Pearl Nash
Have you ever been in awe of someone’s confidence? You know, the kind of person who walks into a room and commands attention without even trying?
If you’re like me, you might wonder how they do it.
Well, I’ve got some good news for you – confidence isn’t a fixed trait that some people are just born with. It’s a set of habits that anyone can develop with a little practice!
In this article, I’m going to share 15 habits of highly confident people that not only make them feel good, but inspire others, too.
If you’re looking to grow in confidence, read on!
Body language and mindset
1) They have good posture
Picture this: two men walk into a room – one with his shoulders back and head held up high, the other with drooping shoulders and a hunched back…
Which one do you think just screams confidence? I think you’d agree that it’s the first guy, right?
See, the way you hold yourself tells people your level of confidence.
And you know what? It’s kind of a self-fulfilling prophecy, too. Studies show that maintaining good posture actually gives you more confidence in your own thoughts. It’s the perfect example of “fake it till you become it!”
Want to know more about this? Check out this TED Talk by social psychologist Amy Cuddy and try out a power pose yourself. See if it doesn’t change your whole attitude and make you feel powerful!
2) They take care of their appearance
I’d love to say that appearance shouldn’t matter. To some extent, yes, it shouldn’t.
But let’s be real, how we look is the first thing people notice about us. That’s just human nature.
And if you look like you’re down in the dumps, it sends the message that you’re feeling defeated and not confident at all.
Now, don’t get mad at me for saying that; it’s the science that did! According to a study, women who are sad or depressed are more likely to wear baggy clothes.
On the other hand, those who are happy or positive are more likely to put more effort into what they’re wearing.
That’s why confident people take pride in their appearance, whether that means dressing well or simply taking care of their hygiene.
When you look good, you feel good – and others can’t help but be inspired by your confidence.
3) They practice positive self-talk
It’s not just your appearance that matters. You might be dressed in the finest suits or dresses, but if you engage in negative self-talk, you won’t get very far in life.
You see, the way we talk to ourselves will show outward one way or another.
Truly confident people know this, and they put as much thought into their inner dialogues as they do into their appearance.
How do you do this?
First of all: don’t put yourself down. Be your own champion and practice positive self-talk. Remind yourself of your strengths and accomplishments.
And don’t fall into the trap of comparing yourself with others. That’s just a recipe for getting your spirits and confidence level down.
4) They embrace their failures
Positive self-talk also hinges on an understanding that failure is natural.
Everyone makes mistakes, but confident people don’t let them hold them back. They learn from their weaknesses and failures and use them as opportunities for growth.
So, if you’re having a bad day, then treat it as it is – just a bad day, nothing more. It doesn’t mean you’re incompetent or a complete failure.
Turn that “failure” on its head and figure out what you can learn from it. That way, it isn’t a failure, it’s merely a stepping stone to success!
5) They practice humility
It might be weird to think of confidence as something that goes hand in hand with humility, but really, when you think about it, it’s an interesting paradox.
Confidence is often mistaken for arrogance, but true confidence is anything but arrogant.
You see, unlike arrogant people who believe they know it all, confident folks are open to others’ ideas and opinions. They know that learning from other perspectives is essential to growing as a person.
On top of that, arrogant people like tooting their own horn and making themselves the center of attention.
In contrast, confident people don’t seek constant praise and attention. They let their accomplishments speak for themselves and maintain an attitude of openness to accept help from other people.
If you ask me, that’s more inspiring than someone who constantly brags about themselves!
Communication and relationships
6) They set boundaries
Let me tell you a quick story about an old co-worker of mine. When she first came in, Ella was all bright-eyed and friendly. She was so approachable that people thought they could ask her to do favors for them and would pass on some of their tasks to her.
Unfortunately, they had a rude surprise when they found out that, yes, Ella might be friendly, but she had no problem saying no. She knew when she was being taken advantage of and could express her boundaries firmly.
Her confidence was so inspiring that the quiet and unassuming ones in the office started learning how to say no, too! It was a great lesson in setting boundaries.
See, confident people know their limits and aren’t afraid to say “no” when something doesn’t sit right with them.
7) They ask for what they want and speak with conviction
I know how hard it is when there’s something you want, but you don’t have the guts to ask for it. Many of us suffer from a fear of rejection and embarrassment, and so we let the moment pass us by.
In the end, we regret not taking the chance and settle for thinking about “what-ifs.”
Confident people don’t struggle with what-ifs, or at least not as much as the timid ones do. They aren’t afraid to ask for what they want – whether that’s a raise at work or a table at a busy restaurant.
They think, “What’s the worst that can happen?”
They know that the worst that can happen is they’ll be told “no,” but the rewards of asking can be great.
They’re comfortable with rejection and understand that it’s part of life. So, they don’t let it hold them back!
8) They are decisive
I need to confess something: I was once a top-notch dilly-dallyer. I was supremely indecisive and would take ages to come to a decision, sometimes even over something as trivial as what to have for lunch.
But once I decided to (wo)man up and stop being so hesitant about things, I found out something – the more I made quick decisions, the more confident I became!
Isn’t that weird? But I think it’s because training yourself to make quick decisions also trains you to listen to and trust your intuition.
And as we become more intuitive, we become more decisive. It’s a pretty sweet cycle!
And here’s another plus: decisive people are inspiring because they demonstrate leadership skills and spur others to take action as well.
9) They listen actively
Confident people are known for their ability to speak up. But you know what? They’re fantastic at listening, too.
They know how to actively listen to others, which helps them build better relationships and understand different perspectives.
This points once again to their capacity for humility and their desire for learning.
10) They give credit where it’s due
One of the traits I noticed about the co-workers I admired most was that even though they were confident in their own abilities, they never failed to recognize everyone else’s contributions.
You see, confident people aren’t threatened by others’ accomplishments.
On the contrary, they recognize the achievements of those around them and give credit where it’s due. This inspires others to do the same.
11) They keep their word
A lot of people say one thing and then do another. Or they make a commitment and ditch it at the last minute. Isn’t that frustrating?
Confident people are the exact opposite – they don’t make promises they can’t keep.
One thing you should know about this type of person is that they place great value on integrity, accountability, and respect.
They know that keeping their word is a reflection of these values.
So, they follow through on their commitments, which helps them build a reputation for being dependable.
Personal growth and development
12) They practice self-care
It’s no secret that factors like stress and an unhealthy lifestyle can do some real damage to our mental health.
This affects our self-image, and, consequently, our confidence.
That’s why if you want to go through life feeling strong and powerful, you’ve got to take care of your physical and mental health like confident people do.
They prioritize exercise, sleep, and self-care. They’ve developed their own healthy ways of dealing with stress.
13) They set goals and have an attitude of preparedness
Stepping out in confidence means you have a clear vision and purpose in life, both in the short and long term.
Remember Kobe Bryant? He was the perfect example of a confident person who habitually set goals and did everything he could to meet them.
Kobe was famous for his incredible work ethic and insatiable desire to be the best at what he did. There were many setbacks and injuries throughout his career, but he always bounced back and kept his eyes on the prize.
No wonder he inspired millions of people all over the world!
14) They embrace new experiences
I once went bungee jumping in California with a dear friend of mine.
Now, I’m a fairly adventurous person, but the thought of jumping from a high point with nothing but a rope to stop my free fall made my stomach turn, to be honest.
But once we were there and I’d seen my friend take on the challenge with boldness, I began to think, hey, if she can do it, so can I!
That’s the great thing about confident people – the way they embrace new experiences with excitement is just contagious!
It’s a great lesson in learning how to expand your horizons and grow in confidence.
15) They surround themselves with positivity
You know what else is contagious? Positivity!
Think about it – if you were feeling nervous about starting something new, for example, would you rather be with someone who cheers you on or someone who points out everything that could go wrong?
For sure, you’d pick the one who makes you feel good, right?
And you’d be making the right decision – it’s true that a positive attitude does wonders for boosting our self-esteem and confidence.
That’s what confident people do. After all, no man is an island, and you need the right people around you to help you believe in yourself when the going gets tough.
Final thoughts
While it may seem daunting to incorporate all of these habits into your life, remember that confidence is a journey, not a destination. Just pick one or two habits to focus on at a time, and work on developing them consistently.
And remember, self-confidence isn’t just about yourself. When you embody these habits, you inspire others to do the same.
You can be a role model for those around you, showing them that confidence is something that can be learned and developed.
So, go ahead and give these habits a try. Who knows, you just might inspire someone out there to do the same!
