Have you ever needed a quick confidence boost like right now? We all have! Maybe just before an important work event or even a promising date?
Well, that’s what I’m going to talk about today: effective psychological tricks to pump up your confidence in the moment. Here they go.
Tricks for a Quick Confidence Boost
Visualize and Remember a Big Success in Your Past
Bring your mind back to a big success you had. Don’t just remember it, visualize it in your mind’s eye.
Picture it in detail, and remember you you felt. Replay it from beginning to end.
The important thing about reliving a past success is that you remind yourself that you’ve been spectacular before, and will continue that trend to be spectacular again. You will just do what you’ve done before! It’s no biggie.
Wear a Favorite Outfit
You feel better when you look better. So, wear something that fits you well and that you love on your big day for a confidence boost.
I’ve noticed this myself, in a weird way. When I have an important day at work, I’m actually most insecure right before I get dressed in the morning. As I put on clothes that I like, I kind of feel like I’m putting on my armor.
Think of those movie scenes where the hero is about to go into battle and puts on his body armor and loads up his weapons. Feels like he’s getting ready and stepping into the role, right? Is there any doubt that he’ll vanquish his enemies?
You can do the same thing. Suit up in your best clothes, and step into your role.
Listen to an Inspiring Song for a Quick Confidence Boost
Badass “triumph” music can have a big effect on us and make us feel confident, ready, and even defiant in the face of adversity.
Maybe you have a favorite song that always makes you feel powerful and ready. Or, here are two of my favorites, together with the music videos:
The Fighter, by Gym Class Heroes
Girl on Fire, by Alicia Keys
Read Inspirational Quotes
Similar to listening to an inspiring song, reading inspiring quotes can give you an instant confidence boost. In fact, you can have a notes file on your phone with some of your favorites.
Reading inspiring quotes can ground you, put distance between yourself and insecurity, and make you feel better and stronger in a snap. Here are a few to get you started:
“Life isn’t about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.”
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“Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts.”
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“What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.”
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Try the Navy SEAL Box Breathing Technique
So this will help you get a confidence boost by tamping down on anxiety in a very physical way. Here’s how to do it:
- “Expel all of the air from your lungs
- Keep them empty for four seconds
- Inhale through your nose for four seconds
- Hold for a four count (don’t clamp down or create pressure; be easy)
- Exhale for a four count
- Repeat for 10-20 minutes”
(Quoted from InsideHook).
I find that even if you don’t have time to repeat it several times over, doing it even once helps tremendously. Try it!
Here’s a video guide, with a timer and everything:
And That’s How You Get a Quick Confidence Boost!
Need a confidence boost right now? Just try one (or more) of these techniques. To recap:
- Relive a past success in your mind.
- Wear a favorite outfit.
- Listen to an inspiring song.
- Read inspiring quotes.
- Try the Navy SEAL box breathing technique.
See you next time!
What are your favorite confidence tricks?
Great advice Miguel. I learned a long time ago to give myself a pep talk. Especially before speaking in front of a group or attending an important meeting or interview. You gotta be your own biggest fan to succeed. If you don’t believe, who will? Tom