uploading it publicly is a great place to start. Attending a local Toastmasters meet up can also help individuals improve their public speaking skills in a supportive environment.

3. Growth Mindset

Individuals with a fixed mindset seek success as affirmation for intelligence, whereas individuals with a growth mindset thrive on challenges and see failures as catalysts for growth and stretching beyond their existing abilities. While obstacles may lead to lower self-esteem or confidence for someone with a fixed mindset, it only fuels a person with a growth mindset.

4. Foreign Language

Learning another language is no walk in the park, which is why it is so rewarding when progress is made. Most individuals are limited to speaking only one language, which limits the amount of cultural experiences, career opportunities, and relationships they can build. The simple act of committing to learning a new language can be a game-changer in terms of building confidence because individuals set out to take on a form of communication that few around them have the ability to understand.

5. Starting a Business

Creating a business from scratch is like having a baby, and as the business grows, individuals must delegate tasks to others. These people depend on the founder for putting food on their family’s tables and paying their bills every single month. Despite the pressure, starting a business is one of the most fulfilling things an individual can do. Focusing on serving something or someone beyond oneself can make what others think less of a priority.

6. Selling

Many individuals cringe at the thought of selling, associating it with sleaze and dirtiness. However, all individuals could benefit from sales skills, as they train individuals to look at the world from another’s perspective. When individuals are focusing on the other person rather than themselves, their self-consciousness diminishes.

7. Weight Lifting

Weight lifting is a traditional way to build confidence. In addition to the obvious physical benefits, weight lifting heavily contributes to mental health by improving blood circulation, which in turn increases energy levels and overall happiness. Studies have also shown weight lifting to improve cognitive functions, such as attention, memory, and decision-making.

In conclusion, building confidence consists of seven crucial strategies: meditation, public speaking, growth mindset, foreign language, starting a business, selling, and weight lifting. Each strategy provides individuals with unique challenges and opportunities to learn and grow. Trying one or all of these strategies can help individuals overcome self-doubt and develop the confidence they need to succeed in today’s society.