Five simple habits that can boost confidence
Confidence can be built through everyday habits, from managing expectations to setting boundaries in one’s personal and working life.
According to Psychology Today on Saturday (7 November), psychologist Alicia H. Clark, Psy.D., explains that people with confidence tend to maintain emotional balance and face challenges without easily losing control of their lives.
One habit people can adopt, Clark says, is reassuring themselves that they can cope with difficult situations. A simple phrase such as “I can handle this” can help someone manage self-doubt under pressure.
Another is setting realistic expectations. Clark advises focusing on what can be controlled through one’s own actions, rather than relying on circumstances beyond one’s control.
Research cited by Clark indicates that people with self-efficacy, or belief in their own abilities, tend to show greater motivation and perseverance when facing obstacles.
People should also accept disappointment as part of life. Clark says acknowledging sadness or disappointment can help someone process the experience before resuming their activities.
“Acknowledging disappointment can prevent it from continuing to develop into more damaging emotions,” Clark wrote.
Another habit is looking after one’s health regularly, including paying attention to sleep quality, diet, hydration, caffeine consumption and physical activity.
Clark says self-care helps people maintain balance, particularly when pressure increases. These habits also need to be practised consistently for their benefits to be felt.
Finally, people should recognise their limits and cut back on excessive activity. Clark warns that taking on too many responsibilities, particularly at work, can increase the risk of exhaustion or burnout.
Being able to say “no” or defer a request when one’s workload has become too great is therefore an important part of maintaining a balanced life.
According to Clark, confidence is linked to recognising one’s needs, accepting limitations and continuing to face challenges in a realistic way.