Dawn and I recently filmed a 1 hour video on Neworld Web about Confidence.  The article below is an overview of that show.  Click Here to view the video!

How to Create CONFIDENCE
in Yourself and Others

“You yourself, as much as anybody in the entire universe, deserve your love & affection.”
~ Buddha

Definition  con•fi•dence  (knf-dns)
n. Trust or faith in a person or thing.

Self-confidence is the difference between feeling unstoppable and feeling scared out of your wits.  Your perception of yourself has an enormous impact on how others perceive you.

You must begin at the beginning and learn to be comfortable with yourself and who you are.

Recognize Your Insecurities

• What does that little voice in the back of your mind say?
• What makes you uncomfortable or ashamed of yourself?  (past mistakes, regrets, or negative experiences)
• Discover whatever  is making you feel unworthy, ashamed, or inferior.
• Identify it and write it down!  Some studies suggest that you tear up the written papers in order to start new!

Bounce Back From Mistakes

• Remember that no one is perfect.
• Learn
• Gain Experience
• Become Stronger
• Increase Possibilities of Success

Identify your Successes

• Everyone is good at something!
• Focus on your talents and take pride in them!
• Give yourself credit for your successes.
• Remember… Inferiority is a state of mind in which you’ve declared yourself a victim.
• Express yourself!

Be Thankful

• Sometimes… the root of insecurity and lack of confidence is a feeling of not having enough of something (emotional validation, good luck, money, etc.)
• By acknowledging and appreciating what you do have, you can combat the feeling of being incomplete and unsatisfied.
• Finding that inner peace will do wonders for your confidence.

Be Positive

• Avoid self-pity, or the pity and sympathy of others.
• Never allow others to make you feel inferior.
• Speak positively about yourself.

“A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”
     ~Winston Churchill

Accept Compliments Gracefully

• Don’t roll your eyes and say, “Yeah, right,” or shrug it off.
• Take it to heart and respond positively.
• Stick To Your Principles
• If you don’t stand for something, you will fall for anything.

Help Others

• When you know you’re kind to the people around you… You will be a positive force!
• Positive attitude = confidence!

Avoid Perfectionism

• Perfectionism paralyzes you and keeps you from accomplishing your goals.
• It can crush self confidence!

Once You Are Comfortable With WHO You Are…

13 Ways to Build YOUR Self Confidence
Use the following strategies to boost your confidence and give you the mental edge to reach your goals!

     1 – Dress Sharp!

Although clothes don’t make the man, they certainly affect the way he feels about himself!  No one is more conscious of your physical appearance than you are. When you look good, it changes the way you carry yourself and interact with other people.

This doesn’t mean you need to spend a lot of money on clothes. Select high quality items because expensive clothes wear out less easily and stay in style longer!

     2 – Walk Faster

One of the easiest ways to tell how a person feels about themselves is to look at the way in which they walk.  Confident people walk quickly and with purpose.  Even if you aren’t in a hurry, you can increase your self confidence by putting some pep in your step.

Walking 25% faster will make to you look and feel more important.  It will make you healthier too!

     3 – Good Posture

People with slumped shoulders and lethargic movements display a lack of self confidence.  They appear unenthusiastic about what they’re doing and they don’t consider themselves important.  Stand up straight, keep your head up, and make eye contact.  You’ll make a positive impression on others and instantly feel more alert and empowered.

     4 – Have an amazing 30 Second Verbal Commercial (Click Here)

When you have a well written commercial you will always be prepared and ready to professionally explain exactly what you do with confidence!

     5 – Compliment Often

When we think negatively about ourselves, we often project that feeling on to others in the form of insults and gossip.  To break this cycle… get in the habit of praising other people.  Refuse to engage in backstabbing or gossip. By looking for the best in others, you indirectly bring out the best in yourself.

     6 – Sit in the front Row!

In schools, offices, and public assemblies around the world, people constantly strive to sit at the back of the room. Most people prefer the back because they’re afraid of being noticed (a lack of self confidence).
The important and most confident of people always sit at the front!

     7 – Speak Up

During group discussions many people do not speak up because they’re afraid that people will judge them for saying something stupid. This fear isn’t really justified. Generally, people are much more accepting than we think. In fact most people feel the same way.

By making an effort to speak up at least once in every group discussion, you’ll become a better public speaker, more confident in your own thoughts, and recognized as a leader by your peers.

     8 – Work Out

Along the same lines as personal appearance, physical fitness has a huge effect on self confidence. If you’re out of shape, you’ll feel insecure, unattractive, and less energetic. By working out, you improve your physical appearance, energize yourself, and accomplish something positive.

Having the discipline to work out not only makes you feel better, it creates positive momentum that you can build on your basic outlook of life.

     9 – Be Present

This will help you snap out of over thinking and just go and do whatever you want to get done. Pay attention to everything that is going on around you.  One of the simplest ways to connect with the present moment is just to keep your focus on your breathing for a minute or two.

     10 – Take Action

Just do it!  You cannot see the end of the road until you walk along the path a little!  Lighten up and don’t take everything seriously.  Get out of your head and learn to laugh at yourself

      11 – Face Your Fears

“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face.

You are able to say to yourself, ‘I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.’

You must do the thing you think you cannot do.”
    ~Eleanor Roosevelt

     12 – Prepare Yourself

When you know nothing of what you are about to do it’s very easy to get lost in vague, foggy fear and start building big horror scenarios in your mind of what may happen if you give it a try.  Preparing yourself and educating yourself can be a big help.  Do your research!

     13 – Set Personal Goals

When you have a plan of action and goals to reach… The future seems far less uncertain and frightening.

People will FEEL your Confidence if you…

• Ask questions of any kind. People greatly admire those who show no fear of learning.
• Hold your head up high and make eye contact
• Have a firm handshake… but not too firm!
• Speak clearly. Think before you speak!
• Smile.
  
• Laugh at yourself. Always have fun.
• Be honest.
• “Be as you wish to seem” Acting in a confident way will make you appear confident

Tips:

• Don’t try to impress people. The harder you try… the more unimpressed they’ll become. Nobody admires the kiss-up.
• Remember, even if you do not feel confident… Fake it until you make it.
• Stop “caring” what others think.
• Don’t worry if others are jealous of you… it means that your actions are working!
• Don’t be a loner.  Join groups and participate!
• Keep up with your self-mastery
• Live life to the fullest… no matter what “others” say!
• Ask yourself… “Will this really matter in a year from now?”

8 Ways To Build Trust And Confidence
Use these strategies to BUILD your BUSINESS by building CONFIDENCE in YOU!

“The #1 reason that people buy from you is that they feel TRUST and CONFIDENCE in your business!”
~Michael Fletcher

     1 – Be Warm & Personable!

     2 – Be Truthful Always

     3 – Send Clear Messaging

     4 – Offer a Guarantee

     5 – Accept Feedback!

     6 – Pay Your Bills

     7 – Keep Your Word

     8 – Use 3rd Party Endorsements

And remember…

The world doesn’t revolve around you and people really don’t care that much about what you do.

Perhaps a disappointing thought… but a liberating one that allows you to let go of the worry that everyone is watching you.

As always… my office door is open and if YOU want to chat about your business just send me a note. Click Here

~Michael