The Next Level: Taking Your Self-Confidence Journey Further
Follow-up that is guaranteed to boost your success in building self-confidence.
Introduction
In a previous article, I detailed tips to help you develop self-confidence. Here I’d like to continue that thought and provide concrete steps to ensure your success.
This article will deal with managing negative emotions that arise while building confidence, how to effectively track your progress, and how to build on success.
Managing negative emotions
Doubt, fear, or even anxiety are natural during the process, but you mustn’t let them hinder your development.
Instead, you should process these emotions and manage them in a healthy way.
Like there is no universal way to determine your limits, there is no “one-size-fits-all” for tackling negative emotions. But here are some tips that you may find helpful when navigating fear and self-doubt:
1. Never trust your negative thoughts.
Negative thinking patterns are a habit. If you’ve been telling yourself for years that you’re not good enough, it does not mean this is the truth.
Instead, you’ve fallen subject to your destructive mental habits. And bad habits can be broken.
A great way to reverse this bad habit is by replacing negative self-talk with positive affirmations. Whenever you’re talking bad about yourself, counter it with a positive affirmation.
“I am not good enough” becomes “I am trying my best,” or “I am enough.” “I am stupid” transforms into “I am learning.” “I am behind;” “I am growing at my own pace.”
Never underestimate the power of positive self-talk. It is a vital part of building self-confidence and tearing down limiting beliefs.
2. Kill comparison.
Someone is always wealthier or stronger or better at something than you. And that’s a fact.
But why compare yourself to that?
Yes, they may have more success than you, but they worked hard to get there. All you see is the result, not the process.
Additionally, your worth is not defined by others. Just because they’re further along doesn’t mean you’re behind. You are simply growing at your own pace, which is successful in its own right.
So, don’t worry that you’re not developing confidence and success as fast as others.
Be so focused on growing yourself that you don’t notice that others may be ahead of you. You’ll witness your growth and be encouraged, boosting your confidence.
3. Journal about it.
Journaling is a method of self-discovery. It is excellent for recognizing patterns in your life and your reactions.
That said, journaling is also a great way to discover your triggers to negative emotions and solutions that work for you.
Because as I said, there is no “one-size-fits-all;” how you tackle negative emotions is unique to you.
To find your “negativity triggers,” try these prompts:
- When do I find myself engaging in negative self-talk?
- What are the limiting beliefs I hold about myself?
- When do I compare myself to others? Why?
- What makes me belittle my accomplishments?
Now, to find ways to counteract this negativity, use these:
- What positive affirmations can I use to reverse my negative self-talk and limiting beliefs?
- What makes me feel good about myself?
- How am I unique?
- What have I accomplished in this life? Does this make me proud?
Your personal development journey is unique. A method that works for someone else may not work for you, making self-discovery journal prompts critical.
By overcoming fear, doubt, and anxiety by exiting your comfort zone, you will be able to fully enjoy the process of building self-confidence.
Tracking progress
As you advance on your journey to building self-confidence, you’ll find that tracking your progress is vital for several reasons.
First, tracking your accomplishments shows you that you are making progress. This boosts your motivation and revives your desire to succeed. It also builds confidence by demonstrating that you can do whatever you desire.
It also lets you see how close you are to obtaining your goal. Seeing how far you’ve come, you’ll realize you’re not too far from your destination.
And lastly, tracking your progress keeps you focused on the end goal. In this case, your goal is building self-confidence. By recording what you’ve done to take you closer to this goal, you constantly remind yourself why you’re doing these things.
So how can you effectively track your progress?
Try writing down your milestones before you begin and setting feasible deadlines for each.
As you complete them, write down the date completed and consider adding a short note about how you feel after completing the goal.
For example, if your goal is to build confidence and overcome shyness by connecting with others, some milestones could include:
- start five conversations in one day
- find a hobby and join a related club
- get three individuals’ phone numbers and text them the following day
- build a lasting friendship with someone
Then, you would add deadlines to these goals. This adds a sense of urgency and pushes you to take prompt action.
As you complete these achievements, write down when you accomplished them and note how you feel. Do you notice an increase in confidence?
Tracking your progress is a vital aspect of building self-confidence. So, remember to log your achievements, celebrate your wins, and stay focused on your journey to becoming a more confident you.
Building on success
As you progress on this journey, you will inevitably start to succeed. The key is using this momentum to reach further heights.
You may feel ready to tackle anything once you start to see progress, but it is vital to go slowly.
Change your habits gradually rather than all at once. This allows you to focus on one or two at a time instead of ten, and you’ll be more likely to maintain them.
But how can you set increasingly ambitious goals that are safe for you?
1. Break down your goals.
This method is foolproof. Let me explain.
Breaking down your goals forms a process by which the steps to achieve your goals are organized from easiest to hardest. In other words, you’ll force yourself to tackle the easier steps before moving on to more challenging ones.
If you want to lift 65 pounds, you’ll have to start with a lighter weight, say 15 pounds, and work your way up. It is unrealistic and nonsensical to do it any other way.
This method also allows you to gain momentum and build motivation as you approach harder tasks.
2. Celebrate your wins.
And, don’t forget to celebrate your wins. Even if you haven't reached your end goal and built a base of self-confidence, any progress is worth recognition.
This is important because it serves as motivation. You notice the small indicators that you’re closer to your goals and want to keep going. And this is what ultimately builds self-confidence.
Conclusion
After you’ve identified your goals and started your self-confidence journey, follow-up is crucial.
By battling negative emotions, tracking your progress, and building on initial wins, you set yourself up for success.
Which of these tips could help you the most in building your self-confidence?
