Your Good Qualities

Your Good Qualities

Self-confident people recognize their skills. Some people avoid this, thinking they'll become egotists, but you don't have to brag in order to pat yourself on the back. Even the most humble person takes time to appreciate what he has to offer the rest of the world.

If you cannot think of one good thing about yourself, Journaling can be quite effective. Logging your activity from day to day will eventually demonstrate a trait you have, or a skill you use, to positively affect yourself and those around you.

In Sight, In Mind

"Out of sight, Out of mind" is a powerful concept, and thankfully for you, the reverse is true. In life, you can't see from the outside so are the results of our actions are the only things we have to go by. Putting proof in front of your eyes is a simple reinforcement that gets you used to feeling good about yourself.

Look in the mirror. What's the first good thing you notice about your face? Say to yourself, "I really Like My _____." You don't have to write a poem about it, or publish a notice in the paper. No one else has to agree. This isn't about what other people feel is important, remember? Just you.

Likewise, when you do something good during the day, be sure to write it down somewhere. Even if it is on an old envelope or post-it note, seeing it in print will reinforce it in your mind.

Redo your resume. Writing a resume can be a gut-wrenching experience for those with low self-confidence. They look at their paper and see so much white space. In order to land a better paying or more prestigious job, you're going to have to examine your work history and note your major accomplishments. Laying them out in front of you makes for a powerful ego boost.

Talk to Your Friends

It's embarrassing to think of telling your friends you're working on your self-confidence. Depending on who they are, they might even tease you about it. That's okay. You don't need to come out and say it that way to get their opinion of you. All you need to do is talk through your favorite memories with them, and they'll remind you of a hundred things you've already forgotten.

Remember the time we picked up that hitchhiker and drove him all the way to Duluth? Remember when you stood up on top of the water tower ... and threw up?

Not all memories will be positive, for sure, but they will raise your spirits and show you an outside view of your abilities.

Write Your Life History

Just as a day-to-day account helps you pick up on abilities, a retelling of your life helps you pinpoint major accomplishments. It's amazing what people forget. While you remember what's happened through the years, you may see you've done a lot more than you give yourself credit for.

You might also decide there are things you'd like to do, but don't move on to planning them out just yet. First take time to celebrate the things you have done - making it to the sky-deck at the Sears Tower, hitchhiking home from Rhode Island, fixing your first flat. Everything we do takes some kind of skill. Make sure to honor yours, and utilize them when planning out future events.

It's human nature to see at least one thing good in yourself. We all know it, so go ahead and admit what's great about you! Self-confidence will help you improve your life in ways you enjoy. It helps you live this one life you have to live. Don't rob yourself of the chance by avoiding the inevitable. Admit you're someone to be proud of who can make the progress to achieve what you want. Using your abilities, and focusing on baby steps, anything is possible!