If you have confidence, you can walk into any room in the world and feel self-assured without needing approval from others. Confident people don’t need to justify themselves or explain themselves to others; they express their individuality and flow through life without overthinking it. Confident people have learned to accept themselves. Additionally, they share their authentic self with other people without feeling self-conscious.
Thankfully, we can learn self-confidence if we feel uncomfortable or unhappy. But, to get to that point, we must first understand the behaviors that confident people avoid.
Ten Things Confident People Avoid Doing
“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, ‘Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?’ Actually, who are you not to be?” – Marianne Williamson
1 – They don’t ask other people for approval.
Confident people don’t need permission from others to make a decision. They feel comfortable and worthy of making choices independently without asking others first. They will listen to other people’s opinions and consider them. But they don’t put those opinions above their own in decision-making. They live their lives congruently with their hearts and don’t care if others accept them.
2 – Confident people don’t blame anyone for their circumstances in life.
They take full ownership of everything that happens to them. Confident people don’t blame the barista at the coffee shop if they’re late to work or blame their boss if they can’t pay rent. They take full responsibility for their actions and realize they must navigate their lives. They might be unable to control everything that happens to them, but they can choose how to respond. Confident people take constructive action and don’t wallow in self-pity or play the blame game.
3 – They aren’t scared of things that will challenge them, mentally or physically.
Confident people don’t hesitate to accept a challenge or get outside their comfort zone; they willingly charge ahead toward new experiences. They get a thrill out of being uncomfortable and don’t set limits on themselves. Indeed, they have self-worth and know that every unique experience presents an opportunity to grow and learn.
4 – They don’t second-guess themselves.
Confident people don’t mull over their thoughts endlessly after deciding; they watch life unfold and stand behind their choice. Even if it didn’t work out according to plan, confident people still don’t second-guess themselves because they know that they made a specific decision for a reason. They have faith in themselves to take the proper steps to reach their goals and achieve success.
5 – Confident people don’t tear others down to boost their self-esteem.
One of the most defining characteristics of a confident person is their ability to feel completely comfortable with themselves without needing to belittle other people in the process. They can stand in their truth and express themselves openly without squashing every person in their path.
6 – They don’t care what other people think of them.
Confident people show up to any situation in life as their authentic selves without putting on a mask or concealing any “imperfections.” They know they have flaws, as everyone does, so we should all feel comfortable showing those to people. They understand that they incarnated into their bodies for a reason, so why waste their time hating themselves or wishing for someone else’s life? Confident people love themselves whether others share that sentiment or not.
7 – They don’t give up on their dreams and goals.
Confident people see their dreams through to the finish, no matter how many roadblocks they encounter along the way. Being confident doesn’t mean that they don’t have doubts, but they push past their insecurities and keep the faith no matter what. They know that no one else can achieve their goals for them, so they must put in the effort to see the results.
8 – Confident people don’t try to impress others.
They couldn’t care less how much money they have, what brand of clothing they buy, or what kind of car they drive. They know that possessions don’t define a person. Thus, they feel confident in themselves because of their character.
They realize that someone’s true essence comes from their soul. So they don’t waste time impressing other people with things they don’t even care to own. They only want to impress themselves and work on having the best possible relationship with themselves.
9 – They avoid putting things on the back burner.
Confident people don’t procrastinate; they get things done as needed. They dive headfirst into life and won’t let outside forces knock their persistence. Confident people don’t just watch life happen; they create it.
10 – Confident people don’t conform to make others comfortable.
They don’t mind a healthy debate to get a fresh perspective or maybe teach the other person something. They don’t allow people to walk all over them or treat them as a doormat. Confident people remain steadfast in their beliefs, regardless of who agrees with them.
Five Tips to Help Build Self-Confidence
If you need some guidance on feeling more self-assured, remember these tips to boost your confidence.
1 – Smile more often (like confident people do!)
Smiling offers incredible benefits for you and everyone in your vicinity as well. A smile gives off the vibe that nothing in this world can bring you down, and others will notice this powerful energy! Not to mention, smiling boosts your immune system and triggers the release of brain chemicals that reduce stress and heart rate. So, smiling as often as possible is in our best interest!
When others see you smile, it encourages them to smile back, releasing feel-good hormones in their brains. Smiling shows the world you feel happy, drawing people into your energy field and boosting confidence. Imagine what kind of ripple effect it would create in our world of nearly 8 billion people if everyone smiled more!
Workplace studies reveal that positive emotions invigorate employees and lead to higher productivity. Performing well at your job boosts confidence and enhances your relationships with coworkers, benefiting everyone involved.
2 – Keep your head up!
We mean this literally, in case you were wondering. Holding your head up when you walk gives off an aura of self-confidence and opens your energy field. Holding your head down and keeping your eyes on the ground, you close yourself off the world. So, if you want to increase your self-esteem instantly, look around your environment. Others will feel more comfortable in your presence as well.
When you walk past people, remember to smile and make eye contact with those around you. Seeing a warm, friendly face makes people feel at ease and releases tension in the air. It also signals that you’re approachable and comfortable in your skin.
3 – Visualize yourself fitting in with confident people.
Many people utilize the power of visualization to manifest their goals and desires. You can also visualize yourself as the person you wish to become soon. We’ll go over a few crucial tips for effective visualization below.
Our thoughts become a reality, so imagine what you already do if you want more confidence! This version of yourself already exists; you have to believe it and act the way you want to feel. It will eventually manifest if you view yourself positively and continually remind yourself of this possibility.
Positive affirmations such as “I love myself” or “I am enough” can powerfully affect your psyche. Eventually, you begin to rewire your brain to become conditioned to this new thinking. If you practice affirmations daily, your confidence will soar before you know it.
4 – Keep yourself busy.
If you have too much time, you will likely create problems that don’t even exist in the first place. The mind likes to stay busy, so make sure to live an active lifestyle that complements your unique talents.
Having a career that you feel passionate about will automatically make you more self-assured. Choosing a job that aligns with your interests increases your energy and zest for life. Plus, being good at what you do naturally boosts your self-esteem and ability to handle work-related stress.
We derive a sense of self from our work, but engaging in other activities is essential. Try to connect with others who enjoy similar hobbies, such as birdwatching or hiking in your free time. Being in a group with like-minded people will boost your self-esteem, giving you a feeling of belonging and camaraderie among confident people.
5 – Remove negative influences from your life.
As they say, misery loves company, so choose your friends wisely. People who have a negative outlook on life will influence yours, which can lower your self-esteem. On the other hand, happy people with clear goals for their life will inspire and uplift you.
If you want to become more confident, seeking out like-minded companionship makes sense. Find friends who will make you feel better about yourself and give you a new perspective on life. Remember that real friends want to see you succeed and care about your happiness.
Final Thoughts on Confident People
Feeling more confident boils down to our daily habits and thoughts about ourselves. The most self-assured people don’t set any limits and avoid seeking others’ approval. They also set goals for their life and don’t care about impressing others. If you want to feel more comfortable in your skin, focus on accepting yourself and realizing your strengths. You’re already enough; your mind tricks you into thinking otherwise.