How To Boost Your Self-Confidence with Six Small Words (Feel Secure, Happier and In Control)
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How To Improve Your Self-Confidence
(With Six Small Words)
Self-confidence is that feeling of trust we have in our ability to face whatever life throws at us.
Henry Ford summed up self-confidence perfectly when he said: “Whether you think you can or whether you think you can’t, you’re right.”
Too often, we allow themselves to think “I can’t” more than we allow ourselves to think “I can.”
To boost self-confidence, you need the little voice inside your head saying “I can!”
So how do you get from “I can’t” to “I can”?
With six small words.
Did you know that six small words can boost your self-confidence?
It sounds crazy, doesn’t it?
But it’s not.
So what are these six words you ask?
Yes. No. I’m Sorry. Hello. Goodbye. Why.
(And yes … I’m aware that “I’m sorry” should count as two words but work with me here!)
Using these six small words will inspire you to take more risks, turn negativity into positivity, own your mistakes, and embrace the unknown.
Let’s take a closer look at each word and how you can improve your self-confidence using each.
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Boost Your Self-Confidence With YES
Although “yes” is a small word, it’s a powerful one that can immensely boost your self-confidence. How you ask?
By saying “yes” to new opportunities, challenges, and change.
By saying “yes” to things that make you nervous.
By saying “yes” to things that take you out of your comfort zone.
If saying “yes” to something gives you a nervous little thrill deep down, you’re saying yes to the right thing.
Saying yes to new changes, challenges, and opportunities helps you to grow and become the person you are meant to be. And every time you face a new challenge and succeed, your self-confidence increases.
And if by some chance you don’t succeed when trying something new? You’ll still be challenging yourself, pushing your limits and learning in the process. And that boosts self-confidence too.
Start by saying “yes” to small things.
Perhaps you start by saying “yes” to a new hairstyle.
Or a new exercise class.
Or a new type of food.
Then begin saying “yes” to bigger things.
“Yes” the next time you’re asked to head up a project at work.
“Yes” when the parent-teacher group is looking for a committee chair.
“Yes” to an invitation from a new friend.
“Yes” to an opportunity to go back to school.
Every time you say “yes” to something new, different or scary, you move outside of your comfort zone (some might even call it a “rut”) and into a life that better aligns with who you want to be. And you’ll find your self-confidence growing right along with you.
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How To Improve Your Self-Confidence With NO
“No” is an even smaller word than yes, but it can have a significant impact on your self-confidence as well.
Say “no” to the little inside voice that tells you that you can’t.
Say “no” to a request or task that makes you die a little inside.
Say “no” to a person whose company leaves you feeling small and useless.
Say “no” to unhealthy habits that leave you feeling tired, stressed, or sick.
Saying no to all the things that leave you feeling exhausted, stressed, or unhappy is a chance to say yes to things that will leave you feeling invigorated, rested, and joyful. And as you remove the negative to make room for the positive, your self-confidence will grow right along with your spirit.
Boost Your Self-Confidence With I’M SORRY
OK … I know “I’m sorry” is technically two words (or even three if you count the contraction as two words). I’m sorry! After all, everyone makes mistakes. I make them. You make them. We all make them.
That’s what “I’m sorry” is about — owning your mistakes, learning from them, and moving on. You don’t need to wallow in your failures or keep holding on to them. You take what you can and move on — becoming more self-confident in the process.
You need to stop believing the myth that you have to be perfect and infallible. Everyone makes mistakes — little mistakes and huge life-changing mistakes. What matters is that you learn from your mistakes and then keep on moving.
As Peter T. McIntyre said, “Confidence comes not from always being right but from not fearing to be wrong.”
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Improve Your Self-Confidence With HELLO
“Hello” is a word to invite new people into your life.
“Hello” expands your circle of experience and influence.
“Hello” helps you make connections with people from different races, cultures, religions, and economic circumstances.
The broader your connections, the more opportunities you have for new experiences and the more you’ll realize how much you have in common with people from all walks of life.
You NEVER know when a connection with someone will be THE connection to your next step, next experience, or next level.
Saying hello can introduce you to the person who is going to change your life.
And you know what? Saying hello boosts your self-confidence by introducing you to new people who can change and help shape your life for the better.
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Boost Your Self-Confidence With GOODBYE
Just as saying “hello” will introduce you to people who will broaden and expand your life, saying “goodbye” can boost your self-confidence by leaving behind the people and habits that bring you down.
“Goodbye” to negative people who cut you down and make you feel small.
“Goodbye” to negative self-talk that makes you doubt that you are strong and capable.
“Goodbye” to negative habits that leave you feeling weak and tired.
As Eleanor Roosevelt said, “No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.” Saying goodbye is about removing that consent. Say goodbye to all the voices and actions that make you feel inferior. You don’t need them in your life … you’re worth so much more!
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Boost Your Self-Confidence With WHY
“Why” is a word driven by curiosity. To ask “why” is to be inquisitive and willing to question. It means not being embarrassed or feeling stupid because you don’t know something.
Think of children. They are born into this world knowing nothing. They ask “why why why” all day long. Without embarrassment. Without shame. They ask because they really want to know. Asking why is how children grow and learn about the world.
You can’t stop asking why just because you’re grown up. You need to tap into your inner child, ask “why” and discover the answers. As you do this, you boost your self-confidence with each answer as you’re learning, stretching, and growing.
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How To Improve Your Self-Confidence – A Final Thought
Now you know how to improve your self-confidence with just six small words. As you embrace these words, your life will expand and grow, along with your self-confidence. As you say “yes” and “hello” to new challenges and people and “no” and “goodbye” to negativity and bad habits, you’ll learn to embrace your mistakes (“I’m sorry”) and ask “why” — enriching your life and your soul along the way.
As always, if you have enjoyed reading this post, please share it with your family and friends. Thanks!
Kimberly Clay is the founder and creative force behind What She Say. She’s a business professional, writer and editor who’s been creating and managing digital content for nearly twenty years. Her work is now focused in the areas of self-improvement and personal development, and she is passionate about helping other individuals, especially women, to find a path for living their best life.
