What follows are ideas to consider if you want to increase your confidence. You may want to read this in conjunction with my article on self confidence?.

Choose your goals. Goals can be fun and enjoyable. They do not have to be things that fill you with dread. If it is a large goal, break it down and reward your achievements. Try to focus on what you’ve accomplished rather than what’s left to do.

Remember your past achievements, no matter how small. Write them down and reflect how good you felt achieving them.  Remind yourself that you did that.

Recall the challenges you dealt with in the past and how you mastered them.

A confident person is less likely to procrastinate. I have written more about procrastination and  tips for overcoming it in another article.

You can feel good about yourself when you spend time focusing on what you are good at. Not sure what you are good at? Got to the point that you believe there is very little you are good at? Grab a pen and paper and start a list. Don’t even think about comparing yourself with others. This is not about them – this is about you. Go through all areas of your life.

Think about your personality. List those characteristics that make up you. What do you like about yourself? It is not bragging – if you don’t say them who else will? Don’t wait for other people to say them, they may never come.

Anything about yourself you don’t like? How might you go about changing it? Else how might you go about accepting it?

Spend time using your  talents. Set goals for yourself and continue to learn and develop.

Remember to make time to relax.

Make time for your pleasures. You may need to brainstorm what these are if you’ve not looked after yourself for sometime. Do things that are for you and make you feel good about yourself. If you are thinking about engaging in new things, make sure they suit your personality.

Dare yourself to be happy and optimistic. Don’t believe you are tempting fate by enjoying your life and so sit waiting for it to change. Relax and enjoy!

Do not feel guilty or unworthy of having good things in your  life.

When bad things happen, remind yourself that they will not last and that you are capable of bringing about great changes in your life.

Take care with your thinking. Thinking can have a massive impact on your confidence. Do not let yourself doubt or question when you say something good about yourself, or compare yourself to others. For example,” I am good at piano playing”. Do not follow this up with, “so is everybody else and there are many other people better than me”. You have just undermined a talent of yours, which will keep you feeling negative about yourself. What purpose does this serve?

Don’t wait for life to come to you: go out and live it. This is in relation to the small things (you fancy a particular bar of chocolate) and the big things (where you would like to go on holiday). Don’t wait hoping someone may suggest it to you, as it may never happen.

Don’t always be the one to give in. Remind yourself that you have needs and demands which may be as valid as the next person’s.

Learn to say no when you know that’s what you want to do. It may be awkward at first, but as with most things, it gets easier with practise. As your confidence soars, so will your assertiveness.

Don’t be afraid to express an opinion.

If other people offer you a compliment, thank them. Don’t spend the next few minutes telling them why what they said cannot possible be true.

Think about the good things your friends and family would say about you.

Don’t worry about what other people think to the point it dominates your life. Do what is right for you.

Learn to be proud of the successes and achievements of your friends and family.

You don’t need to compare your life to other people, as yours is good enough, right?

Read my positive tips for happiness to feel good about yourself and your life.