Growing up, I was always known as the shy kid who would never speak up or express themselves. As a result, I lacked the confidence to engage in social activities and was often anxious about meeting new people. It wasn’t until I hit my teenage years that I realized I needed to work on my confidence if I wanted to make the most out of life. Over the years, I have learned several tips that have helped me gain the confidence I never thought I had. In this article, I will share with you 8 tips that you can use to help you gain confidence.

1. Know Your Strengths

One of the most significant contributors to low confidence is not knowing what you are good at. We all have unique abilities and skills that we bring to the table, but we often overlook them because we are too focused on our weaknesses. Taking time to identify your strengths can help you feel more confident in yourself and your abilities.

According to Marcus Buckingham and Donald Clifton in their book “Now, Discover Your Strengths,” “People who have the opportunity to focus on their strengths every day are more likely to experience positive emotions, have better health, and achieve their goals.” Therefore, take some time to identify your strengths and focus on them.

2. Set Realistic Goals

Setting achievable goals can be a great way to build confidence. When you set a goal and achieve it, it gives you a sense of accomplishment and can increase your confidence. However, it is essential to set realistic goals that you can achieve. Setting goals that are too high can leave you feeling discouraged and can hurt your confidence.

As Brian Tracy says in his book “Goals!: How to Get Everything You Want–Faster Than You Ever Thought Possible,” “The more you practice setting and achieving goals, the greater your self-confidence will become.” Therefore, start small and work your way up to more significant goals.

3. Practice Self-Care

Taking care of yourself is essential for building confidence. When you feel good about yourself, it shows, and others will notice. Practicing self-care can involve many things, such as eating well, exercising, and getting enough sleep.

As Brené Brown says in her book “The Gifts of Imperfection,” “Owning our story and loving ourselves through that process is the bravest thing that we’ll ever do.” Therefore, take some time to practice self-care and love yourself.

4. Stop Comparing Yourself to Others

One of the biggest confidence killers is comparing yourself to others. When you compare yourself to others, you are putting yourself at a disadvantage because you are only seeing the best version of someone else. Remember, everyone has their own journey, and you should focus on yours.

As Steven Furtick says in his book “Crash the Chatterbox: Hearing God’s Voice Above All Others,” “Don’t compare your beginning to someone else’s middle.” Therefore, focus on your journey and do not compare yourself to others.

5. Step Out of Your Comfort Zone

Stepping out of your comfort zone can be scary, but it can also be rewarding. When you step out of your comfort zone, you are pushing yourself to grow and learn. This can help build confidence in yourself and your abilities.

As Mel Robbins says in her book “The 5 Second Rule: Transform Your Life, Work, and Confidence with Everyday Courage,” “The key to building confidence is to step outside your comfort zone and do things that scare you.” Therefore, take a chance and step out of your comfort zone.