B099: How to boost your self-confidence

Need a quick boost of self-confidence? Don’t worry, I got you, girl! If you’re tuning in today, I’m willing to bet you’ve got a big meeting to attend soon or maybe a crucial phone call you really need to make. Or maybe you’re about to take the stage and speak at an upcoming conference or workshop. First off, well done, you! Look at you getting out there and #doingthething!

Earlier this week, I spoke with Sarah Jackson all about how to simplify your wardrobe & personal style, which reminded me of the power that can be found in a great outfit. I’m willing to bet you’ve got at least one go-to outfit in your closet right now that when you put it on, you feel amazing, right?

Well, let’s take the wisdom of that one simple step and expand on it today. What if there are other super simple ways to boost your self-confidence, right here and right now, without spending a ton of money or investing a boatload of time? The answer is YES.

Therefore, here are 5 simple ways to boost your self-confidence today, in a blink of an eye:

• clear your brain (and your desk)
• strike a pose
• squash the “stinkin’ thinkin’”
• get your body moving
• visualize yourself where you want to be

Let’s simplify that.

Here are 5 simple ways to boost your self-confidence today:

• Clear your brain (and your desk) 

Many times, what holds us back from being our true, radiant selves is all the swirling thoughts and junk in our brains, especially when we’re overwhelmed. It’s like you cannot see the forest for the trees, which basically means you might be so zoomed in on the details of a problem, that it’s super hard to look at the situation, as a whole. (Guilty, as charged.)

With all that chitter-chatter, your mindset can take a battering and your self-confidence will definitely start to waver… “do I have this? Yikes, this is a LOT to carry. I don’t know anymore!”

• TIP: set a 7-minute timer and do an official brain dump out onto paper. Grab a journal and a pen, then jot down everything you’re thinking about at the moment, whether it’s a task on your plate today or a worry or fear in your heart. Write it down, don’t edit as you go along, just get it up and out of you without judgement, so you can release the hold it might have on your self-confidence. 
  • Once the timer is finished, put a checkmark ONLY by the things that are either… 
    • A) really true, and 
    • B) are only yours to carry… 
      • spoiler alert: most of it isn’t yours to carry nor as “OMG-urgent-on-fire-freaking-out-mode,” as you think once you see it down on paper. 
• TIP: the second part of this tip is also to clear your desk… it’s amazing how liberated you’ll feel once you clear the piles of bills or clutter or nonsense that might be sitting on your desk right now! 
  • Now, let me be clear… do not fall down the rabbit hole of procrastination with this simple task and blame me that you lost a half day doing this! Again, this is a quick, 7-minute timer kind of task… you’re laser-focused in, listen to 1-2 of your favorite songs and get straight to #doingthething. 
  • However much you’ve cleared away in 7-minutes today is more than enough and it’ll certainly boost your self-confidence fast as you’ll have visual proof you’re clearing away the muck in your life, bit by bit.

• Strike a pose 

I’m sure you’ve heard of this already, so here’s your gentle reminder… Amy Cuddy’s “Power Poses” are the absolute JAM when you need a bit of a confidence boost! No matter how silly you might feel at first, take 30 seconds, stand up, hands on hips, chest out and stand like your favorite superhero would. This simple tip sends feel good chemicals to your brain, helping you more confident and ready to take on the world, I promise. 

• • TIP: I do this backstage before speaking at an event. I also do this in the bathroom, just before walking into an important meeting, too. 
    • And hey, this doesn’t have to be a solo exercise… try it with your team before you do a group presentation or try it at home with the kids at dinner tonight. 
    • The more you do it, the more natural it’ll feel to tap into your inner Undercover Superhero, which in my books as a Simplifier, is EVERYTHING!

• Squash the “stinkin’ thinkin’”

Remember that brain dump list you made earlier? Okay, it’s time now to tackle it and squash any negative thoughts or beliefs that might be lurking underneath it all. Truth is, your self-esteem is directly linked to your belief on whether you have the ability to change your current situation.

Do you feel trapped? Are you feeling like the underdog, playing by someone else’s rules? When you think about that big, scary interaction that’s on your calendar at 4pm today, do you feel like you’ve got zero control in the matter?

If yes, I want you to try this today instead… just a simple, teeny-tiny science experiment.

• • TIP: In the words of one of my favorite mentors, Marie Forleo, girl… “everything is figureoutable.” Like literally, every single, darn thing in life. Losing a client. Gaining a BIG client. Getting a negative review. Getting a weird email that you don’t know how to respond to. Being offered an opportunity to speak in front of 1000 people in a foreign country. Losing a loved one. Or even, a scary diagnosis.
    • Every single one of those things I’ve experienced in my career and in my lifetime… And I’m willing to bet that you have too, right? Well, guess what? Both you and I have had a 100% success rate of surviving that ISH!! Yes, we have! We’re still standing, we’re still here.
    • We might be a bit battered and bruised… or on the flip side with the good stuff we’ve been faced with, we’ve grown stronger and stronger… more resilient, wiser, and experienced. 
    • So here’s my simple experiment for today… Just for the next 24 hours, whenever your “stinkin’ thinkin’” flares up and your brain says, “I have zero control here. This is never going to get better. I can’t do anything to fix this” – I want you to write down on a piece of paper, over and over again the exact opposite:
    • “I have no need for absolute control here. This too shall pass and get better. I can fix a (teeny-tiny) part of this and will begin today.” 
      • When you write it down, it cements it into your brain. Repetition makes it real. Try this and tell me what comes up for you… tag me on Instagram (@thesimplifiers) and let’s spark a conversation.

• Get your body moving

Okay, it’s a “Captain Obvious” suggestion, but maybe more of a reminder for you. When you get your body moving, you’re releasing the nervous energy and grounding yourself to calm your nerves. Exercise is incredibly important and I’m finding great results when I book in at least 30 minutes in the gym 3-4 times a week before I let anyone else book in time into my calendar.

I’m even find running (ok, let’s be real… slow jogging and fast walking) on the treadmill gives me an incredible endorphin rush and now that I’m starting to see results from this type of consistent cardio workout, I feel more confident in my physical body.  

• • TIP: How will you get your body moving today? Even if it’s a 10-minute walk around the block, it counts! I especially like to do those quick walks during my afternoon slump (anytime 1-4pm), as it boosts my energy level without me reaching for another cup of coffee or sweet treat. 
    • Remember, even doing 20 jumping jacks or 3-minutes of stretching counts and your body will love you for it.

• Visualize where you want to be

If you’re navigating big change in your life or maybe you’ve got to be assertive and speak up in an important meeting, I’m finding the best way to keep confident in these situations is to remember where you want to be after it’s all said and done. 

• TIP: Take a moment to close your eyes and see yourself at the end result, whether that’s you walking across the stage and accepting the award or writing your victory speech or even if it’s a sweet moment where you see yourself sitting on your back patio with the fire pit ablaze and you’re surrounded by loved ones… whatever comes up for you in this moment, take note of it. 
  • Feel it with all five senses. Fully embody that experience now, so you can set your inner compass towards what’s most important to you as the final outcome, rather than worrying about the 80 billion steps you need to take, in between. 
  • Confidence comes from knowing you’re on the right path, deep down inside and you’re taking ownership on doing the work to get there.

Self-confidence isn’t something you check off a to-do list. 

It’s not a “one-and-done” situation but rather a lifetime practice of getting back to center, remembering who you are deep down inside, what you’re made of, and boldly stepping out in faith that whatever you’re faced with today (good or bad), you’re going to try your best and that will be enough. What you want today is totally within your reach. Go for it, be bold. 

One final whisper

I believe Walt Disney said it best…

“Somehow I can’t believe that there are any heights that can’t be scaled by a man who knows the secrets of making dreams come true. This special secret, it seems to me, can be summarized in four C s. They are curiosity, confidence, courage, and constancy, and the greatest of all is confidence. When you believe in a thing, believe in it all the way, implicitly and unquestionable.” 

– Walt Disney

Just think of all the incredible things he’s built in his lifetime and how he’s inspired others to dream bigger, step up and out in confidence, and all the while, held space for his curiosity.

And I want to encourage you to do the same. Whatever is shaking your confidence right now, remember that I’m cheering you on. When I say, “you can do this, I believe in you” every week on this podcast, I really, truly believe it. 

You are capable of great things. 

You have what it takes and your radiant spirit deep down inside always shines through when you’re doing your best work and serving others.

So, try my simple tips. Give them a go today:

• clear your brain (and your desk)
• strike a pose
• squash the “stinkin’ thinkin’”
• get your body moving
• visualize yourself where you want to be

Remember to reach out to someone (anyone) today who you know will build you up and cheer you on. Just say, “hey, I just a bit of a pep talk… remind me of who I am, friend” and I’m sure they’ll send you a loving message that’ll make you smile. And if you don’t have someone in your life like that, I want you to message me. I’ll be that person for you, promise.

You can do this, I believe in you.

It’s time to SIMPLIFY.