Written by: Michelle Gauthier, Executive Contributor
Executive Contributors at Brainz Magazine are handpicked and invited to contribute because of their knowledge and valuable insight within their area of expertise.
The pandemic has shaken our world and turned it upside down. The way you used to handle situations doesn't work right now, you may have been let go from a job and there are no concrete answers as to when the last 'reopening' of your city/state or province/country will be. There is a lot of uncertainty.
Working as a confidence coach during the pandemic, I have noticed a trend in my clients. They have shown up lost about the direction of life they want to take, believing they aren't good enough to make their dreams happen, and afraid to be authentic, as fear of judgment and being socially outcast dawns on them.
I designed six tips to boost that confidence in yourself and your abilities to shift, adapt, and thrive.
1. Start your day with gratitude.
Say, write, or think of 3 things you are grateful for. This sets your brain to focus on the good things and sets you up mentally for the day ahead. It also helps you to see the things that are working well in your life, already starting to shift your perspective and mindset.
2. Look at yourself in the mirror and compliment yourself.
Celebrate the beauty and strength within you. If you do not believe there is any beauty or strength at this point in your life, think of the times you have accomplished something. The times you have felt unstoppable. Doing this regularly will bring your focus to the good things about yourself and you will see the strength and beauty. If you are unsure of what to say at first, ask someone you trust about what they see in you and use those examples.
3. Start small.
Pick an area in your life that you would like to improve your confidence in and start small. For example, you are looking for a new job, but you would rather run naked in the snow than to have an interview. Start in a situation or with people you feel comfortable with. These could be friends asking you questions. It could be a video interview because you feel most comfortable in fuzzy pajama pants, and the interviewers won't be able to see your bottoms. Once you start small, you get to slowly push those scenarios. Maybe move to applying for jobs you have no interest in, to practice interviewing with less pressure on how you answer the questions.
4. Switch up your routine.
Confidence comes from doing something repeatedly. The more we do it, the more comfortable and confident we become with it. These changes to your routine can be anything. Putting the other shoe on first, driving a different way to/from work, getting out of bed on the first alarm instead of after hitting snooze three times, and so on. Doing small changes regularly will create confidence in change and get you out of your own head.
5. Reconnect with your heart.
When you decide to take a step into your confidence, there will be many thoughts telling you not to. Where you are currently in life is safe, comfortable, and okay. Take a breath, and connect with the feelings of accomplishing the task. Why do you want to bring confidence to that area in your life? How would that feel? What would you be able to do in your life having that confidence?
6. Give yourself an allotted time to try.
When being met with a new situation, or a confidence-testing situation, give yourself a set time frame to be uncomfortable before you allow yourself to leave that situation. Personally, I choose 5 minutes. This usually comes up for me when it's time to do a workout. I tell myself I only have to do 5 minutes, and if I still do not want to do it after that, I give myself the permission and acceptance to stop. Only once have I actually stopped at that time.
Some of these tips may resonate with you more than the others. You can pick and choose which ones to try, but I suggest trying them all for at least a week to see how they fit with your life and to gain momentum. The best way to confident is to get out of your comfort zone. The easiest way to do that is to do something you've never done o think won't work. Believe in your abilities and be patient with yourself. It is an ongoing process, and the more you engage with it, the more your confidence will improve.
Michelle Gauthier, Executive Contributor Brainz Magazine
Michelle Gauthier, an honors graduate of Psychology and an international life and confidence coach, who writes about fitness, self-love, and boosting confidence. She has overcome a toxic workplace that left her with anxiety, depression, and low self-worth. Michelle is now a thriving founder of Phoenix Coaching, following her passion to teach and coach millennials to regain control of their lives, build their inner power and to live in possibility.
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