11 Habits of Confident People

One of the key attributes of successful leaders is confidence. After all, if you do not have confidence in yourself and your business, how can you expect your clients, your suppliers and your competition to?

Your mind is a powerful tool. The impact of your thoughts and words cannot be underestimated. They create your emotions. And your emotions create your actions. Confident people have greater control over their minds and have set their compass on “I can”.

Confidence is not something that just appears. It’s grown and established over time. To help get you started, here are 11 habits of confident people that you can apply to your life:

1. Know Yourself

Confident people have a true sense of self. They know what they like and they more importantly know what they don’t like. They know what they are good at, and know when to ask for help. Make time to find out who you are, what you like and where you want to go.

2. Don’t Overcomplicate Things

It’s easy to procrastinate. Know what you want, make a plan and take action.

3. Trust Your Instincts

Famed author Malcolm Gladwell once said, “There can be as much value in a blink of an eye as in months of rational analysis.” You know your business and yourself, trust what you know.

4. Get Out Your Comfort Zone

Nothing builds confidence like taking action. Start small and build your confidence with the level of risk you’re prepared to take. Find tools along the way from peers and mentors of how to overcome your fears.

5. View Failure as a Learning Opportunity

Confident people are not immune to failure. They simply don’t let if stop them. Next time you make a mistake, view it as an opportunity to learn how to do the task differently next time.

6. Be Careful of Your Language

Words are a powerful tool. They can disarm and inspire. Confident people don’t speak badly about themselves, they question their self-doubts and attach new feelings to the belief so inspire them.

7. Don’t Demean Others

Just as confident people do not dwell on failure or self-doubt, the also do not speak negatively of others. Boosting someone else’s confidence is far more inspiring and uplifting than demeaning them, for both them and you.

8. Take Responsibility

Confident people look for solutions. They do not spend time blaming others for their misfortune. They admit their weakness and seek education from those who have been there to learn how not to be in that situation again.

9. Don’t Take to Heart Others’ Opinions

Entrepreneurship can be scary. You may have people in your life that are all caution and no encouragement. While it’s important to listen to those people, do not take it to heart. You know yourself and your business. Have confidence in that.

10. Dedicate Your Energy to Things That Matter Most

Confident people know when to say no. Make sure you save time and energy for your priorities. People will respect you more for it.

11. Conscious Body Language

Body language not only inspires confidence in others but it works for you too. Want to stay focused? Sit up straight. Want to get to the truth of the matter? Make eye contact. Want to increase your confidence in what you’re saying? Nod your head while saying it. These small things will give you and your audience a boost.

Confidence building takes a lifetime. The more you practice the easier it becomes. So stand up straight, shoulders back, smile and think of what you will dedicate your energy to today.

Here to Help

No matter what stage of business, or what problem you face, Small Business BC offers a range of seminars and one-on-one advisory sessions to suit any business.

View More Articles