Believe in Yourself: 10 Tips to Boost Your Self-Confidence

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Confidence really is the “key” to… everything.  After working in 2 totally different environments,  full-time in a conservative corporate organization and part-time in a gym teaching fitness classes,   I’ve noticed that in both contexts the most confident people always fare best.  Notice I didn’t say the smartest, most experienced or even the most talented.  For example, at my corporate job the person who speaks up in meetings and boldly takes on new projects is always first in line for promotion.  Also at the gym, the fitness instructors who risk looking like an idiot to energize their class always have the biggest following.   The consistent trait among these successful folks is a high degree of self-confidence. 

The reality is that we all have insecurities.  We compare ourselves to others and feel shameful at times (or at least I do).  To me, it’s refreshing to see people who are fearless and confident enough to take a stand or risk failing.  Seeing someone who believes in their self makes me believe in them too.  It’s a self-fulfilling prophecy.   

That said I did some research on tips that can help us boost our self-confidence.  Below are my 10 favorites.  I hope these tips helps you as much as they’ve helped me.  

10 Tips to Boost Your Self-Confidence

  1. Sip coffee – Studies show that just a little coffee increases alertness, energy and confidence.  But remember to skip the cream and sugar, no need for the extra calories.
  2. WIN! do something you’re naturally good at – It’s great to improve on our weaknesses, but it’s really nice to be the best at something.  Make winning a habit by doing something each week that you are naturally good at.
  3. Stick out your chest – “Research suggests that people with good posture have more confidence in their thoughts than slouchers.”  Read more: http://www.oprah.com/spirit/Quick-Confidence-How-to-Boost-Self-Esteem#ixzz2qPV2G9gB
  4. Strut some stilettos – High heels make us stand up straighter and walk taller.  Don’t be afraid to stand tall and be big!  Throw on those pumps and “get on wit yo bad self!”
  5. Blog – Sharing your innermost feelings online rather than in a personal journal can help us feel more comfortable with ourselves – flaws and all.  There’s something powerful about taking the risk of sharing your thoughts and experiences with the world.  The vulnerability required to blog can increase self-confidence.
  6. Dance in the mirror – I find dancing in the mirror to be extremely liberating.  I’ve told you guys over and over that I am not a great dancer, so watching myself let loose (and look kinda silly) helps me feel more comfortable in my own skin.  Try it!
  7. Savor compliments – Instead of dismissing compliments, simply say “Thank You” and then repeat the compliment in your head 3 times.  It’s okay, don’t be shy 😉
  8. Smile – “Social psychologist Laura Kray, PhD, has demonstrated that smiling, laughing and engaging in slight physical contact when negotiating can help you win the day.”  Read more: http://www.oprah.com/spirit/Quick-Confidence-How-to-Boost-Self-Esteem/5#ixzz2qPVIodQO
  9. Sweat –  Exercise gets endorphins flowing and increases serotonin which makes us feel good.  It’s easier to be confident when you feel good.  Also the physical benefits of exercise makes us feel better about our abilities and our appearance.
  10. Write about a time you felt “powerful” – I was at  women’s brunch a few months ago and the speaker asked the audience how many of us wanted to be powerful.  Only only like 10% raised their hands.  Then she asked how many wanted to be influential and like 90% raised their hands.  I don’t get that?  What’s wrong with being powerful?  Powerful people with good intentions can make the most significant positive impacts!  People possess power because others believe in them. Powerful people exude confidence!  Spend some time writing about your most “powerful” moment to give yourself a confidence boost.

Fake it till you make it!  xoxo, Brit

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Lean In: My story of pursuing my passions

GRIT by Brit Lean In

A few months ago I wrote a blog post about an inspiring women’s conferenced I attended at my alma mater, Harvard Business School.  Sheryl Sandberg, Facebook COO,  was the keynote speaker and I become very moved by her advocacy for women to “Lean In.”  I could relate to her stories about over coming corporate obstacles, balancing work and life and trying to build and maintain self-confidence.   She even talked about the importance of maintaining her health and wellness (she was also a fitness instructor on the side, like me!).  This woman has some #GRIT.  Anyway, I decided to share my “Lean In” story with the global community, so I today I wanted to repost it for my GRIT by Brit readers.  Hope my story inspires you and encourages you to make your dreams come true!

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The only person who can hold me back from making my dreams come true, is me!  Lots of luv, Brit

And here’s my story…

I drained my savings account to develop and produce an original home workout DVD. I was working crazy hours in management consulting and had recently completed my MBA, but could not ignore my deep desire to share fitness, health and wellness with others. I chose to lean in.

I realized I had unique ability to motivate and encourage others through fitness and wellness. At a very young age I began struggling with my weight. I weighed 106 pounds in the 3rd grade. However, my weight loss journey transformed my way of thinking and revealed my personal strength. My new-found mental grit positively impacted my career, relationships and my faith. I had a duty to share my weight management success story and tools for others to succeed.

First, I auditioned at a major fitness club to start teaching part-time group fitness classes. I was terrified. Completely out of my element, I had to study for fitness certifications, get my body in impeccable shape and learn to lead a class. I would have been much more comfortable in a conference room with PowerPoint slides.

I then started a fitness and wellness lifestyle blog in which I became totally immersed. After long days with my corporate clients, I would stay up late designing workouts and writing motivational messages for my blog followers.

Last, I took the big leap by draining my entire savings account, hiring a producer, and shooting a home workout DVD, staring me! While being in front of the camera was very uncomfortable, it was also amazingly exhilarating. In less than one year, I finalized the video content and packaging. The DVD was picked up by an Amazon distributor and is now for sale online to customers worldwide. In the first three months I sold over 100 copies without any paid marketing or advertising. Also, my blog grew to almost 2,000 followers. In the meanwhile, I received a promotion from Senior Consultant to Manager at my full-time consulting job—wow!

My lean in decision taught me that I’m capable of doing things far beyond my imagination. While I haven’t led a major corporation or raised millions of dollars, I have encouraged the lives of many people by simply sharing my gifts and taking a risk. The only person who can hold me back from making my dreams come true, is me.

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Leaning in Sheryl Sandberg Style: Up close w/ Facebook COO and other Wonder Women

picstitch (22)Word on the street is Sheryl Sandberg, Chief Operating Officer of Facebook, is positioning herself to run for US political office which is why she’s investing so much time and energy in promoting her new book, Lean In.  I don’t really care what her intentions are.  I just know that after I read the book and heard her speak this weekend, I felt re-energized and ready to CRUSH it.  I like Sheryl and the “Lean In” message because, to me, it’s a modern day, sexy, non-butch feminist movement.  I’m a “girly” girl, but I’m also feisty, aggressive and have lots of GRIT (aka GRIT by Brit).  The way Sheryl describes a feminist allows me to be ME 🙂

Sheryl Sandberg Lean InI graduated from Harvard Business School in 2010, so last weekend 2 of my best friends/classmates and I went back to Boston for the Women’s 50 (#W50) Summit.  W50 celebrated 50 years since women were admitted to HBS.  We had a rockstar list of key note guest speakers including Anne Moore,  Karen Gordon Mills and Frances Frei.  But in addition to these high-profile guests,  I learned SO MUCH from my fellow HBS women alumni who simply shared their personal stories.  I left the weekend feeling like…

“I got this. I’m gonna be okay.  It’s all good. The world is MINE.”

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I also feel a duty to share the Top 5 Life Lessons I learned over the past 3 days.  I hope these nuggets of wisdom impact you as much as they’ve positively impacted me.

  1. Life is about “juggling” not “balancing” priorities.  If we try to be “balanced” we’ll always be disappointed.  It’s not that easy.  Better yet, think of life as juggling and the only way to get good at it is to practice.  In life, we are juggling several balls (i.e. priorities) , family, career, friends, hobbies.  Some balls bounce if you drop them (i.e. career) but others don’t (i.e.family.)  When juggling, the ball that requires the most attention at a point in time is the one that’s falling – Howard Stevenson
  2. Dare to be bad.  This doesn’t mean we should act like 16 year old rebellious teenagers.  It means that in order to be GREAT at some things, we have to have the courage and wisdom to be BAD at somethings (i.e. Wal-Mart is not GREAT at customer service).  If we try to be good at everthing, all we achieve is perfect mediocrity.  The road to mediocrity is paved with good intentions.  But daring to be BAD is pathway to greatness. – Francies Frei
  3. Attribute your successes to your OWN talents and skills.  This is a key point that Sheryl hammered home which rings especially true for women.  While luck, the help of others and hard work play a large role in our achievements, we also have to acknowledge that we are pretty freakin’ talented.  Men do this much more than women.  But ladies, we need to start giving ourselves some credit when we knock it out of the park.  Like I always say, “Show some Swagger”
  4. Leaders adapt and pressure is a privilege.  We should be excited about the challenges in our lives and face them head on, with confidence.  – Ann Moore
  5. The most important decision in our lifetime is who we choose to marry.  Frances Frei says, “Plan A, marry the person who energizes you and inspires you to be a better person.  Plan B is to surround yourself with a team of people who do the same.”  No matter who I spoke with this weekend, a key theme I heard is that a happy, supportive spouse played a critical role in each woman’s livelihood,  career success and family health.  Many of the husbands described were willing to help do the laundry and take care of the kids so that these high-achieving women didn’t have to “lean back” from their own careers. – Sheryl Sandberg

Now go CRUSH this week #GRIT

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