[:en]Self-Confidence[:]

[:en]So, what exactly is self confidence? Well, let’s start with the definition of ‘confidence’ first. According to the internet, confidence is the feeling or belief that one can rely on someone or something. Therefore, self confidence is a feeling of trust in one's abilities, qualities, and judgment.

Self-confident people are admired by others and inspire confidence in others. They face their fears head-on and tend to be risk takers. They know that no matter what obstacles come their way, they have the ability to get past them. Self-confidence is extremely important in almost every aspect of our lives, yet so many people struggle to find it.

Wouldn't it be amazing to have this kind of self-confidence, every day of the week? Guess what? You can. Self-confidence really can be learned and built on. And, whether you’re working on your own confidence or building the confidence of people around you, it’s definitely worth the effort!

So, how do you actually build this sense of self confidence? Well, it definitely isn’t a quick, five minute solution. Building self confidence can be hard, either because personal experiences have caused you to lose confidence or because you suffer from low self-esteem. You might have to fake it at first and just appear to be self-confident, but eventually you will begin to feel the foundation of self-confidence grow within you!

Here are some tips to get you going in building your self-confidence:

1. Stay away from negativity and bring on the positivity
   Consider getting away from those individuals who put you down and shred your confidence. Even a temporary break from Debbie Downer can make a huge difference and help you make strides toward more self-confidence.
2. Change your body language and image
   This is where posture, eye-contact, and speech come to play. Just the simple act of pulling your shoulders back gives others the impression that you are a confident person. Look at the person you are speaking to, not at your shoes–keeping eye contact shows confidence. And lastly, speak clearly. Research has proved that those who take the time to speak slowly and clearly feel more self-confidence and appear more self-confident to others.
3. Don't accept failure and get rid of the negative voices in your head
   Never give up. Never accept failure. There is a solution to everything, so why would you want to throw in the towel? Make this your new mantra. Getting through a difficulty is a huge confidence booster.

For tough times, when all else fails: Create a great list
Life is full of challenges and there are times when it's difficult to keep our self-confidence up. Make a list of all the things in your life that you are thankful for, and another list of all the things you are proud of accomplishing. Put it somewhere where you can easily be reminded of what an amazing life you have and what an amazing person you really are.

Aqeela Syakira Sugarda (Grade 10)[:]