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Do you want to increase your self-confidence? Follow these 6 daily actions:

Confidence is not a static quality; it is a state of mind that requires effort to maintain when the going gets tough.

Even the greatest leaders lack self-confidence at certain times. Self-confidence is not a static quality; rather, it is a state of mind that requires considerable effort to maintain when the going gets tough. It must be learned, practiced, and mastered just like any other skill. But, once it is mastered, it offers an extremely positive change.

Here are six effective ways to build your self-confidence.

1. Get into the role

In a second, your body language can show confidence in yourself, or scream that you are insecure. Present yourself in a way that reflects that you are ready to take control of any situation. If you show confidence and believe in the role you aspire to achieve, not only will you feel in control: people will also have much more confidence in you.

Hold your head up, sit up straight, gently roll your shoulders back to align your spine, and look directly at the other person as you interact. Give a firm handshake and make eye contact when someone is speaking to you.

2. Dress for the occasion

When you look better, you feel better. If you choose clothes and accessories that fit well, suit your industry and lifestyle, and make you feel good, your self-esteem automatically rises. Present yourself by acting the role you intend to play, or in other words, dress for success. Don’t be afraid that your personality will stand out with the accessories you choose. A piece of jewelry or a colorful bow could start a good conversation.

3. Speak firmly

The next time you listen to your favorite speaker, analyze the way he delivers a speech. A great speaker speaks confidently, in a steady, rhythmic tone. Rather than use fillers like “uh” and “hmm” that interrupt the flow, he uses pauses to emphasize ideas.

Adopt an assertive, but not aggressive, way of speaking that is an indicator of your confidence. You will feel how your self-esteem begins to rise. To be taken seriously, avoid speaking in a high-pitched or nervous tone, or incorporating giggles into your speech. People will listen to you more closely when they see the leader radiating from within you.

4. Think and act optimistically

It is the law of karma: positive energy leads to positive results. Always look for the good side of things, avoid negative comments (more if they want to get out of you), because all they do is make you feel less safe and alienate others. Smile, laugh, and surround yourself with happy and positive people. You will feel better and the people you work with will enjoy being with you.

Keep a gratitude journal to remind yourself of the joyous moments of your day, as well as your accomplishments. You will develop more peace and confidence when you stay in a grateful frame of mind.

5. Take action

Having confidence in yourself goes beyond how you dress and present yourself: you must act as such. Approach a complete stranger at a networking event, or accept a project that you would normally decline. Practice showing your self-confidence and you’ll soon feel like you’re in your own skin.

Inaction breeds doubt and fear, while action breeds confidence and courage. As an exercise, write down your strengths and weaknesses. Most people will tell you to work on your weaknesses, but instead use what you have and capitalize on your strengths. Once you put more energy into your positive traits, your confidence will start to shine on its own.

6. Be prepared

Remember this motto: planning avoids bad results. The more prepared you are, the more confident you will feel about your experience and level of competitiveness. Being prepared will help you avoid slipping through life’s unexpected bumps.

Learn all you can about your industry, your topic of conversation, your goals, and what drives you to success. Before starting a task, imagine how you want to feel once you finish it. Don’t try to accomplish too much at once, break complex tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks.