“I’ll be confident when…” 

 ”When I get that job.” “When I have a better body.” “When I ace that test.” 

Confidence often seems like a result rather than a reason. Sometimes we’re more confident when we are feeling good in the gym or when we crush an interview, but confidence is so much more than that feeling of success! True confidence is something we create ourselves and is the outcome of our thoughts and actions. It’s in our belief in our ability to succeed. 

If you are having a hard time believing in you, here are 10 ways you can boost your confidence! 

1. Find your constants, and nurture those relationships. 

It’s easy to feel confident when you are surrounded by people who love you, see your strengths and don’t let you forget who you are. Whether it’s your family, coworkers or Kappa Delta sisters, it’s important to remember the constants in your life who believe in you when you might not believe in yourself. 

2. Get outside. 

There are so many great benefits of fresh air and movement, but we’ll share a few! Taking time for yourself outside can reduce stress and anxiety, boost vitamin D, help you focus, and get you a better night’s rest. Feeling better can lead to higher confidence. Take some time every day to get outside! Go on a walk, sit in the sun, and start to feel the confidence radiating from inside. 

3. Step out of your comfort zone. 

Maybe it’s trying out a new hobby, introducing yourself to someone new, taking a trip, or even finding a new route to work or school. Switching up your routine might motivate and inspire you, and in turn, boost your confidence.   

4. Focus on being the best version of yourself. 

Comparison can be a hard habit to break, and it might be something that we all have to continually work on. Social media can be a big trigger for this. It’s a major part of our daily lives, and while it’s a great tool to stay connected, it can be a place where this negative habit festers. Try to remember that social media can be a highlight reel! When you feel yourself start to fall into a spiral of comparison, look at your strengths and achievements and know that you are special and unique. 

P.S. Here’s a recent blog post where we talked about staying confident on social media. 

5. Check something off your to-do list. 

Set a small goal for yourself, and try to achieve it first thing in the morning. It could be making your bed when you get up  or finally starting to tackle that big work project that’s been looming. Crossing tasks off your list gives you a sense of accomplishment and can motivate you to continue crossing off more and more.   

6. Trash the negative self-talk. 

Even the most confident people can struggle with negative self-talk. It can make us believe we’ve failed even before we’ve started. So, start paying attention to the way you talk about and to yourself, and work on turning that inner self-critic into a supporter. As we said earlier, confidence is the outcome of our thoughts and actions, and those negative thoughts have no place here! 

7. Dress up. 

When we feel good on the outside, it can help us feel good on the inside. When you’re feeling less than confident, turning that around can be as simple as hopping in the shower and throwing on your favorite outfit. You might be amazed at how quickly your mood will change and how you’ll feel ready to take on the world. 

8. Stand up straight. 

Posture is important – stand tall, shoulders back and plant your feet firmly. A power pose can go a long way toward how you are perceived by others, and when you feel more secure in yourself, confidence can follow. 

9. Take a breath. 

It’s incredible what a simple deep breath can do if you’re feeling anxious or overwhelmed. Deep breaths allow for a full exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide, which in turn, slows the heartbeat, lowers or stabilizes blood pressure and lowers stress. So, when you start to feel your confidence slipping, pause and take a breath. You could even try some of these relaxation breath control techniques from Harvard Medical School. 

10. If all else fails, fake it ’till you make it. 

It might sound silly, but one way to build confidence is to act like you already have it. This doesn’t mean pretending to be someone you’re not. It’s about having faith in yourself and knowing you deserve to feel confident. When you challenge yourself to be confident when your mind is telling you the opposite, you’re taking a leap toward true self confidence and retraining your brain to actually believe it.  

Confidence is central to the Kappa Delta experience, and while building confidence isn’t always the easiest task, Kappa Delta’s mission is to provide experiences that build confidence in women and inspire them to action through the power of lifelong friendship.  If you’re struggling with your confidence, remember that your sisters are always there to pick you up when you need it most and remind you to never give up on yourself – because you’re worth it!  

Learn more about our constant, confident sisterhood here.