5 Ways to Build Confidence and Boost Self-Esteem

Confidence is one of those things in life that seems easy to master until you’re expected to master it. We’ve all been there—one day you’re nailing it at work, and the next you are doubting every single decision that you take. 

The truth is that confidence isn’t a state of mind you are born with. It’s a skill that you can learn and can get better at—all you need is the right approach. Here are five ways you can boost your confidence and self-esteem right now. 

1. Don’t discount your success. 

The promotion you got? It didn’t just fall into your lap. The client you wowed? They were only wowed because you prepared for that opportunity. It’s easy to become a victim of imposter syndrome at one point or another, that nagging feeling that you’re a fraud and everyone around is in on the joke. Remember that you are the creator of your own results, even when it’s not always crystal clear how you got there. Claim your success; it’s yours. 

2. Remind yourself of your value outside of work. 

It is important to note that your value as a person is not contingent on your last quarterly report or how many accomplishments you have listed on your LinkedIn profile. Professional success is important, of course, but it isn’t the whole picture. The people who truly matter in your life (family, close friends, and mentors) will see you beyond your productivity as a human being. Surround yourself with people who love you for who you are, not just for what you do. They will remind you of what you truly deserve. 

3. Dress the part. 

I’m not saying that you should put on a suit you feel uncomfortable in just because “that’s professional.” What I’m saying is that you should choose the clothes that you will wear for the day with intent and purpose. Your confidence will instantly increase if you feel good in what you’re wearing, whether that’s a sleek black blazer or your softest grey dress. The key here is to be yourself and wear what makes you feel like the best version of yourself, not what you think the office expects. 

4. Stop negative self-talk. 

The voice in your head is probably much harsher than it needs to be. Criticizing yourself is healthy to a certain extent. It allows you to review your mistakes and learn from them. However, this is very different from hating on yourself. The next time you find yourself going down the “I’m never going to be good at this” rabbit hole, pause. Then ask yourself: What would be a more constructive way to phrase this? “I failed at that presentation” can easily become “Next time, I know what not to do.” This is not toxic positivity; this is using the critical energy within you to rally your self-esteem and confidence.

5. Step out of your comfort zone. 

Comfort zones are the enemy of confidence. When you’re doing the same thing over and over again, it’s easy to feel like you’re going nowhere and lose faith in your abilities. The cure for that is to find new challenges to set for yourself. Take that daunting project, learn a new skill, and have that hard conversation you’ve been avoiding for weeks. The more you push yourself to succeed in the unknown, the more you are building a file of evidence that yes, you are capable of succeeding. 

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